Sunderland v Blackpool – Skybet League One Last time out Sunderland lost to Gillingham and Blackpool beat Fleetwood. Phil Parkinson is under mounting pressure with his struggling Sunderland squad desperate for a win and the Black Cats suffering their 8th defeat in 12 games last weekend. Parkinson has confirmed that Aiden McGeady is not training with the rest of the squad and will be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window, and that he will not be included in his squad from now on. Lynden Gooch is back in training and in contention to return to Sunderland’s matchday squad. The American has been out since the Black Cats’ 5-0 win against Tranmere Rovers in October with an ankle injury, but the 23-year-old will hope to make an instant return after coming through the last few training sessions unscathed. Simon Grayson returns to the Stadium of Light with Blackpool, and in a strange twist of fate he could inflict the final blow to Parkinson’s managerial tenure in a similar manner to when Parkinson’s Bolton side drew with Sunderland and Grayson was shown the door. The Seasiders will be without Ben Heneghan after the defender picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in last week's 3-1 win against Fleetwood Town, but Pool, who have won six of their last eight games in all competitions, are otherwise expected to be at full strength. Phil Parkinson: “Jordan Willis opened his knee up slightly in training, so we are going to have to monitor that.” “Dylan McGeouch has still got a problem with his calf. He came back into training earlier in the week but had an issue, so it will probably be next week before we see him on the training pitch.” “Lynden Gooch has trained the full week, and its great to see him back out there.” "We've spoke to Aiden about January and moving on, and I think it's fair to tell him now to give him an opportunity to sort something out. It gives me an opportunity to concentrate on the team going forward and I feel that it's the best decision.” “There's no doubt about that (the size of Saturday’s game). We don't play the following week. This result takes us into the Christmas period and it's a big game for us.” Simon Grayson: "Honestly it (the reception of supporters) doesn’t bother me, I wasn’t there long enough to build up too many relationships anyway." “I’m just focused on my team and what we need to go and do. It honestly has no extra significance this game compared to going to Gillingham, to Wimbledon, Wycombe or wherever." “It’s about what we can do as a team. We’re in a good position in the league, we want to keep building and we want to win a football match to help us to catch those teams that are above us in the division.” "It was a brief stay, as people will certainly be aware. I’m looking forward to going into the next game because we’re in a decent run of form and it’s a game that we’d like to go and win." “Regardless of me being there in the past, that doesn’t really play any significance to me. There’s no extra spice or anything like that." “It’s about what the players need to go and do to prepare in the same manner that we’ve prepared for every game this season, and go there and try and enjoy the experience of going to the biggest club in League One, with the biggest ground and the biggest fanbase." “There are some fantastic facilities there so it’s a big coup for any team that goes up there and wins, but we certainly go there in good spirits knowing that we’re capable of getting the victory.” Prutton predicts: 0-2 Match Appointments: Referee: OLLIE YATES Assistant Referees: Stephen Wade and Joe Simpson Fourth Offical: James Bell Team Line ups Sunderland: McLaughlan, O’Nien, Lynch, Willis, Hume, Power, Dobson, Gooch, McNulty, Watmore, Wyke Subs:Burge, McLaughlin, Ozturk, Leadbitter, Grigg, Maguire, Kimpioka Injured: Embleton, McGeouch Garden Leave: McGeady Blackpool: Alnwick, Turton, Scannell, Edwards, Husband, Feeney, Spearing, Virtue-Thick, Delfouneso, Gnanduillet, Kaikai Subs: Hardie, Thompson, Tilt, Nuttall, Sims, MacDonald Injured: tbc Suspended: Heneghan Betting Odds: Home 21/20 Away 13/5 Draw 11/5 My two pence: Another away game, another defeat and another poor performance. Time and patience is rapidly running out for the hapless Phil Parkinson. My mate from Bolton couldn't believe that we had actually signed him, and he warned me to expect awful hoof ball, and (apart from the Tranmere game) that sadly is exactly what we have seen. My guess is a 1-1 draw Ha’way the Lads
Cannot see us scoring, cannot see us getting a shot on target!! 0-3 a comfy win for the men in orange who have a better manager than us. We are sleepwalking to League 2. Bart
2-1 to us. Got to try and be positive, everything on social media SAFC related is doom and gloom Haway The Lads
Team for Saturday 4231 J mac C mac oz willis de bock Leadbitter power Watmore grigg hume Wyke Toss up between grigg and mcnulty to play behind charlie
That's the team innit. If Gooch isn't available then put Watmore there, O'Nien on the right and McLaughlin at RB, I know he's crap but what can you do. Alternatively push Hume up with De Bock at LB, I'd like to see that tried.
Did Grayson sign McGeady ? how ironic, 1970's last time we beat them at home ! bogey team. without mcGeady we might cop it now.
We won't miss him he's done nowt lately. Obviously a very talented player but not right for league one.