Sunderland welcome Port Vale to the Stadium of Light in the Papa John’s EFL Trophy. Last time out Sunderland drew with Hull and Port Vale beat Grimsby. Lee Johnson will be looking for a reaction to his post match interview as the Black Cats manager is ready to show his teeth. New signing Carl Winchester in not eligible to play in the Papa John’s trophy having played for Forest Green in this competition, so he will have to sit this one out alongside Dion Sanderson who played for Wolves in the earlier rounds. Danny Pugh kicked off his caretaker manager role with a 3-0 home win which lifted Vale eight points clear of relegation, the 90 minutes showed a difference in quality between Vale and a side in danger of sliding out of the Football League. The owners might still decide to go for experience and a proven record. It’s up for debate whether the Cowley brothers, suggested by plenty of supporters, would be prepared to take a job in League Two having last managed in the Championship with Huddersfield. Lee Johnson: "We worked extremely hard against a good side, I thought Hull had the better of the first half and we had the better of the second half." "We have a couple who need to do more, if I'm honest, we need to show that devilment for 96 minutes. I thought our reaction to the transition was outstanding, the press. We won it back a lot within six seconds, even if that sometimes came from us giving it away." "There's still a bit to do and I think I've got to show my teeth a bit now, and demand that execution in the final third. Our set pieces, for example, weren't good enough, so that's something to improve on." "The lads are showing maximum effort, which does give us a good opportunity to turn those draws into wins. The work rate was there, but in my head, there are a couple that aren't showing elite mentality." "It's not through a lack of willing to win, it's almost a confidence-swing thing. One minute it's a four, then it's a nine, then it's a four, then it's a nine – but I'm saying, 'No, we need be consistent with eight, nine, eight, seven'. There are too many things that affect people – 'I'm a little bit tired today' or 'I've got a sniffle' or ‘I've missed a chance' or 'I've missed that header'. "We have to find ways to influence each other and bring our best game out. We have to find ways to influence the game, and be better with our game management in various moments of the match." Danny Pugh: (Caretaker Manager) “As I said before the game, I have been asked to look after the team until further notice and I am going to do that to the best of my ability. There are going to be a lot of people interested in the job, but as it stands I will just prepare for the next game and see where that takes us.” “These are early days. It is a question I am going to be asked. I have enjoyed this week. It is a big job, there is a long way to go but I am pleased with the result and we will focus on Tuesday’s game now.” Match Appointments: Referee: DECLAN BOURNE Assistant Referees: Kevin Mulraine and Gareth Mellor Fourth Official: Garreth Rhodes Team Line ups Sunderland: Patterson, Mclaughlin, Taylor, Younger, Wright, Neil, Scowen, Embleton, Gooch, Curry, Diamond. Subs: Matthews, McFadzean, Willis, O’Brien, Maguire, Hawkes. Injured: Xhemajli, Kimpioka, O’Nien, Hume, Flanagan, Grigg Port Vale: Brown, Brisley, Smith, Montano, Mills, Conlon, Joyce, Hurst, Worrall, Pope, Rodney. (4-4-2) Subs: Amoo, Whitehead, Robinson, Ben, Cullen, Campbell. Injured: Hanson, Scannell, Oyeleke Betting Odds: Home 1/2 Away 9/2 Draw 11/4 My two pence: It will be interesting to see if Lee Johnson acts on his post-match interview after the Hull game. I hope that he uses this game to try something different, I don’t care if we go out of this competition – it means nothing, and getting out of the league is far more important. I’m going for a 3-0 home win. Live stream £10 https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Sanderson cup tied mate. HA'WAY THE LADS MACKEMS ATTACKEM Hope he gives some young uns a go in this and rests a few.
Thanks again RTB for keeping the ball rolling, your a star, I hope the team looks something like the one you have posted and probably will, it will be interesting to see how a front line without the "Target " men of Wyke and the other two will operate. I'm looking forward at the very least to more movement up front than is currently on offer, so that rules out Graham for good, and I only hope that LJ is now of the same opinion. OaU.
Looks like radio unless you wanna pay £10 mate 2020-21 SEASONAL PACKAGES International supporters can now purchase a 36-game seasonal pass at the pro-rata price of £115.65. This ensures that all 2019-20 pass holders who received the first eight games of the current campaign free of charge can watch all the action without having to pay game-by-game. The 36-game international pass includes: Live stream of every league game not chosen for TV broadcast Watch the pre-match and half-time show Audio commentary of all games during the 2020-21 season (all competitions) Full 90-minute replay of all games (available from 12 noon the following day) https://safc.com/news/team-news/liv...8tuTk75dGPrFe5qViQtmlzwgwCh18mUvjbVHhGunF-LMg
Thanks - I originally had Flanagan and Winchester in the team, then found out that Winchester was cup tied and Flanagan was injured. I've gone with Wright as I'm not sure if Willis is ready yet - it will probably change after the presser anyway
Great thread again RTB. Would be happy with that team. Curry should definitely be getting a run out. Wouldn’t mind Maguire getting a start either.
Jamie McAllister has given an update on the fitness of the Sunderland squad heading into Tuesday night’s Papa John’s Trophy third round tie with Port Vale. The last 16 contest at the Stadium of Light represents a chance to reach the quarter-finals of the competition, and the Assistant Head Coach has shed light on the latest regarding the team. “Dion Sanderson and Carl Winchester are cup-tied for the match, so they won’t be involved,” McAllister said. “Jordan Willis was suffering with an illness over the weekend, but he’s now a lot better and trained Monday – he looks good. “It’s potentially a great opportunity for some lads to get a chance to play, and stake their claim for the league games going forward. There are a few little niggles from the weekend, but we’re managing them and it’s about getting the right balance to have enough to get through.”
It's time we won a game at home as it seems a while since we did, give the kids a go upfront and play with no fear 3-0 would do nicely thanks very much.
Great thread, really interesting comments from LJ. I've been in virtual lockdown since March so there's no way I'm missing out on watching us tonight. It's a no pressure game, in some ways, so I'm expecting a more attacking game and fringe players trying to catch the eye. I'm sure we're all hoping for a good performance and the manager imposing his systems. He has a definite plan which is an improvement on the previous two managers who seemed to pick and team then cross their fingers. I'm hoping for a good dynamic performance and any kind of injury free win.
The team I've been told, (keeper selection tbc) 4-2-3-1 Keeper Power Willis Wright McFazdean Scowen Neil Gooch Embleton Maguire O'Brien
At graft so haven't read all of the posts but if LJ has Wyke, Grigg or Graham playing or on the bench I hope he self combusts. They are all f*cking w*nk. We need to try something else. Put the bairns in and give them a go. Benji n Curry could simply not be worse.