Blackpool v Sunderland – Skybet League One Last time out Sunderland lost at Bristol and Blackpool lost to Tranmere. Sunderland's trip to Blackpool will go ahead as normal this weekend amid the spread of coronavirus. There had been reports that football games in England could be played behind closed doors, but an EFL statement has confirmed that Sunderland's trip to Blackpool will go ahead as planned, with supporters present. The Black Cats will be looking to salvage their season after a string of poor results have left Phil Parkinson’s team in 7th place, having played more games than their promotion rivals. Blackpool are as unpredictable as Sunderland, having fought for a point in the derby with Fleetwood they then surrendered at home to lowly Tranmere. Gateshead born striker Gary Madine missed the Tranmere game due to injury, but he is desperate to be fit for this game. Phil Parkinson: “I thought we started OK, had decent control, and passed it reasonably well, but then we just got caught up with the referee’s decisions, the crowd, we got too emotional, and we stopped playing.” “We have spoken about it before away from home - Portsmouth was an example where the crowd were on at the ref, decisions went against us, and it affected our play - and it happened today.” “Everyone ended up having arguments, but then you have to get back to playing again and we didn’t do that.” “We lost our way tonight and that was not a good enough performance in terms of the way we have been playing and the way that we can play.” “It’s almost like we wanted to win so much that we forgot what we needed to do to win” Neil Critchley: “We’re hoping he (Madine) will train later today, if not then hopefully tomorrow.” “There’s a chance with Gary. He’s feeling a little bit better and with him being a Geordie and this being Sunderland, I’m sure that he’ll be doing everything he can to be a part of the game on Saturday. I know he’ll be desperate to be involved." Prutton predicts: 2-1 Match Appointments: Referee: PETER WRIGHT Assistant Referees: Alan Clayton and Gary Hilton Fourth Official: Simon Mather Team Line ups Sunderland: McLaughlin, O’Nien, Flanagan, Ozturk, Willis, Hume, Power, Dobson, Gooch, Maguire, Lafferty. Subs:Burge, McLaughlin, Scowen, Lynch, Grigg, Semenyo, Watmore. Injured: Embleton, Wright Blackpool: Maxwell, Moore, Heneghan, Husband, Feeney, Virtue-Thick, Dewsbury-Hall, Ronan, MacDonald, Delfouneso, Nuttall Subs: Howe, Edwards, Spearing, Garrity, Gnanduillet, Ward, Sims Injured: Kaikai,Madine Betting Odds: Home 23/10 Away 6/5 Draw 21/10 My two pence: This game was always going to be important as we head into the international break, but suddenly it seems like the result of this game could either make or break our season. Surely we can’t play any worse than on Tuesday night (luckily I missed that one). My guess is a 1-0 away win. RIP @grandpops Ha’way the Lads
Don’t think it’s a must win, more of a must not lose. we need to put a run together until the last game if we’ve any hope of automatic.
Thanks again good OP Of course this is not a must win...we are past that when we did not beat Coventry and Fleetwood and were poor in the games after that. If we play anything like we did against Bristol we will get stuffed...we are now hoping for a place in the play offs..tough ask imho
Wow! I didn't see that coming. Makes me even more annoyed about the Bristol Rovers game. This outbreak puts footy into perspective though.
I now predict we won't Loose or Draw tomorrow...........unfortunately we won't get 3 points either!!!!! Bollocks! will have to find something else to occupy my Saturday
This is what the expert yesterday was trying to say. Everyone (by that I mean not everyone) due to go to a match will now end up somewhere else, pub etc still mixing with many other people but in a much smaller area than a stadium.
they have went overboard with this like it is a joke, you should have a choice if you want to go or not. TB and flu etc have being going on since football started yet this has not stopped sport before. any snooker or darts on i hope for the next 3 weeks to watch. there will be some fixture pile ups as well. by the way we could watch Gateshead or Hartlepool when they play at home, non league is not affected for some reason.
This has killed many people in countries across the world. As things stand there's no vacine and no cure. It may become the biggest killer we've had, no one knows. It's not a joke.
Unfortunately in todays society they've got no choice with OH&S laws around the world. If, and it's a big if, a player or club staff member was to contract it and die, the club/league could have a law suit on their hands for putting their employees at risk.
