Sunderland welcome Hull City to the Stadium of Light in the Skybet League One Last time out Sunderland drew with Northampton and Hull beat Charlton. Sunderland had a disappointing start to 2021 after drawing 0-0 with struggling Northampton Town and will be looking for maximum points against high flying Hull. Lee Johnson's squad were forced to 'work from home' after the Academy of Light was closed due to positive Covid-19 tests for 14 squad members, and that lack of preparation showed in a very lack-lustre display. Hull beat Charlton 2-0 to move into second place behind leaders Lincoln, the Tigers having previously lost three games in a row. Former Black Cat, George Honeyman, will be the one to watch from the Hull City squad. He has provided 8 assists and scored 2 goals so far this season. Lee Johnson: "It’s the thriving in the uncertainty that is the key. In one sense, I was proud of them today (at Northampton). In one sense, I was frustrated.” "I feel like we need to continue the form that we showed at Lincoln. The team that we played today, bar one, was the same, and at that point your thinking ‘Right, there’s something to build on" but in fairness, there’s been a lot that’s gone on in between. You can’t have excuses though. We’ve got to believe when no one else does. That cause has to be created from within.” "Hull are a very strong side. They’ve done a great job so far having come down last season, and they have energy and physicality. “They’ve got options amongst their squad, and they tick a lot of League One and Championship boxes. You can see that in their game style that they’re very organised, difficult to break down and comfortable taking the ball." Grant McCann: “I was a bit worried going into the game today, in that sometimes you can have two good training sessions but not perform in the game, but I thought that we did today, against a team that I have no doubt will be in and around the top end of the league come the end of the season.” “We had a really young back four out there today, we coped with everything that they threw at us, and we looked really threatening at the other end. I’m pleased with the result.” “On the injury front, we’ll be without Jordy de Wijs and Martin Samuelsen, they’ve both got calf strains. Keane Lewis-Potter has picked up a little problem with a tendon in his hamstring and hasn’t trained this week so he’s touch-and-go, but we’ll give him every opportunity to be available for the weekend. Callum Jones isn’t too far away now.” Match Appointments: Referee: TBC Assistant Referees: Fourth Official: Team Line ups Sunderland: Burge, McClaughlin, Flanagan, Wright, Sanderson, Leadbitter, Power, Embleton, McGeady, Wyke, Diamond. Subs: Matthews, Willis, Dobson, Neil, Maguire, Grigg, Gooch. Injured: Xhemajli, Kimpioka, O’Nien, Hume Hull City: Long, Emmanuel, Jones, Greaves, Fleming, Smallwood, Honeyman, Docherty, Wilks, Eaves, Mayer. Subs: Coyle, Batty, Ingram, McLoughlin, Slater, Lewis-Potter. Injured: Jones, Samuelsen, de Wijs Betting Odds: Home 13/10 Away 2/1 Draw 11/5 My two pence: After watching one of the worst games I’ve seen for quite some time, I was looking forward to a quiet weekend, but now they have gone and rearranged one of our postponed fixtures, and not only that they are going to broadcast it live on Sky. Hopefully with another week of training we will look a lot better than last weekend - well I hope so anyway. I’m going for a 1-0 home win. Live stream £10 https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
as every a well done thread thank you, As for the match ive gone for a win he has had enough training sessions now to decide on his best team, how he wants to play and tactics to use, gone for a confident win, anything else i will find it hard to swallow, if we are to move on and up we do need to see a massive improvement on how the squad progress, and a big improvement on the determination shown in attack, we are supposed to have a strong squad for this league on paper.
Great thread again RTB. Gone for a draw in this one, but if we are serious about going up then 3 points is a must.
oops ive just had another look at the team put forward Scowen and Power together needs an immediate change, those two together have shown enough times how woeful they are
This is a welcome match in the midst of confusion and concern. I'm intent on enjoying it and will suspend all disbelief. I'm going to forget about Covid, the injury problems and whether the season will be disrupted or voided. That said, it's a really important game for Lee Johnson and the club who know they're under scrutiny from the supporters who are looking for a boost from the new regime. I'm going for a good win as I think Johnson has little option but to go for the 3 points. 3-0 and a new start for us all ... ... Haway the Lads!!!
Big test this, hoping for any kind of home win and I think we’ll get it, few beers and a pizza for me on Saturday night, sorted
This is a massive game if we still hold any hope of promotion. We need the win imo. The Northampton showing has made me very cautious, but I'm going for a home win and a good performance from the lads.
Do you know I’m stuck right in the bloody middle I really want a win of any description but then I remember I support Sunderland and I am not going to let my heart rule my head again been let down every bloody time up to now so I am going for a 2 1 defeat.
I think we shade it, just a hunch. Delighted it’s on Sky as these streams are ****ing garbage. UHD as well no less, super. 2-1 the lads.
Sunderland have beaten their local rivals 6 times on the trot, have been to the new Wembley 3 times recently and been taken over by a billionaire ... ... time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and look to the future imo.
great thread again RTB. I'm hoping for a home win 2-0 or 2-1 and for some reason I'm feeling confident so Ha'Way Lads let's get a good run going. Ha'Way the Lads and FTM while we're at it.
Me too but I hope it all comes right this time ... ... really don't see the point in thinking otherwise tbh. Leicester supporters would agree.
Change my mind on this one. Gone for a win for the lads. Can’t be fearing a team who’s fans sing ‘mauled by the tigers’ ffs.