Match Day Thread Sunderland v Ipswich Town - Saturday 8th February - KO 15:00

Sunderland v Ipswich Town – Skybet League One

Last time out Sunderland lost at Portsmouth and Ipswich lost to Peterborough
The Black Cats had a busy January transfer window with 5 new recruits (Semenyo, John, Scowen, Wright & Lafferty) and 3 moving on (McGeady, McGeouch & McNulty)
Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson is expected to make changes, with new signings Josh Scowen, Antoine Semenyo, Declan John and Kyle Lafferty all in contention to make a start.
The Tractor Boys have slipped to fourth in League One ahead of Saturday’s trip to The Stadium of Light and have now suffered back-to-back defeats. Paul Lambert will be looking for a reaction from his side with both clubs battling for promotion.
Phil Parkinson:
"It was disappointing to concede two goals from set-pieces, but we have got to dust ourselves down and be ready to go again next week."
“If you look at the first half, we should have had two penalties and it is hugely frustrating - we needed the officials to be stronger today, but unfortunately those big calls didn’t go our way”
“Antoine did well but it wasn’t ideal for him because we had moved him round a few times positionally due to the injury.”
“He will get better, particularly when we have had time to work with him on the training ground.”
Paul Lambert:
"The lads will bounce back, they'll bounce back as quick as they can. We're five points off it, it's not a major disaster.”

Prutton predicts: meh
Match Appointments:
Referee: JEREMY SIMPSON
Assistant Referees: Richard Wild and Philip Dermott
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott

Team Line ups
Sunderland: McLaughlin, O’Nien, Ozturk, Wright, Willis, Hume, Power, Scowen, Gooch, Maguire, Lafferty

Subs: Burge, McLaughlin, Dobson, Robson, Watmore, Semenyo, Grigg
Injured: Embleton, Leadbitter, Lynch

Ipswich Town Norris, Chambers, Wilson, Woolfenden, Edwards, Downes, Skuse, Kenlock Judge, Jackson, Keane.
Subs: Holy, Donacien, Norwood, Nolan, Sears, Dozzell, Huws.
Injured: Garbutt, Edwards, Bishop

Betting Odds:
Home 11/10 Away 12/5 Draw 9/4

My two pence:
After the unbeaten run came to an end we need to bounce back quickly and start winning again. Ipswich are going through a dip in form themselves, and with a few tweaks to the team I think we’ll get back on track.
My guess is a 2-0 home win

Ha’way the Lads

 

I thought we looked better with wyke than Lafferty.
Not knocking lafferty and hopefully like said we bounce straight back.
I just want us out of this league now by hook or by crook.


HA'WAY THE LADS

MACKEMS ATTACKEM

 

according to SAFC.com we have not played portsmouth yet and the ipswich game is 0-0...earlier in the week it also offered full highlights

 

They must have done what most companies do within their IT departments - get rid of the experienced (more expensive) people and either overload one of their colleagues with all the extra work or replace them with a graduate trainee

 

Big game this one, we need the winning habit to return with a bang. 3-0 will do nicely. OaU

 

SAFC.com is piss poor.

 

3-0 to the lads i have tickets for the next 2 home games, bring them on !

 

Reflects how the club is being run.
2-1 win to the lads hhhaaawwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy

 

Good OP, thanks..

No ifs or buts, we have to win to keep in contact with play-offs nevermind automatic promotion

 

2-0 the lads.

Lafferty brace

 

On night shifts this weekend so will be watching the game without having a pre match drink..

 

I'm going For 1 1. I'm being cautious

 

Scowen has to start instead of Dobson. I'd play semenyo up front with Lafferty with Gooch behind personally.

 

As is the norm now a scrappy 1-0 will suffice but would be happy to return to the games being won by HT if poss.

 

Heart says 2-1, head says 1-1.

 

Brave Man! I don' think I could manage that

 

PP has indicated that Flanagan is replacing Lynch on Saturday, is this the popular choice, I would prefer Ozturk personally.

 

not sure we can have wright and Ozturk in the same 3 man defence. a tad immobile, so can see Flannels coming in. Wright hasn't exactly eaened his spot, bit is Ozzy fit?

 

Im just assuming he’s took a knock somewhere to lose his spot as I thought he was playing well.

hopefully he’s just waiting for another chance.

 

Nah mate i'm a fat **** with dodgy knees