Match Day Thread Sunderland v Lincoln City - Wednesday 17th February - KO 18:00

Sunderland welcome Lincoln City to the Stadium of Light in the Semi-Final of the Papa John’s Trophy.

Last time out Sunderland beat Doncaster and Lincoln drew with Accrington.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was in attendance for the last two Sunderland games but still awaits the approval from the EFL to take charge of the club as the major shareholder.
The Black Cats will be in confident mood going into Wednesday’s Papa John’s Trophy semi-final having beaten promotional rivals Doncaster Rovers 4-1 at the weekend. Charlie Wyke has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season and will be keen to add to that tally.
Dion Sanderson, Jake Vokins & Carl Winchester are all cup-tied.
Lincoln City dropped two points but still increased their lead at the top of the League One table after being held to a 2-2 draw by Accrington Stanley. The game was quickly rescheduled for an 18:00 Sunday kick-off following Saturday's postponement due to a frozen pitch. Michael Appleton's men now sit four point clear of second-placed Hull City, who lost at home on Saturday to MK Dons. Former Black Cat, Liam Bridcutt is facing a 4-6 week layoff to recover from a calf injury.
Lee Johnson:
"It's big, I want to get a new suit and go to Wembley!"
"I've played at Wembley before [for Bristol City in the 2008 play-off final] and it's always a fantastic occasion. We want to get there."
"We've got a few issues [defensive injuries] for this one, no doubt."
"But we want to give the fans as much of a feel-good factor as we can."
"I think that was what was so disappointing about losing to Shrewsbury last week, we could see and feel that we'd let people down."
"The win against Doncaster was a great response to that and hopefully we keep that feel-good factor going by winning this one."
"We've got five centre-halves out so we're going to have to adjust there a little bit that's no secret. We have got players who can play there"
"Luke O'Nien has played at centre-half before. You've got [Conor] McLaughlin that could step inside one."
"I've always wanted to get a team of centre-midfielders out anyway because I think they're generally pretty good at everything."
"I'm biased because I was one!
"We've got some players who are unavailable because they were cup-tied the likes of [left-back] Jake Vokins and Dion Sanderson as well.
"We'll be strong we're going to win the game. In forward areas we've got an abundance of riches."
Michael Appleton:
“I try and concentrate on the positives, and the positives are the way that we reacted in the second half. We put them on the back foot.”
“Considering we only played for 45 minutes, to be disappointed to only get one point against a decent side is a good thing, but it is frustrating.
“Having said that, watching us play in the second half in the manner that we did, I’ve got to be happy.
“It’s a good position to be in. It’s fine having games in hand, but you have to go and do the job and win the game.
“With the fixtures the way they are, what we don’t want to do is put ourselves in a situation where we have to play four games in a week, which some teams might have to.”
(Liam Bridcutt injury) “It looks like it’s going to be four to six weeks. It’s disappointing because he’s a big part of what we do. We don’t lose many games when he’s in the team because he does such a fantastic job for us.”

Match Appointments:
Referee: BEN TONER
Assistant Referees: Andrew Dallison and David Hunt
Fourth Official: James Bell

Team Line ups
Sunderland: Burge, Power, McLoughlin, Wright, McFadzean, O’Nien, Neil, Scowen, McGeady, Wyke, Jones.

Subs: Patterson, Taylor, Leadbitter, O'Brien, Gooch, Curry, Diamond
Injured: Xhemajli, Kimpioka, Hume, Stewart, Flanagan, Winchester, Willis, Younger

Lincoln City: (4-3-3) Palmer, Eyoma, Montsma, Walsh, Bramall, Jones, Grant, McGrandles, Johnson, Hopper, Scully.
Subs: Long, Jackson, Gotts, Sanders, Edun, Anderson.
Injured: Bridcutt

Betting Odds:
Home 13/10 Away 7/4 Draw 21/10

My two pence:
What a team eh! - who am I to even question the wisdom of Lee Johnson
I think LJ will put out a strong team with a few changes and hopefully it will be enough to beat the mighty Lincoln.
I am going for a 2-0 home win – Wem-ber-leey

Live on Sky Sports Football from 17:30

Ha’way the Lads

 

3-1

 

Would like a win obviously, wouldn't be broken hearted if we don't, but no injuries or daft cards, a win would be good for confidence. Great thread again RTB.

 

CRACKING THREAD AGAIN MATE... GONE FOR THE WIN MUCH MORE CONFIDENT NOW CAN ENVISAGE A 3 OR 4 SCORE FOR US fek just noticed caps bugger

 

Sanderson and Viking are cup tied.

 

Yeah - well spotted

 

Such a shame Stewart can't play, perfect debut imo.

I hope O'Brien is played as the main striker and is selfish.

This is a good opportunity for Jones to let loose and the other players need too be switched on when he has the ball. They were simply watching him too much in his previous game.

We've been a little too intense in some games, and we should just relax in this one ...

... pass the ball quickly and often, 3-0 and Wembley.

 

Great post Zen......2 - 0 and Wembley beckons....the 'goat' to get both.

 

HA'WAY THE LADS

MACKEMS ATTACKEM

Any win will do, but with no extra time please.

 

Just get the win - I’m going for 5-3.

Bart

 

Isn’t Younger injured as well. Hope not I am looking forward to seeing him for a full 90 mins

 

Younger is injured like. McLaughlin or O’Nien in at CB alongside Bailey Wright (who LJ wants to rest but can’t due to so many injuries at CB).

 

Cracking thread as always. A win would be great and another Wembley final for the club. I am like a few others would be nice but not overly bothered about the fixture just don’t need anymore injuries. The back 4 would be a worry with all the injuries and I think O Nien will be in the starting line up. Tight game but I will go for a win on penalties just to add to the excitement and tension.

 

Johnson hasn't moaned about the injuries ...

... so I'll do it for him, FFS these injuries man

 

https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/20...yer-liam-bridcutt-is-a-huge-loss-for-the-imps

 

He better not. Most of the injuries have been inflicted upon already injured players, usually during training or recovery.

 

RTB

I should be excited about this game but its not the case.

I wonder between the two teams who will not start the most of the usual suspects?

Lincoln like us need to save their best players for the league.

I reckon, Matthews in goal, ie Burge rested. I would not start Wyke or Mcgeady. Likewise the young loanee Volkins (sp) starts at LB, not sure how many CBs are fit atm, so our academy player should start, likewise Neil and Diamond O'Brien up front and Jones. I think 09, Leads and Scowen should be rested.

I am not sure who may be cup-tied.

Do not risk key players needed Saturday.

 

I think he should rest him regardless tbh. Let's be honest, this cup is a very minor trophy, no one is particularly arsed about it and we can't even go to Wembley to watch the final. All that matters is getting promotion. Don't get me wrong, there's only one match after this so it would be good to get through, but with Willis out for the season we simply can't afford to lose Wright as well. Play McLaughlin and onien together at the back if we need to. Still think we should have enough to win tbh and it removes a daft risk. Lose Wright and, imo, we don't go up

 

Obviously

please log in to view this image

 

This for me as well. Burton is by far the more important game this week