Sunderland (H) v Middlesbrough (A)

Saturday 7th October

KO 12:30 - Stadium of Darkness, Barad-dûr, Mordor

Sky Sports Main Event

 

Form (Right is recent)

Sunderland

WWLWW

Middlesbrough

DWWWW

 

Very happy with our decisive 2-0 win last time out against Cardiff. Jones and Hackney were absolutely suberb, the defence seems to have improved (Although admittedly far from perfect yet) and the squad looks hungry to climb the table. I think we can all agree we'll need them to channel this hunger going into an away fixture against Sunderland. Playing at their ground is always a challenge and Mogga knows his stuff. He might be a boro legend but he's a classy manager that wants to win no matter the cost, and I can see this one being our hardest challenge yet. Both sides will pull no punches and both fans will be out in force.

 

Predicted Teams

Boro

I'd like to see Coburn continue to start up front and Hackney in midfield with Fry at the back. Having local lads leading the charge seems like a way to get the newer players passionate about the game, and keep everyone on their toes. I'm torn on our LB situation, as Engel definitely improved as last game came on and he seemed to find the confidence that was missing previously. With Bangura back I'd think about playing him, mainly because I'm worried Engel might not be as much as a physical presence as needed.

This would be my lineup:

 

Sunderland

Sitting 4th in the table, they've been doing very well this season and Mogga seems to have crafted an admittedly great selection of young players. Beating Watford 2-0 at home and Sheff Wed 3-0 away, Sunderland are to be reckoned with. Alex Pritchard is out after not appearing against Watford could be a hit, but they lok to have some great cohesion within the squad and this is absolutely Boros biggest challenge so far this season.

This is their lineup last time out:

 

Insights:

1. Sunderland are looking to win consecutive league games against Middlesbrough for the first time since September 2008.

2. Tony Mowbray has lost only two of his 10 league encounters with Middlesbrough, winning three of his last four home league games against them.

3. Middlesbrough ended a run of eight away league games without a win with their 3-2 victory over Watford, last winning successive such games in February.

 

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

2. What's your favourite method of leaving Sunderland?

3. Engel or Bangura?

O'Brien out for 2-3 months.

Sounds like multiple players are still recovering from the illness that was going around.

Also seemed like Carrick was hinting at another player being out long term with injury, but I may be reading too much in to it.

 

10 minutes ago, MRe said:

Sunderland (H) v Middlesbrough (A)

Saturday 7th October

KO 12:30 - Stadium of Darkness, Barad-dûr, Mordor

Sky Sports Main Event

 

Form (Right is recent)

Sunderland

WWLWW

Middlesbrough

DWWWW

 

Very happy with our decisive 2-0 win last time out against Cardiff. Jones and Hackney were absolutely suberb, the defence seems to have improved (Although admittedly far from perfect yet) and the squad looks hungry to climb the table. I think we can all agree we'll need them to channel this hunger going into an away fixture against Sunderland. Playing at their ground is always a challenge and Mogga knows his stuff. He might be a boro legend but he's a classy manager that wants to win no matter the cost, and I can see this one being our hardest challenge yet. Both sides will pull no punches and both fans will be out in force.

 

Predicted Teams

Boro

I'd like to see Coburn continue to start up front and Hackney in midfield with Fry at the back. Having local lads leading the charge seems like a way to get the newer players passionate about the game, and keep everyone on their toes. I'm torn on our LB situation, as Engel definitely improved as last game came on and he seemed to find the confidence that was missing previously. With Bangura back I'd think about playing him, mainly because I'm worried Engel might not be as much as a physical presence as needed.

This would be my lineup:

 

Sunderland

Sitting 4th in the table, they've been doing very well this season and Mogga seems to have crafted an admittedly great selection of young players. Beating Watford 2-0 at home and Sheff Wed 3-0 away, Sunderland are to be reckoned with. Alex Pritchard is out after not appearing against Watford could be a hit, but they lok to have some great cohesion within the squad and this is absolutely Boros biggest challenge so far this season.

This is their lineup last time out:

 

Insights:

1. Sunderland are looking to win consecutive league games against Middlesbrough for the first time since September 2008.

2. Tony Mowbray has lost only two of his 10 league encounters with Middlesbrough, winning three of his last four home league games against them.

3. Middlesbrough ended a run of eight away league games without a win with their 3-2 victory over Watford, last winning successive such games in February.

 

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

2. What's your favourite method of leaving Sunderland?

3. Engel or Bangura?

Coulson up top is a strange choice but in @MRe we trust 😂

1 minute ago, Blanco said:

Coulson up top is a strange choice but in @MRe we trust 😂

Definitely not a mistake, it came to me in a cryptic dream

13 minutes ago, MRe said:

Boro

I'd like to see Coburn continue to start up front and Hackney in midfield with Fry at the back. Having local lads leading the charge seems like a way to get the newer players passionate about the game, and keep everyone on their toes.

 

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

2. What's your favourite method of leaving Sunderland?

3. Engel or Bangura?

I loved Fry's decisive passion in January. 

1. Head? 3-1 to them. Heart? 1-1

2. As fast as possible.

Funnily enough, this is the one match that my partner wanted to go to, but the tickets went on sale right after I'd spat my dummy out about away matches at Blackburn.

She only wanted to go so we could eat at Mexico 70, a really nice taco restaurant in Sunderland, but it's the first time she's ever wanted to go to a match that I haven't.

3. Engel for me, he played well against Cardiff and I think it would be a huge knock to his already fragile confidence to be dropped for the next match.

It might be a mistake, but we'll see.

4-0 to boro

Looking forward to the ''it's not a derby'' Derby!

Would love to win this (obviously) but would be happy with a draw. There'll most likely be goals so I'm going for 2-2

Keep Roberts quiet is a key factor, seems as if Covid has returned to the Boro ranks which is a pity but not surprising as the bloody thing is increasing once again.

At this moment will happily settle for a draw

Not feeling especially confident about this one, Mogga's teams always seem to do us and they're at home and we have a mystery bug (probably covid) roaming through the camp.

Let's sneak it 2-1. Oh, team you say?

Really want to see Lath playing behind Coburn, and I wouldn't drop Engel after his confidence boosting performance against Cardiff. Bangura can come on 2nd half to run tired Sunderland legs ragged 👍

Edited October 6, 20232 yr by Denzel Zanzibar

Sunderland have started the season a lot better than I expected after replacing some of their best players from last year with kids. Will be interesting to see if they can keep the pace after Christmas or if they 'do a mogga' and capitulate in the second half of the season. 

 

1. What's your score prediction?

A hard fought 2-2 

 

2. What's your favourite method of leaving Sunderland?

 Human cannonball

 

3. Engel or Bangura?

I'd stick with Engel for now. He'll be confident. 

Where’s @Georgewhitt what’s your thoughts on this game marra 

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

I just don't know!

Season form says we'll get hammered.

Recent (last 10 away games) says we've got a chance.

Current form of both teams suggests a draw.

Only thing I'm pretty sure of is it won't be 0-0. Thar be goals in this here game. Only question is who will score more?

Will be more than satisfied with a draw so tentatively predict SUNDERLAND 2 - 2 MIDDLESBROUGH

2. What's your favourite method of leaving Sunderland?

well either that, or...

3. Engel or Bangura?

Much as I'm happy Engel had a good game last time out, I think we're going to need a better class of player at the Stadium of Shi...er...Light. Then again, Bangura doesn't exactly have a lot of game time under his belt. Also, has he fully recovered from his injury?

All things being equal I'd go with Bangura, but Engel seems to be finding his feet and as others have said, it might be a knock to his confidence if he was dropped.

Who would be a manager, huh?

 

OVERALL:    W51  D38  L62

AWAY:        W14  D20  L39

 

Last 10 (A):  W5    D2    L3  (22nd February 2003)

There haven't been any goalless draws in the last 10 away games, though there have been a few high-scoring games (4-6 goals). Over this time Boro have managed 15 goals, while Sunderland scored 13.

It's proper tough team selection for Carrick tomorrow as its important we get through this game retaining confidence and don't get humiliated. 

It is a difficult one LB as Engel was great in the 2nd half against Cardiff going forward however he never got tested defensively and against Sunderlands pacy kids I fear he's destroyed then his confidence is shot again. Then again if he isn't selected his confidence be knocked also. Then if we start Bangura it will be like throwing that poor lad into a sort of Wasps nest. First proper game in a derby with over 45k in attendance he will definitely be carrying out his dream of playing in England.  I fell we should might play Mcnair or RVB at Left Back then Leninhan back in CB alongside Fry with Smith at Right back. 

 

In the middle might be Howson if he's recovered from Illness and Hackney. 

We should start Forss, Jones on the wings to counter with pace then Mcgree in the number 10 with Coburn up top

 

I think people need to remember we are away to Sunderland not Real Madrid

No reason we can't get a result if we are at the races

With the illness spreading through the camp MC might be very limited on who he can select from and may even be hit with a few late withdrawals tomorrow morning, and we all know the problems late withdrawals can create!

Even if a Player is over the worst of the symptoms the recovery time can be slow, Players washed out and far from able to compete for 90 minutes so while Lenihan and Howson may be improving their fitness could be far short of where it needs to be. Hopefully it hasn't spread any further in the camp and is under control.