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Post by Les on Apr 26, 2019 10:11:37 GMT
Maguire Interview: www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/april/maguire-preview-portsmouthFollow the link for video. Maguire ready for home showdownIt’s been a long-time coming but finally, the King is back and with plenty to say as he looks to have the final, and most important, word on Sunderland’s season. When Chris Maguire suffered his fractured fibula in February at home to Gillingham, he thought that was it. Season over. The Scotsman, though, is a hardened character. The type who takes pleasure in a challenge, savours a battle and when the going gets tough, rolls his sleeves up with a smirk and cracks on with the job in hand. Having had to endure the pain of missing Wembley also, Maguire’s rehab has been just as much of an emotional battle as it has been a physical one. Being forced to sit on the sidelines, unable to make an impact is just one of the nightmares he’s had to deal with. But after returning to the matchday squad last Friday, the King is back and boy is he ready for it. “The injury came at a bad time for me because I’d just had a spell out and I wanted to kick on and show that I deserved to be in the team,” he said. “In those two games (against Accrington Stanley and Gillingham), I thought I was getting back to the levels I showed at the start of the season. “I started well in the Gillingham game and then the injury was just a freak incident. At the time I didn’t think it was as bad as I thought - hence why I tried to come back on. “Later on, I found out it was a fracture to my leg and then I was just thinking that it sums my luck up. “You have to remain positive so I set myself targets. I tried to keep myself upbeat and now I’ve almost met them. The main thing is it hasn’t ruled me out for the rest of the season, and I can come back in and now I want to have a say in the run-in. “I’ve hated being out and unable to make a difference on the pitch. “When you have to watch the team every week and you see some of the results, you just wish you could have some sort of impact on the game. “I want to have a big say on what our future is. It’s so good to be back and hopefully I can help the team get that automatic place.” He continued: “We have got to do better than what we have done in the last few weeks. “I’m delighted to be back involved and I will try to give that buzz around the place. I hope it can spur people on like it did when I came back into it against Accy. “It would be brilliant to come back and have my say. That’s what I want to do. I want to get promoted as does everyone at the club. The club deserves to be promoted. If I can come back and have a say I will be buzzing the same as everyone else and I’m sure we’ll enjoy it together.” |
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Post by Les on Apr 26, 2019 10:14:20 GMT
www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/april/ross-preview-portsmouth'We must stand as one to achieve our goal'Jack Ross believes Sunderland's players and fans must produce a show of strength this weekend if they are to overcome their challengers at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats play host to third place Portsmouth on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, in the penultimate weekend of the Sky Bet League One season. With the stakes sky high, the Lads know a win is crucial if they are to keep alive their hopes of automatic promotion after Easter Monday’s draw at Peterborough United saw that taken out of their hands. Pompey are now in pole position, despite Barnsley occupying second, but know they must win on Wearside this weekend if they are to ramp up the pressure the Tykes, who face Blackpool and then Bristol Rovers. While Sunderland’s destiny for now is out of their hands, Ross believes the final script is yet to be written but in order to change that there needs to be a collective show of strength from all corners of the stadium this Saturday. “We have crammed a lot of emotions into the season, with a lot of different ones coming in the last month,” he said. “We could still have the biggest ones ahead for us still. “All that’s changed is that we are relying on someone else to drop points. “I always felt coming into this period we would need to win our games so that’s not changed now. “In the last week of the season we are playing Saturday, Tuesday and then Saturday – I felt it would need three wins. “We obviously need to start the game well and it’s our responsibility to give the fans something to be happy about. “But Saturday will need to have a collective edge to it,” he continued. “It is a hugely important time of the season and throughout each game this season the players have brought into what we’re trying to do and so to have the supporters. “I think to get to this stage and not try to get over the line collectively would be wrong. The fans will play a hugely important part of the game on Saturday.”
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Post by Les on Apr 26, 2019 10:17:29 GMT
www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/april/match-preview-v-portsmouthSunderland v Portsmouth Match Preview For one final time this weekend, we need you to help fire up our city! On Saturday, Portsmouth head to the Stadium of Light for a 3pm kick-off in what is shaping up to be a crucial game in the race for an automatic spot in League One. Sunderland’s draw at Peterborough United on Easter Monday saw the pendulum swing in Pompey’s favour, with just three games left to play. While Barnsley sit second, with just two games to play, Portsmouth know victory on Wearside will keep them in the driving seat before taking on the Posh and then Accrington Stanley in the final week of the season. The Black Cats, though, know all they can do is win their remaining games and hope the Tykes slip up against either Blackpool or Bristol Rovers. Jack Ross will take comfort from the fact his side have lost just once in the league on home soil this term, with their last encounter on Wearside ending in pleasing fashion against Doncaster Rovers. A rampant first 45 saw the Lads get the business done as Lewis Morgan and Charlie Wyke found the net to secure an important three points at the end of a trio of home fixtures which saw them take four points from nine. Portsmouth arrive in the north east in fine fettle having won their last eight matches in all competitions, including the win on penalties in the Checkatrade Trophy Final over Sunderland. Kenny Jackett’s side have turned the tide on their midseason dip in form. After collecting just one win in 11 games in all competitions, Pompey slipped off the top and into the play-off places before rekindling their spark in late February to climb the league once more. Since then, Jackett’s men have lost just one of their last 10 games in all competitions, recording seven straight victories in the league. Ross faces a selection dilemma this weekend as Reece James, Adam Matthews and Dylan McGeouch have returned to training. Aiden McGeady’s situation continues to be monitored, meaning Duncan Watmore is the only player sidelined going into this weekend’s fixture. Portsmouth, meanwhile, are without long-term absentee Jack Whatmough, with Christian Burgess to continue at centre-back. The only other concern is loanee Omar Bogle, who will be missing on Saturday but could still feature before the season is over. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE ACTION No cash turnstiles will be available for Saturday’s game, however, tickets will be available a the ticket office ‘til kick-off. Streaming passes are also available to overseas fans. BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 2pm. As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @sunderlandafc.
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Post by Les on Apr 26, 2019 10:19:10 GMT
This game is as much about the two managers as the players - so far this season Jackett has come out on top.
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Post by sisyphus on Apr 26, 2019 12:21:13 GMT
This game is as much about the two managers as the players - so far this season Jackett has come out on top. Not really much to fight about Les.
Portsmouth are a big side, we're a little side with a very porous back line. Lump enough balls towards our area & sooner rather than later we'll concede.
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Post by macmackem on Apr 26, 2019 14:58:07 GMT
Im off to this match, massive match, simply dictates if automatic or playoffs to an extent, draw or defeat playoffs we win and back in it with the pressure on Barnsley. Just need to beat them. Just down to God's country sitting in the Worm for a wee swally waiting for the build up. |
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Post by Les on Apr 26, 2019 15:30:32 GMT
Im off to this match, massive match, simply dictates if automatic or playoffs to an extent, draw or defeat playoffs we win and back in it with the pressure on Barnsley. Just need to beat them. Just down to God's country sitting in the Worm for a wee swally waiting for the build up. You're a day early mate you're going to be smashed by kickoff 😳 |
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Post by sisyphus on Apr 26, 2019 15:38:49 GMT
Just down to God's country sitting in the Worm for a wee swally waiting for the build up. You're a day early mate you're going to be smashed by kickoff 😳 He's been living amongst the Sweaties so long Les, he's gone native  |
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Post by Les on Apr 26, 2019 16:49:52 GMT
You're a day early mate you're going to be smashed by kickoff 😳 He's been living amongst the Sweaties so long Les, he's gone native Remind me never to go for a pint with Ray 😄 |
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Post by macmackem on Apr 27, 2019 11:09:42 GMT
He's been living amongst the Sweaties so long Les, he's gone native Remind me never to go for a pint with Ray 😄 Got to enjoy myself before the game, cos it won't last long. Cost you a packet drinking with me, I go AWOL when it's my shout 🤭😀 By the way, I'm in Jamesons 😂 |
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Post by macmackem on Apr 27, 2019 11:50:02 GMT
It's a funny day, for us to be expecting 40k plus today, the town is dead
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Post by Les on Apr 27, 2019 11:50:14 GMT
Remind me never to go for a pint with Ray 😄 Got to enjoy myself before the game, cos it won't last long. Cost you a packet drinking with me, I go AWOL when it's my shout 🤭😀 By the way, I'm in Jamesons 😂 I can only drink a couple of pints these days - I have Labrynthitis which means I get dizzy very easily. The room starts spinning as though I had had a skin full. Only had it 10 years so I'm glad I made up for it beforehand 😄 |
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Post by macmackem on Apr 27, 2019 11:53:33 GMT
Got to enjoy myself before the game, cos it won't last long. Cost you a packet drinking with me, I go AWOL when it's my shout 🤭😀 By the way, I'm in Jamesons 😂 I can only drink a couple of pints these days - I have Labrynthitis which means I get dizzy very easily. The room starts spinning as though I had had a skin full. Only had it 10 years so I'm glad I made up for it beforehand 😄 Sorry to hear that mate, I don't drink much at home, it's when I come back down, I get possessed, the Sunderland lad comes back out.😂 |
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Post by Les on Apr 27, 2019 13:11:33 GMT
McLaughlin, Ozturk, Flanagan, O’Nien, Oviedo, Cattermole, Power, Honeyman, McGeady, Morgan, Wyke.
Substitutes: Ruiter, Matthews, Maguire, Gooch, Grigg, Leadbitter, Dunne.
Strong bench but I would have preferred to see Grigg and Maguire start - if they are fit
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Post by Les on Apr 27, 2019 14:38:01 GMT
Barnsley getting beat Charlton winning
We have to win this one.
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