October 2008 Archives
DEAN WHITEHEAD believes attack may be the best form of defence for Sunderland at Chelsea.
The Black Cats skipper reckons it would be folly to sit back and try to keep Phil Scolari's galaxy of stars at bay for 90 minutes.
But Sunderland's attack looked blunt in their midweek defeat at Stoke, and the Wearsiders will have to improve significantly at Stamford Bridge if Whitehead's strategy is to work.
TALK about coming back down to earth with a bump!
Just five days after Sunderland were on top of the world following their derby win, the Black Cats hit the ground with a resounding thud at Stoke.
Ricardo Fuller's 73rd-minute goal was enough to give Premier League newcomers Stoke their third win of the season and end Sunderland's three-game unbeaten run in the process.
And, just as the better team won the derby at the weekend, so it was last night.
ROY KEANE says his Sunderland side have no reason to fear Stoke's physical approach.
The Black Cats take on newly-promoted Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this evening as they look to build on their weekend derby win against Newcastle.
While Keane is at pains to point out that there is more to Stoke's game than brute force, he knows his men are in for a physical test against the Potters.
MÁRTON Fülöp has been assured he can become Sunderland's first-choice goalkeeper if he makes the most of Craig Gordon's absence with an unfortunate ankle injury.
Fülöp is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up against Stoke City tonight, the club he nearly joined in the summer, as Gordon is still struggling with the injury which kept him out of the 2-1 Wear-Tyne derby victory over Newcastle last weekend.
And, while most people expect Gordon to return to the side as soon as he has regained full fitness, Keane denied the Scotland international was guaranteed that luxury even though he is the club's most expensive player.
DEAN WHITEHEAD says his pal Liam Lawrence is devastated at missing out on the chance to face his old club Sunderland tomorrow.
Stoke winger Lawrence is out of action with an ankle injury suffered in bizarre circumstances - he tripped over his dog on the stairs at home.
And the problem has cost him the opportunity to play against the Black Cats at the Britannia Stadium.
AFTER a technological meltdown on Monday which prompted one member of staff to threaten to throw his computer out of the window in a hissy fit the post derby web chat will take place on Tuesday at 12pm.
Sorry for the problems on Monday, but it was out of our hands I'm afraid. Hope you've still got some comments to make and some questions to ask.
MÁRTON Fülöp has admitted he will relish the chance to face Stoke City tomorrow night after the newly-promoted Premier League club controversially cancelled his move to the Britannia Stadium in the summer.
Fülöp was drafted into the side which beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the Wear-Tyne derby last weekend as first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon picked up an ankle injury in training.
The Scotland international may well return in time for the trip to the Potteries tomorrow night, but Fülöp is hoping he gets the opportunity to make Stoke pay for their shoddy treatment.
THE gap between Newcastle and Sunderland has grown to six points in the Premier League table, but it will only get bigger as these two bitter rivals appear to be heading in opposite directions.
Sunderland's derby win might be explained as a flukey one off by the most stubborn United fan, a rare cause for celebration on Wearside, an aberration, but there was nothing lucky about it. Sunderland were the better side and deserved their first home win over the old enemy in 28 years. As things stand, they won't have to wait nearly as long for their next one. The end of January at St James's Park perhaps?
The Black Cats look like a club on the up, they have built up momentum over the past two years and, although they still look short in certain areas and will probably finish somewhere in mid-table, they look like a stronger club on the whole, well run by chairman Niall Quinn and superbly managed by Roy Keane without any boardroom interference.
IF a week is a long time in politics, 28 years is an eternity in football - just ask the Sunderland fans.
That's how long the red-and-whites have had to wait for a derby win on home turf.
An entire generation has grown up not knowing what it is like to beat your rivals in your own backyard.
But that long wait finally came to an end on Saturday as Sunderland took full advantage of the turmoil surrounding St James's and kicked Newcastle while they are down.
WHETHER your hangover on Sunday morning was born from a desire to drown your sorrows or from a night of wild celebration I'm sure you've got something to say about Sunderland's derby victory over Newcastle at the weekend.
If you have any questions for me, or simply want to express your thoughts, I'll be doing another live web chat on Monday from 12pm. Just log on to the JournalLive website and click on the link.
Recent Comments
"Blah Blah Blah, Roy keane is making a complete left breast out of himself. If he thinks he is going..."
"Dean Whitehead and the rest of this sorry crew of overpaid primadonnas needs to keep out of the pres..."
"worst keeper we`ve ever had, keep fulop in goal, scottish No1 says it all !..."
"Thank you Thank you Thank you Sunderland for taking Tal Ben-Haim off our hands got to be the worst d..."
" redknapp is a Arthur Daley type spiv, he is all mouth and has been unable to get anyone of substanc..."
"Shame Blyth could not get into the 4th round would have been a great match...."
"Fergie -Beam me out of here!! ..."
"St Joseph pray for us St Stephen pray for us St Mark pray for us St Francis pray for us and oh C..."
"I would like to see Paul Jewell take the helm, just have a feeling he could turn the club round quic..."
"Yes another Toon agent. What Keane ment when he said he went as far as he could was, St James Park r..."