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Sunderland v Wigan Athletic Preview
Date: 03 Feb 2010 - Written by:
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When thoughts of Saturday’s match were along the lines of it being massive game, it has just got even more important....
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When thoughts of Saturday’s match were along the lines of it being massive game, it has just got even more important. As Bruce has said himself, a combination of the Stoke and Wigan matches could define our season as Sunderland continue to struggle with getting that win in which we so desperately need.
Sunderland’s record of one league win in fourteen matches piles the pressure on Sunderland and Steve Bruce. However, January signings Hutton and Benjani have created a little boost around the Stadium of Light and may feature on Saturday. The Stoke match on Saturday produced some very poor football, and as predicted, Stoke City’s bullish approach stopped Sunderland from playing much of a fluent game.
Despite the result being disappointing, it was promising to see a clean sheet which will hopefully breed some confidence in the defensive ranks. In addition, despite a lack of creativity, Sunderland looked a lot more solid in the middle of the park with Cana and Cattermole pairing up in the middle, and Cattermole also started to look fit again. Kenwyne Jones certainly looked like as though he wants to be a Sunderland player, and will also be kept on his toes from now on with the arrival of Benjani signed on loan from Manchester City. There is healthy competition for places in the striking ranks, with Fraizer Campbell still knocking on the door for more of a chance upfront.
On the other hand, Wigan Athletic are also hitting a rough patch. Last night’s home match to Nott’s County in the cup end in a 2-0 defeat, in which Wigan also had a decent side out. Wigan’s last league result was also a home defeat against the inform Everton. Wigan did however; manage to get Sunderland target Figueroa to sign a new contract, and sign the well sought after Victor Moses from Crystal Palace. When Sunderland and Wigan last met, Steve Bruce came back from his former clubs ground with nothing, and therefore will relish getting his revenge at the Sunderland Stadium of Light.
This has definitely become one of those “must win” matches, as Sunderland’s run of league matches doesn’t get any easier, with trips to Portsmouth, who despite their problems at the club and poor form, seem to get a result against the Black Cats and a trip to Arsenal also beckons. With players coming back to full fitness, and some who have been back for a couple matches now getting closer to match fitness, Steve Bruce will be aiming to get his side playing like they were at the beginning of the season and starting to look above us again, rather than looking over the shoulder.
Sunderland’s last Line Up; Gordon, McCartney, Kilgallon, Turner, Mensah, Malbranque, Cana, Cattermole, Reid, Jones, Bent (v Stoke)
Wigan’s last line up; Stoikovic, Caldwell, Scharner, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Koumas, Jordi Gomez, Sinclair, Diame, Scotland (v Notts County)
Let’s get an unbeaten run put together and get out of this defeatist mentality which has been all too common around the SOL for our liking over the years and get ourselves back to winning ways. Sing your hearts out on Saturday and get behind the team.
Matthew Kilgallon: “The lads have been telling me how good it feels when the fans get behind us…..” says it all!
Ha’way the Lads
Keep the Faith
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