Sunderland v Wigan - preview pack

[E-man]

Sunderland v Wigan - preview pack
By Martin Walker (SAFC.com)

Your complete guide to Sunderland's game against Wigan:

General news:
• Sunderland are currently 15th in the Premier League following their 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last weekend.
• The Black Cats stand on 23 points from 25 games - level with Wigan but behind them on goal difference - with 13 games (39 points) remaining. Seven of those games are at home and six are away.
• The Wearsiders are two points ahead of Birmingham who occupy 18th - they could jump as high as 13th on Saturday if they win and other results go their way.
• On Saturday, Boro entertain Fulham, Birmingham are at West Ham, Derby take on Tottenham at home and Bolton play Portsmouth at home, while Reading go to Everton.
• Sunderland do have the best home record out of the teams in the bottom eight - they have won six (including three straight wins over Bolton, Portsmouth and Birmingham), drawn three and lost three, scoring 15 goals and conceding 13.
• League form guide: W L W L W L
• Four Sunderland players are currently on four yellow cards - Phil Bardsley, Danny Collins, Grant Leadbitter and Ross Wallace.
• Liam Miller suffered a calf injury in Ireland's 1-0 defeat at home to Brazil on Wednesday and could be out for up to a month.
• Kieran Richardson is not expected to be available on Saturday after he suffered a hamstring injury in the Liverpool defeat.
• Grant Leadbitter (broken toe) and Carlos Edwards (broken leg) are not far away from full fitness - but Saturday will come too soon for them.
• Dwight Yorke (calf), Danny Higginbotham (broken toe) and Ross Wallace (knee) remain in the treatment room.
• Sunderland's Under-18s play Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON at the Stadium of Light next Wednesday (February 13), 7pm kick-off.

International round-up:
• Miller was the only Sunderland player to feature for Ireland on Wednesday - McShane and Daryl Murphy were unused subs.
• Anthony Stokes played 88 minutes of Ireland Under-21s 3-0 defeat against England at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday, a European Championship qualifier.
• Kenwyne Jones played 90 minutes for Trinidad and Tobago in a 0-0 friendly against Guadeloupe in the Port of Spain on Wednesday, a warm-up game for their World Cup qualifying campaign, at the Queen's Park Oval. Jones played alongside ex-Sunderland striker Stern John, who was later substituted.
• Goalkeeper Marton Fulop played the full 90 minutes for Hungary in a friendly against Slovakia, held in Limasol, Cyprus, on Wednesday night. The game finished 1-1, with West Brom's Zoltan Gera scoring Hungary's goal.
• Jonny Evans scored an own goal in Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat against Bulgaria in Belfast on Wednesday night.
• Goalkeeper Trevor Carson and defender Robbie Weir were unused subs as Northern Ireland Under-21s lost 2-1 in Isreal in a European Championship qualifier.
• Dickson Etuhu played 70 minutes of Nigeria's African Nations quarter-final defeat against Ghana last Sunday - it was his second game of the tournament, after playing in their third group game win over Benin, and returned to the Academy of Light this week.
• Craig Gordon and Russell Anderson spent three days with the Scotland squad for a team gathering this week. George Burley selected the Sunderland pair to join the 27-man squad at the Loch Lomond gathering from Sunday until Tuesday.
• Youngster Ryan Noble helped England Under-17s win the Algarve Tournament this week. The 16-year-old, who got a late call-up to the squad, played the full game in a 3-0 win over Denmark last Saturday, was a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win over France on Sunday and started the game against hosts Portugal on Tuesday, playing 40 minutes, as John Peacock's side drew 0-0 to finish the tournament on top.

The opposition:
• Wigan are hoping to have no injury problems going into the weekend as they had seven first team players away on international duty this week.
• Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was an unused sub in Fabio Capello's first England squad. Jason Koumas scored twice in Wales' 3-0 win over Norway at Wrexham, while David Cotterill enjoyed 30 minutes when he replaced Freddie Eastwood after an hour.
• Kevin Kilbane played the full 90 minutes in Ireland's defeat against Brazil, while Mario Melchiot played 71 minutes as Holland impressively won 3-0 in Croatia.
• New boy Marlon King played the full 90 in Jamaica's 1-1 draw with Coasta Rica in Kingston and Maynor Figueroa played the full match in Honduras' 2-0 home win over Paraguay.
• Wigan leapfrogged Sunderland with their 1-0 win at home to West Ham last Saturday - the Latics are level on points with the Black Cats but stand 15th in the table with a -16 goal difference, compared to Sunderland's -21.
• Emile Heskey was replaced by Marcus Bent during the second half last Saturday with a slight back problem, but the England striker has been in full training this week.
• Goalkeeper Carlo Nash is the only other injured player after he's been recovering from a broken leg.
• Wigan have no suspended players for the weekend.
• The Latics have won one game away from home this season, winning 1-0 at Derby on January 12. In total, they have won one, drawn three and lost nine on their travels, scoring nine goals and conceding 26.
• Steve Bruce took over from Chris Hutchings in November and in his 11 league games in charge, Wigan have won four, drawn three and lost four - these have included a 5-3 home win over Blackburn, a 1-0 win over Newcastle and their 1-1 draw at Liverpool last month, as well as the 1-0 win at Derby.
• League form guide: L D W L L W
• Steve Bruce has signed six players during the January transfer window - striker Marlon King from Watford for £5m, Honduran defender Wilson Palacios from Honduran club Deportivo Olimpio for £1m (he had been on loan with Birmingham), Ecuador midfielder Luis Valencia from Villarreal (making his loan permanent) and Swedish defender Erik Edman from Rennes for £500,000.
• The Latics boss also completed loan deals for Norwegian defender Erik Hagen from Zenit St Petersburg and Honduran defender Maynor Figueroa from Deportivo Olimpia.
• Meanwhile, Bruce allowed two players to leave - Fitz Hall to QPR for £700,000 and Danny Landzaat to Feyenoord for £1m.
• This is Wigan's third season in the Premier League following their promotion as Championship runners-up to Sunderland in 2005.
• The Latics finished tenth in their debut season, but struggled last year and only avoided relegation on the final day of the campaign with a 2-1 win at Sheffield United.
• Away from home, they won five games, drew four and lost 10, scoring 19 goals and conceding 29.

Match officials:
• The referee on Saturday is Mike Dean from Wirral. It will be Mr Dean's first Sunderland game this season - his last match in charge of the Black Cats was a 2-2 draw at Burnley last season, on December 16 2006, when Grant Leadbitter and David Connolly both scored in the last 10 minutes to steal a 2-2 draw. Mr Dean has so far issued 99 yellow cards and six reds in 26 games this season.
• His assistants are John Stokes and Steve Tincknell. The fourth official is Colin Webster.
mike dean Mike Dean - set to take charge against Wigan

Boylesports odds:
• Sunderland are evens favourites on Saturday, while Boylesports have priced Wigan 13/5 and the draw at 9/4.
• First scorer (Sunderland): Jones 11/2, Prica 6/1, Chopra 7/1, Murphy 7/1, Waghorn 15/2, Stokes 15/2, O'Donovan 10/1.
• First scorer (Wigan): King 13/2, Bent 7/1, Sibierski 15/2, Aghahowa 9/2, Taylor 14/1, Koumas 14/1, Valencia 16/1.
• For more odds go to www.boylesportssafc.com

How far?
• It's 158.9 miles from the JJB Stadium to the Stadium of Light.

Turned out nice again!
• It's forecast to be sunny at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, with temperatures around 9°C

Sunderland-Wigan: head-to-head:
• Wigan have already beaten Sunderland twice this season. They won 3-0 in the Premier League at the JJB Stadium back in August - when Emile Heskey, Danny Landzaat and Antoine Sibierski were on target - while they also won 3-0 in the third round of the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light just last month, when Paul Scharner, Paul McShane (OG) and David Cotterill were the scorers.
• Wigan did the double over Sunderland two seasons ago - winning both Premier League games 1-0. Henri Camara scored at the Stadium of Light as Paul Jewell's side won 1-0 later that season in what was Mick McCarthy's last game as Sunderland boss.
• Sunderland have only beat Wigan once at home in their previous four league meetings on Wearside - that was on October 10, 1987, when Marco Gabbiadini and Eric Gates both scored twice in a 4-1 win at Roker Park. Wigan have won one and there have been two draws.

[Peong]

Sunderland need to get points from this game.
Wigan are one of the better teams in the relegation battle so it won't be easy.

[Jayerson]

Honduras beat Paraguay??

[freakazoid]

very happy to see that the 2 concacaf strikers are the odds on favs to score first

jones vs king

[truetrini]

Honduras beat Paraguay??

2-0

[triniairman]

Honduras beat Paraguay??

Shocking huh? I don't know if Suazo played, but I do know he did not score any of the goals.

[Bakes]

Sunderland v. Wigan...











I'm trying really hard to care.

[skins]

Etuhu score 1-0 sunderland

[WestCoast]

orrite Sunderland geh two more

[Dinner Mints]

Another Sunderland midfielder injured in the first half. They now officially have no more wingers. They now only have two available midfielders in the entire squad and neither of then can pass. Etuhu tackles and breaks up play. Whithead runs around a lot.

[ricky]

murphy rocket 2-0
15 min to go

[skins]

Murphy score... It sound like a magnificent goal 2-0

[WestCoast]

nice VERY nice

live table here

[Trinitim]

  IF YOU SEE THAT BULLET!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT REMIND ME OF CARLOS EDWARDS STRIKE AGAUNST BURNLEY BUT NOT AS SPECTACULAR. BUT SOME GOAL THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. MURPHY!!!!!!!!!

[Dinner Mints]

Keane try to sell Murphy to Queen's Park Rangers last month. That put a fire under his ass. He's been playing very very well ever since.

[ricky]

gordon has made 3 great saves in last 2 mins
wigan has played well

[dervaig]

Murphy score... It sound like a magnificent goal 2-0

As best as I can describe.
1 minute after coming on, Andy Reid makes a diagonal pass from
left to right, Murphy collects about 40 yards out, beats a defender,
cuts inside, and with goal about 30 yards away, with left foot,
UNLEASHES............

When was the last time 'yuh see ah string up'?

Probably the goal of the season for Sunderland, and has got to be in
the top 3 for the league this season.

[WestCoast]

what a save day
Gordon is my MOM

Nozzy did well today

[D.H.W]

game done right? so 2 nil to sunderland  where dey rank in d table now

[Dinner Mints]

game done right? so 2 nil to sunderland  where dey rank in d table now

14th.

[just cool]

Kenwyn need's to get on the board, them defenderes not even gining him a second on the ball. i hope he scores soon.

[#4]

Murphy score... It sound like a magnificent goal 2-0

As best as I can describe.
1 minute after coming on, Andy Reid makes a diagonal pass from
left to right, Murphy collects about 40 yards out, beats a defender,
cuts inside, and with goal about 30 yards away, with left foot,
UNLEASHES............

When was the last time 'yuh see ah string up'?

Probably the goal of the season for Sunderland, and has got to be in
the top 3 for the league this season.

If Reid always plays like he did in those few minutes (and passes like that all the time), then he is well worth the millions SAFC paid for him

[Observer]

Ah glad for KJ and his team, but dam! that football hard to watch. I almost went and look for the nearest dentist.
When you watch the Seria A or La Liga teams in the same positions on the table, at least the football has a certain standard that can be appreciated.

[WestCoast]

Ah glad for KJ and his team, but dam! that football hard to watch. I almost went and look for the nearest dentist.
When you watch the Seria A or La Liga teams in the same positions on the table, at least the football has a certain standard that can be appreciated.

was it me, or
was there TOO much BOOM kicking goin orn

[kev]

Ah glad for KJ and his team, but dam! that football hard to watch. I almost went and look for the nearest dentist.
When you watch the Seria A or La Liga teams in the same positions on the table, at least the football has a certain standard that can be appreciated.

The week told on KJ, last week he looked for all the world he had the friendly on his mind and had his poorest performance for the club so far.

I have read the board for quite some time and have seen a lot of comments about the quality of the team and for the most part it is justified.

What I don't think people in T & T appreciate is where we have come from in a short time.  Less than 2 years ago the club was stoney broke with no prospects, no players (any player with any sort of ability was sold) and no hope.  When NQ and his backers took over we coudn't get a decent manager or players.

RK took over and only made the squad numbers up with something like 6 final day signings.  How we got promotion is beyond me, although a couple of january signings particularly CE helped greatly.

In the summer we struggled to attract players because of the history and still are, in reality for all purposes we needed a whole team plus, to put it into perspective RK has spent roughly £50 Million since his arrival twice the amount Liverpool spent on Torres.

If we survive we still need to buy a defence, midfield and a forward in order to survive comfortably next season.  Everyone is aware we need better players, passers and a touch of class, it will be easier to get them next season if we survive.  But it will only be the following season that the club can look at just adding  2/3  players that cost a lot of money and can make a difference. 

If we do get the players back and add more quality next season KJ needs to improve other aspects of his game, which I am sure he will do, but without him this season we would of been dead and buried by now.

The prem from now to the end of the season wont make great watching the teams at the top get nervous, the teams at the bottom are nervous and not very good and the teams in the middle have nothing to play for.

[WestCoast]

good one Kev,
buh those commentators on Setanta thought that KJ had a good enuff game.
what I like is when we get another win we will be ahead of the Toon Toons

[Dinner Mints]

I think the fact Sunderland has practically no midfielders left is affecting their style of play. Until they have Richardson, Carlos, Reid, Miller, Dwight all fit at the same time, they'll have to rely on the long ball. Because Whitehead and Etuhu can't create or pass or keep the ball at all.

[kev]

I think the fact Sunderland has practically no midfielders left is affecting their style of play. Until they have Richardson, Carlos, Reid, Miller, Dwight all fit at the same time, they'll have to rely on the long ball. Because Whitehead and Etuhu can't create or pass or keep the ball at all.

It has been like that for quite a while, it is  made worse as the defenders can't pass either so they haven't a lot of confidence in their ability to find a man, nerves also play a part.  KJ being the type of player he is also gives them an easy option which is hoof.

From now until the end of the season its all about points, how you come by them is secondary for the time being.

[Gladman]

Keane Blasts 'Cheapskate' Trinidad FA


Roy Keane says Sunderland had to pay for a first class upgrade for Trinidad striker Kenwyne Jones to ensure he got enough sleep to be able to face Wigan this weekend

Sunderland take on Wigan today in a vital bottom-of-the-table clash as both sides seek to distance themselves from the drop zone. 

The Black Cats are hoping that Trinidad striker Kenwyne Jones will be able to take to the pitch and put in a good display, despite him having featured for his country in a friendly against Guadeloupe on Wednesday and only returning to Wearside on Friday. 

It was a long and arduous trip for the striker, but Sunderland boss Roy Keane says it would have been even worse if they'd left it upto the Trinidad FA. 

But after forking out the extra cash for first class, the Black Cats boss expects to see the striker repay his club in goals. 

“The Trinidad FA make Kenwyne’s travel arrangements but we made sure he came back first class and had a bed to sleep on," said Keane.  "If we left it to them I think he’d be on a ferry.  Him and Stern John would probably be paddling home.

Sunshine

"To be honest, after the way he played we should have kept him in economy.  But we had to make sure he was sorted as he needs to perform in a big match for us.  I’m hoping it will have refreshed him," added the Irishman of Jones' trip back to the West Indies. 

"He’ll have got a bit of sun on his back.  Dwight Yorke used to go back to the Caribbean and return like a new man.  Sometimes it does you good.”

Wigan Clash

As for today's game against Wigan, Keane has warned his players he will accept no repeat performance of their embarrasing Stadium of Light defeat to the Latics in the FA Cup.  "When you lose 3-0 at home I expect to be harsh.  But the last few weeks have been good," he added on a more positive note. 

"My life doesn’t revolve around football.  I’m in a good space.  You have to enjoy it while it lasts as it could all change tomorrow.  People talk about fight but that’s life and I enjoy it.  I could be sat on the beach enjoying my retirement but doing nothing scares me.”

Goal.com UK

[Dinner Mints]

I think the fact Sunderland has practically no midfielders left is affecting their style of play. Until they have Richardson, Carlos, Reid, Miller, Dwight all fit at the same time, they'll have to rely on the long ball. Because Whitehead and Etuhu can't create or pass or keep the ball at all.

It has been like that for quite a while, it is  made worse as the defenders can't pass either so they haven't a lot of confidence in their ability to find a man, nerves also play a part.  KJ being the type of player he is also gives them an easy option which is hoof.

From now until the end of the season its all about points, how you come by them is secondary for the time being.

I think the current back four pass it decently enough. McShane, Higginbotham and Whitehead/Halford was a disastrous combination.