Momentum building, a very winnable home game, expectation rising…….we all know what normally happens next? Whether it’s Hull after hammering the Mags, Southampton 0-4 after winning 4-0 at Palace, Plymouth a few weeks ago, we have a habit of not responding well to expectation. Well not today, Gillingham aren’t bad, but they’re not as good as us and we’ll win today(*).

Only the Loan-ley

A couple of really promising loan signings this week, with the prolonged absence of Hume we were desperate for a LB, we’ve signed one from Southampton

I’m assuming he can play today, the clubs official site and the mainstream media didn’t seem to know/couldn’t be arsed to find out. I’m guessing he can play, the deal will have been in the pipeline all week and I just can’t imagine he’d sign on a Friday if he couldn’t play Saturday. Whilst Wyke will probably score our 1st goal, if Jake plays I’ll be having a little touch on him.

Jordan Jones has also joined on loan from Rangers, again he’s highly rather and fills a gap, for ages we’ve lacked pace, Jones is quick, very quick. He’s had a few issues at Rangers off the pitch, but again that could make for a perfect loan scenario as he’s got plenty to prove / redeem? Whilst I’m unlikely to make it as a professional footballer, if I did I’d want to play for Sunderland and failing that I’d like to play for Rangers, this lad is living the dream.

Ross Stewart……

Ross Cameron Stewart of Ross County from Irvine….. could a man sound any more Scotch? This is not quite over the line, but seems imminent, his goal scoring record is ok, although it’s hard to gauge as I can’t imagine Ross County create that many chances in the SPL? He’s highly rated and the Ross fans seem to be Ross fans, ultimately we need goals, not necessarily more goals, but a wider spread of goals. Wyke has been immense this season, but if he got injured we’d be fucked, this time 2 years ago Maja’s goals were keeping us up there, he went and the goals dried up – so once again another positive, (potential), signing.

Pre Teamsheet Teamsheet Thoughts…

I don’t think we’ll see loads of changes, after today we have a full week til our next league game which in the current climate is effectively a mid season break. Grant probably needs a rest but he can have one when the reserves play MK Wimbledon’s on Tuesday night. Maguire has talent to burn, he’s inconsistent though and he’s been mostly shite this season, he played his best football last season after getting a severe kick up the arse for his part in McDonalds Gate, hopefully the size and the quality of the squad expanding around him will kick him into action, bench again for him today but hopefully he’ll be chomping at the bit! I think Wright is injured, so I guess Sanderson will line up along side Willis at CB. If Gooch is fit I’d play him ahead of McGeady, but I don’t think LJ will do this

Burge

Power Sanderson Willis Vokins

Scowen, Leadbitter, Winchester, McGeady

O’Brien, Wyke

Our bench is strong, Gooch and Maguire should be absolutely chomping at the bit, the quality of our bench and the new 5 subs rule should be something that wins us plenty of games that would otherwise be drifting away from us.

Actual Teamsheet Teamsheet Thoughts…

I was miles off with that – Diamond probably needs a good game as I thought Gooch would start today. GAME ON……. SAFCBlog Predicts – SAFC 2 vs GILLINGHAM 0

Massively positive start, Lee has officially ditched his Club Issue Coat.

Unsure as to whether Luke has had his haircut, but we should find out during the course of the afternoon.

6 minutes……. 1-0 GET IN. Whilst McGeady’s shot took a significant deflection, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score? Great start lads.

15 minutes…… the goal has woken them up, their number 2 can throw the ball further than most people can kick in, Willis and Flanagan are going to earn their money today.

25 minutes…… they’ve been the better team since we scored, plenty of warning signs, if the game continues to follow this pattern, they will score soon.

28 minutes…… 1-1, thoroughly deserved. He was possibly a little unsighted, but on first viewing Burge could have perhaps done better, the ball travelled a long way along the ground

31 minutes….. they nearly break the crossbar – we are getting overrun here

40 minutes …..we’ve reacted well, back on top. Great closing down in midfield and McGeady is away, foul …. penalty

Penalty…… tremendous save to be fair, onto the post and Grant nods the rebound home … 2-1, really entertaining first half and not unlike their last visit to the SOL, Gillingham have plenty to offer.

Half Time…. and breathe….. decent 45, fortunate to be ahead. McGeady’s quality been the main difference between the two sides, Power pushed on really well down the right. I’m not for one moment hanging him out – but Diamond not really up to speed with this game, Gooch to replace him makes sense.

Not quite sure what’s going on in Downtown Wonderland, but the Emergency Services Sirens have been going all game.

2nd Half……

53 minutes….Gooch on for Diamond, makes sense, Gillingham remain a real threat, this has the feel of a game we’re more likely to win by scoring a 3rd than avoiding conceding a 2nd

We’re crap at corners, whenever we play a short corner nothing comes of it…

75 minutes…… still 2-1, still feels like it’s going to be 3-1 or 2-2? Attack the best form of defence……

78 minutes….. they hit the post again, great overheard kick

80 minutes…. fantastic block from Grant, if we are going to win this it’ll be 3-1, Gillingham have been excellent

87 minutes….. Luke’s on, still no haircut, fucking hell Luke – going to need planning permission soon?

89 minutes…. 2-2, for fucks sake.

Full time …… 2-2, for fucks sake.

Fucking Sunderland Man……. nowt else to say