Footballs back! After an ultimately disappointing season last time out, optimism is high and it’s time for the fun to begin…..
First up is Oxford at home, we had two 1-1 draws with them last season, (who’d have thought it?). To be fair, Oxford fans will probably feel that they should have won both games? As previously discussed, the odd loss might have kick started our season… but that was then and this is now ~surely we’ll win the league this year????
In the home game, Max Power was red carded, (harshly), after just 19 minutes, 3 minutes later they went 1-0 up……
The home game was notable for the debut of Charlie Wyke, who came on at half time; 7 minutes later…..
Both games last year were decent games, Gavin Whyte, (albeit off the bench at the SOL), looked their best player by a country mile – although it looks like he’ll be playing his trade in the championship by the time we meet?
Like us, their pre season results have been unspectacular, but it’s just a fitness exercise on the pitch and a chance to arse about in some different places off the pitch? They had 5 days in Portugal without a game, but did have a friendly away at Rangers!
There’s not a great deal linking the clubs, aside from our PR Machine Selfie Loving Owners, who I think support them? Last seasons games were the first league meetings in 20 years.
Oxford, (like Sunderland), is famous for its University…..
They don’t seem to have any significant incoming players; a theme for the match previews this season will be to link up with opposition blogs/fan sites to get an insight into their form, players, pubs to go to etc…. sadly oxblogger didn’t seem to want to know! Perhaps he/she is focusing on their big derby vs Wycombe Wanderers? Anyway, sure this will be a one off?
With regard to Saturday, it’s likely to be a feisty affair, as the two games last year boasted 14 yellows and one red card. They actually finished last season really well, taking an impressive 27 points from the last 13 games. They seem to travel quite well, so expect them to be backed by 1100/1200? Oxford are one of those teams, (like Nuneaton, Mansfield, York etc), who always seem to have plenty of flags at England games, (SAFCBlog loves a flag!). They are mid way in the betting for L1 – so my prediction in an earlier article of 13th, might not be too far off the mark?
Their boss Karl Robinson has a decent record at this level and is always well turned out, (despite being a scouser), whilst it’s an early touchline challenge for Jack Ross, I predict the cardigan to be too strong for the V Neck, white shirt combo? It’s a bit early/warm for Ross to be resorting to a zipped cardigan – but expect more of a challenge at their gaff, as KR loves a decent coat? Good to have an early test for JR though, as Paul, (Lonsdale), Lambert in our next game is a disgrace!
So…… SAFCBLOG predicts
Sunderland 2 Oxford 0. Home win a bit short, so my hard earned £20 will be on HT/FT
FTM
