A win today would be great, it’s testament to the lack quality of this League that we remain very much in the mix for promotion. Whilst we show no signs of achieving it, it really shouldn’t be that hard to go on a 5 match winning run in this division, that’s exactly what Doncaster did prior to Tuesdays loss at Fleetwood. The focus of this blog is obviously SAFC – but did anyone imagine we’d be 7 points behind them with 2 games more played after watching our game at the Keepmoat in November?

Takeover almost over the line and all looking very positive, I wrote a lot about our previous custodians, sadly owners seem to attract attention when they are making an arse of. I wish KLD all the best and hopefully we can have a few years of sailing on the calm and getting back to where we belong. We all know the club is in poor health, it’s not quite as simple as a sticking plaster job, but is far from terminal, with the right intentions, expertise and finances we aren’t that far off where we’d all like to be – onwards and upwards.

Whilst the longer term future might look promising, the immediate future, (3pm), is more of a worry. It’s a huge team selection for Johnson today, all week the focus has been on the goalkeeping position, I’m pretty sure he will go with Burge. I don’t know an awful lot about Patterson, but we shouldn’t assume he is the answer just because the other two are having a bad time, he did ok at Fleetwood in a Pizza match, but it would be a bold shout putting him in today. I think we have to take Matthews out of the firing line, so I expect to see Patterson promoted to the bench.

I’m a great believer in getting our own performance right, there’s no value in worrying about the opponents at this level, if we play as well as we can, we should win most games. That said if Rovers aren’t targeting our back line they want shooting. It’s the thick end of 20 years since I captained St Clements WMC in the John Smiths Sunday League Division 3, but if you’ve done one pep talk, you’ve done them all. I’m not sure whether Rovers Gaffer Darren Moore reads this blog, but surely he’ll be saying something along the lines of this……

“Right lads, fags out and listen up… We never beat these, today is an opportunity for us. I know we talk about possession, but let’s just right into these eh? First 20 minutes just get the ball in the box or have a dip. They’ve got 3 keepers and don’t fancy any of them, they’ve got a midfielder at RB who looks like a Labrador trying to trap a balloon, the kid at LB looks like Bambi on ice, their best CH is crocked, even the lad from Bristol is off his game. They’ve conceded goals the last 2 games from balls bouncing inside the 6 yard box…. just whip it in and they will crumble. At least ask the fucking question. Now get out there, get the nets put up and get into them. Strippers and sandwiches back at the club, no subs no sarnies – let’s do this”

Pre Teamsheet Teamsheet Thoughts…

I’ve got absolutely no idea really, but I’d expect something like this…

Burge

Power Wright Sanderson Vokins

McGeady Scowen Leadbitter O’Nien

O’Brien Wyke

As discussed the defence is a worry, but we have a bang in form striker in Wyke and McGeady has looked decent of late, I’m normally super positive, I’m less positive about the outcome of the game today than I normally am, but as discussed this league is impossible to predict. What worries me slightly is we’ve actually had a few breaks lately for the 1st time in ages, early leads in games, playing against 10 men, offside goal and disallowed goal the other night. I’ve long since accepted that we are in this league for no other reason than we deserve to be, I’m also a great believer in getting what you deserve over 46 games, I’m coming round to the idea that we deserve to be about 8th – we all know that is not good enough, we need a boost – today would be the perfect time to deliver said boost💥⚽️

Actual Teamsheet Teamsheet Thoughts…

Johnson isn’t afraid to make changes is he? I’d though McFadzean was injured and I’d forgotten about McLaughlin. He clearly doesn’t fancy Maguire on bit?

GAME ON…

3pm… Early positive that not one of our outfield players are wearing gloves, footballers shouldn’t wear gloves. Lee has gone back to his club coat though, still no haircut for O’Nien.

Word from Doncaster supporting pal is that the absence of Anderson at the back for them is a huge blow, hopefully we can capitalise on this?

6 minutes…. 1-0 Great corner from McGeady, unmarked and free header from 4 yards, but a good header from Wyke, ⚽️

11 minutes… 2-0…. Groundhog Day. Lovely cross from McGeady, another good header from Wyke, ⚽️⚽️

31 minute…. 3-0….. Groundhog Day. Lovely cross from McGeady, another good header from Wyke, ⚽️⚽️⚽️

44 minutes….. almost 4-0, decent save to deny Gooch, the pass from McGeady was sublime though

Half time….. Great half, job done, let’s keep a morale boosting clean sheet too. Surely we’ll beat Burton next week and then who knows, onwards and upwards.

52 minutes….. 3-1 we’d started the half well too.

54 minutes….. McGeady > Wyke > ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ It’s a simple formula

57 minutes….. Ref gives them a penalty for no reason. Burge saves, brilliant Lee, delighted for you, (let’s remember he saved one at Gillingham too)

75 minutes….. comfortable enough, when you are 3-0 up at half time, it more often ends 3-0 or 4-1 rather than 6-0. A job well done lads 👏

82 minutes….. McGeady subbed to a standing ovation here from myself and two dogs, absolute class performance today… 4 assists and a new arsehole torn for their left back. I’ve been critical of him in the past, full credit today Aiden, an absolute masterclass.

87 minutes….another penalty to them, (right decision), another save from Burge, although it was a dreadful penalty, absolute garbage. We’ve deserved our win, but I suspect Guest Donny Blogger Adam Emberton might be quite scathing of his team? I’ll include his thoughts on tomorrow’s blog, apologies in advance for any swearwords.

Full time….. a fantastic win, just what we needed, my only sadness is just imagine how good it would be to have been in the Stadium today with pals… fucking love Sunderland, fucking love football, I can’t wait to b3 back at the match – onwards and upwards.

Great win Lads, just what we needed, just goes to show we should Never, Ever, Stop Believing… FTM