[themaclad]

Sunderland
Deepdale 6/11/2024 20.00

A televised game yea

Manager



https://www.safc.com/

LAST TIME ON THE PARK





FORM GUIDE

PNE 8 SUNDERLAND 16

IN FORM



IN AND OUT



Brownie probably didn't want to leave however if we had potted Lowe at the end of the season then he probably wouldn't be playing against us in this one

BIT OF PREVIOUS



Second visit of the season for the Black Cats probably be a slightly different side from the first one.

THE BOSS

Paul Heckingbottom isn’t surprised by what Sunderland have managed to do so far this season, based on spells they’ve enjoyed in previous campaigns.

North End will take on the Black Cats at Deepdale on Wednesday night, and they’ll arrive in Lancashire occupying the division’s top spot.

It’s been an impressive start to life under new head coach Régis Le Bris, but Hecky’s seen enough signs from the team over the past few years to not be shocked at what they’ve done up to this point.


Hecky said: “I’m not too surprised because over the last three or four seasons they've had spells where their form's been right up there with the best.

“I think their challenge, like any team who is trying to get promoted or trying to be at the top, is sustaining that over 46 games.

“They've had patches and runs of form throughout the last few seasons where they've been in promotion form. Their job now is to try and maintain it.

“They have good attacking quality and are a really youthful side. They’re fearless in how they look to attack with a lot of energy, and then they use that energy on good recoveries and how they look to defend the ball.

“I think that's probably a big improvement in my eyes in the Sunderland team this season. I think against the ball they've been a lot better and stronger than I've seen over previous seasons.”

PNE will be hoping to get back to winning ways, having lost in their last outing on home turf against Bristol City.


Sam Greenwood scored his third goal in as many games to draw his side level in that one following a controversial opener for the visitors, but the Robins quickly regained their advantage and took all three points.

Hecky said: “The biggest thing looking back on the game for me was when we made the attacking changes and brought the attacking personnel on and changed shape, we actually became less dangerous in terms of getting bodies in their box.

“That's something we have to be wary of and try and improve on because we've not been in that position this season really. Millwall away is the only time and the subs we made were different.

“From my mind, making the changes from the bench is important but then the players need to understand that when they go on. It's okay having the ball, but we have to go and try and get the goal and make sure that when we do get in the final third and dangerous areas that we're making them defend the spaces a lot better by getting bodies in there.”

The gaffer also confirmed that while Will Keane is making good progress, he won’t be risked for this match or the trip to Portsmouth at the weekend.

Training days will be used to get him up to speed during the international break, while Patrick Bauer has been able to get involved with some ball work, but he’s some way off being able to take part in any kind of contact training.

SUNDERLAND NEWS

Sunderland are looking to extend their six-match unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship when they head to Deepdale to face Preston North End.

The Lads head their for the second time this season after a cup clash earlier in the campaign looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the game...

Opposition

The Lilywhites currently sit 20th in the Sky Bet Championship table after three wins from their opening 12 games this season.

Paul Heckingbottom took charge in August after Ryan Lowe brought an end to his two-and-a-half year spell on Lancashire. The Yorkshireman has presided over a ten-game spell where they’ve suffered defeat just twice.

All three of their victories in the league this season have come at Deepdale beating Luton Town, Coventry City and Watford.

Former Sunderland academy graduate stands out as the club’s top scorer this season with three goals to his name. Emil Riis and Kaine Kesler Hayden have two assists each.

Pre-match Insights

The two sides met earlier in the season in the first round of the Carabao Cup as the Lilywhites were 2-0 winners.

Sunderland have won two of their previous three meetings against Preston North End in the league. Last time out, Alex Pritchard and Nazariy Rusyn were on the scoresheet in a New Years’ Day victory this year.


The Lads sealed a Championship Play-Off spot on the final day of the 2022/23 season down in Deepdale with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Pritchard, Amad and Jack Clarke.

Preston North End are unbeaten in 21 league games in midweek. Only Manchester City currently have a better record in the top four English leagues.

Sunderland have won both of their midweek league games this season beating Derby County and Luton Town.

Team News

Jobe misses the first game of his three-match suspension following his red card in the goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers.

Anthony Patterson continues to make progress in his recovery from injury but the head coach confirmed Preston North End may come too soon for the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Dan Ballard will be assessed ahead of the game.

Ian Poveda, Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt, Ahmed Abdullahi, Salis Abdul Samed and Niall Huggins continue on their respective rehabilitation programmes.

OTHER GAMES



TABLE



MACS VIEW

Tough game against the leaders, after the dismal offerings on Saturday exect a better performance although hopefully they won't have anyone to throw it into the net.
Would take a point

[themaclad]

The Fitness Test

Will Keane, who hasn't featured since the end of September, won't make a return to action before the international break. Paul Heckingbottom plans to use the two weeks without a match to get the striker up to speed.

Patrick Bauer is also a way off being available, despite now being involved in parts of training. He has some time to go before he's allowed any form of contact.

Ched Evans also remains sidelined, but otherwise it's a clean bill of health for North End.

The Black Cats


Having appointed a new boss in Régis Le Bris this summer, Sunderland started the season with four wins from four, and they’ve not let up since.

After 13 league matches, they sit at the summit of the division, with the joint-most goals scored (23) in the league, and the second-most clean sheets (8).

They’ve lost on just three occasions so far this term, with one of those being the 2-0 defeat to North End in the first round of the Carabao Cup in August, when Ryan Ledson and Mads Frøkjær were on the scoresheet.
The Officials

Referee: Lewis Smith
Assistant Referees: Hristo Karaivanov and Sam Lewis
Fourth Official: Robert Madley

Lewis Smith will referee the third North End fixture of his career on Wednesday night.

Smith first took charge of a PNE match last season away at Hull City, before officiating the Lilywhites’ 4-1 victory at home to Huddersfield Town in April 2024.

In total this season, Smith has taken charge of 16 matches, showing 58 yellow cards and three reds.

[themaclad]

Preston North End 0 Sunderland 0



Attendance: 18,064.

Referee: Mr L Smith (5,072 Sunderland fans)

Honours even and probably the right outcome in the end although think we had the better chances to win, decent turnout from the North East given the motorway misery(still closed at 9am this morning) and being a traditionalist it was good to see Sunderland playing in their normal kit.
Still odd too see Mr Browne in Red and White(Thanks Ryan)
First half was better of the two, should have been ahead after 38 seconds, Potts, Mads and Storey combined down the right, Greenwood shot deflected and KKH missed the ball from two yards out, fairly end to Isador shot hit the side netting, Connolly denied by a combination of Lindsay and Storey. For the visitors Watson impressed early doors and the pace of Hume down the right hand side.
Mads should have done better with a header from 10 yards, and on the strokeof halftime Riis curled in a great effort good save by Moore denied him.
Second period only a Roberts shot in the dying embers of the game required a saved although having seen it afterwards probably would not have gone in, may have been a possible penalty on Riis but wasn't given by Mr Smith who was probably the best official we have had this season, let the game flow which made it a decent spectacle.
Some very tired players at the end of the game, just a trip to Portsmouth on Saturday before the next International holiday.

THE BOSS

Paul Heckingbottom felt Preston North End were the better team in the goalless draw against Sunderland.

PNE took the game to the league leaders from the off at Deepdale and created a number of chances in the first half, notably through Emil Riis who forced Simon Moore into a top save in stoppage-time.

The second half was slightly more even and clearcut chances were at a premium, although Freddie Woodman had to be at his best late on to make a key save.


Hecky said: “It was well deserved. I think we were the better team. We should have had all three. I’m really pleased with the performance. It was really strong from start to finish, so I’m pleased with a lot of it.

“We did everything but put the ball in the net, especially the first half. We had the one where I don't think Kaine [Kesler-Hayden] was expecting it. He missed his shot, from about a yard out, and it just went through his legs, and then there were two headers in particular.

“We had some real good moments in the first half and no one could begrudge us if we got the three points at 1-0, 2-0 or whatever it could have been.”

After that Kesler-Hayden chance the manager mentioned, Sam Greenwood was heavily involved and was brought down on the edge of the area, in a moment which the manager feels should have resulted in a red card.


“We created most of the chances,” added the manager. “Pottsy (Brad Potts) had a header, Mads [Frøkjær] had a header, and the Kaine one too.

“We were well on top. There's been lots in this run of games we’ve had where we've been talking about decisions. That's five really bad decisions we've had in eight games – match-changing decisions.

“But at the same time, we've also been culpable ourselves of not collecting three points often enough. Today we had chances. We can't be relying on officials to do their job properly.

“We've got to make sure that we could have had that game wrapped up and been celebrating three points, which the performance deserved.”

REG

Régis Le Bris admitted the frustration within Sunderland’s camp following their goalless draw at Preston is a sign of the rising standards at the Club.

The Black Cats were held to their second successive scoreless draw on the road after being held at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

The result, however, extends the Lads’ unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship to seven games and sees them collect their ninth clean sheet from 14 matches this campaign.

Speaking post-match, Le Bris said: “This was not the best Sunderland so far, but we are not complacent and we are ok about the different phases we need to improve.

“It is not a bad point. The boys aren’t happy with the draw here away home but that is good for us and for the environment.

“We know we can play much better. This level of demands and high standards is good and it is higher now in our team - this is really good for the future.”

He continued: “In the first half we struggled in both phases, it was very difficult.

“We didn’t control the game at all, but we didn’t concede a goal so we were still in the match.

“In the second half, it was much better. It wasn’t perfect but it was much better.

“Every game in this league is very competitive, especially away.

“We know exactly what we have to improve. Today it was clearly about how we press and deal with the ball under pressure.

[themaclad]