safc.com are pleased to reveal the latest feature ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League season, Media Mash-Up.
The feature will see a batch of local reporters and journalists preview Sunderland’s latest fixtures providing insight, analysis and opinion.
First up, Nick Barnes, James Hunter and Richard Mennear preview the Lads’ trip to Manchester City as the Premier League returns.
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
I put it to Fabio Borini and Vito Mannone there’s no better time to play Manchester City than on this opening weekend and neither disagreed. Pep Guardiola has spent many millions on rebuilding the squad at the Etihad but already has been beset with injuries. That is a positive for Sunderland as Guardiola looks to juggle his squad at the same time as his players are getting used to his new system and style of play. Although last weekend’s friendly with Arsenal is not necessarily a barometer of how Manchester City will line up against Sunderland there was nothing to suggest the alarm bells should ring. Kevin de Bruyne though remains the threat for me after his devastating display last season but Sunderland have been difficult to beat in pre-season and with a solid team spirit and a never say die attitude which I’m sure David Moyes will enforce, I think Sunderland should be able to hold their own.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
Manchester City, away, with Pep Guardiola taking charge of his first game – David Moyes could hardly have asked for a tougher start to his reign at Sunderland. The Black Cats have fitness worries over key men Jermain Defoe and Jan Kirchhoff which makes their task all the more difficult. In contrast City have splashed out around £120m, adding the likes of John Stones, Nolito, Ilkay Gundogan, and Leroy Sane to their already star-studded squad. Sunderland have upset City before, but on paper this fixture looks more of a mismatch than ever. Their best hope is to catch Guardiola and his team cold on the opening day.
Richard Mennear (@RichMennearJP) – Sunderland Echo
Opening day fixtures don't come much tougher than Manchester City away - especially when they have a new manager keen to make an instant impression. Pep Guardiola will oversee his first Premier League game but Sunderland shouldn't feel daunted in what will also be David Moyes first competitive game in charge of the Black Cats. For starters, City have experimented with a number of formations this summer - does Guardiola know his best system or starting XI yet? England international John Stones is set to make his debut in a back three, a change from City's usual back four of recent seasons. Will they be familiar playing that way so soon into the season? Sunderland have a tried and tested formation and are unbeaten in pre-season and their performances have been promising. The game will be won - or lost - in midfield, with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne City's key men.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.
