Nick Barnes, Roy Kelly and James Hunter preview Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion.
The trio share their thoughts on the game providing insight, analysis and opinion as the Black Cats head to the Hawthorns.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
Sunderland put on a pre-Christmas surge, but since then their momentum has stalled with only one point picked up from their last four games. The Black Cats have failed to take advantage of opportunities to haul themselves out of the bottom three in recent weeks, but will have another chance tomorrow – if they win at West Brom, and depending how Crystal Palace fare against Everton. Unless Victor Anichebe or Steven Pienaar are passed fit, David Moyes will have the same squad to pick from that he took to Burnley for the midweek FA Cup replay. Sunderland looked toothless at Turf Moor but the return of Jermain Defoe to the starting XI should at least increase their goal threat at The Hawthorns. West Brom are riding high in eighth place, however, and will be clear favourites.
Roy Kelly (@RoyKellySport) – Sunderland Echo
Sunderland must use their heads at the Hawthorns ... in more ways than one. West Bromwich Albion are strong on their own patch. Very Strong, maybe not as invincible as Chelsea or Burnley, sorry for mentioning that word. However, the Baggies are pretty good themselves, having won four of their last five in the top flight there. When Tony Pulis is talked about, you hear comments like 'resilient', 'hard-working' and 'organised'. They are all of the above but they are scoring plenty as well, 13 along the way in that five-game sequence. And while we are on the subject of numbers here's the West Brom killer stat in case it's the sudden-death question in your pub quiz tonight. Of WBA's 28 Premier League goals, 12 have come from corners or free-kicks. Alas, you don't need many fingers to count the Sunderland numbers, or should I say number. No, the Baggies are going to be a threat at set-pieces. Sunderland must use their heads to get them away from Vito Mannone's net but they must also use their nous. Don't concede needless free-kicks or corners. In fact, don't concede them full stop. You have been warned. And if that answer comes up in the pub quiz, mine's a pint!
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
A reaction is badly needed at the Hawthorns to the defeats by Stoke City and Burnley, but it’s hard to see how Sunderland are going to bounce back with the team looking low on confidence and short in supplies. However, there was much the same feeling before the game at Bournemouth and despite playing a significant part of the match with 10 men, Pickford pulling off a series of outstanding saves and Victor Anichebe playing like a man possessed, Sunderland won. As much as it may seem clutching at straws Sunderland need another afternoon akin to that at the Vitality Stadium. They need a morale booster and as tough as it seems it’s going to be at West Bromwich Albion, where it always is, they need to grind out a result. Gary Bennett implores them to play defensively. Keep a clean sheet. It’s a back to basics approach but it worked last season and it is just what Sunderland need to do again to try to turn things around. On Saturday January 21st 2006 Sunderland won their last top flight match at West Brom. A scrappy goal from Anthony Le Tallec gave them a 1-0 win. It’s just what they need this Saturday.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.
