Media mash-up continues as a batch of local reporters preview Sunderland’s latest fixture providing insight, analysis and opinion.
Next up, Nick Barnes, James Hunter and Richard Mennear preview the Lads’ home game against Crystal Palace as Premier League football returns.
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
The boost of the win at Queens Park Rangers can’t be underestimated for the lift it will undeniably have given the players but there is, as we saw on Wednesday night, a big gap between the Championship and the Premier League, albeit QPR made eight changes so perhaps the comparison is a little skewed. That said Sunderland made five changes and it was quite a youthful eleven. Perhaps more interesting was the two up front played by David Moyes which allowed Didier Ndong to blossom on the right. Will Moyes opt to play two against Palace? I doubt it but it would certainly give Jermain Defoe a fighting chance. The question though would be who to partner him? Sunderland have four important matches coming up in the Premier League. If they were sitting more comfortably in the table they would be fixtures to welcome, most importantly they have to stop the losing run and I would bring John O’Shea in alongside Lamine Kone for his experience and organisation. There’s plenty of time to nurture Papy Djilibodji but not in these critical matches.
Richard Mennear (@RichMennearJP) – Sunderland Echo
There is no point sugarcoating it, this is a huge week for Sunderland AFC. Back-to-back home games at the Stadium of Light represents a massive opportunity to get the season up and running. With the second international break just around the corner, Sunderland need to have picked up at least one win before then. The thought of heading into the break without a win doesn't bare thinking about, with Sunderland in danger of being cut adrift already. First up is the visit of Crystal Palace. Sunderland head into the game fresh from the morale-boosting win over QPR in midweek in the EFL Cup. David Moyes made six changes for the game, expect a similar amount for Palace with the return of Lamine Kone, Jermain Defoe, Lee Cattermole, Javier Manquillo. It's a big if, but should Sunderland pick up back-to-back home wins they would be on seven points from seven games. That would represent a steady start. The pressure is on. Sunderland need to show they can handle it.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
The midweek cup win at QPR has been good for morale, but what Sunderland really need to lift spirits is a first league win of the season. Should their winless streak stretch to six games – and into October – it will be a major headache for David Moyes. Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace were terrible in the second half of last season, and the new campaign started in the same vein, although they have sparked into life of late having taken seven points from their last three games. Summer signing Christian Benteke will be Palace's biggest threat and it will be a fascinating battle between the big Belgian and Lamine Kone. Most importantly, Sunderland cannot afford any more of the defensive errors that have cost them so dearly in the last two league games against Spurs and Everton. And at the other end, they will need fit-again Jermain Defoe to be razor-sharp and take any chance that comes his way if the Black Cats are to finally get that first win.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.
