‘Show me everything you’ve got’
The message from Chris Coleman mirrors that of the fans as Sunderland prepare to face Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, KO 3pm.
Here’s your all you need to know guide ahead of this weekend’s latest round of Sky Bet Championship fixtures…
A FORMER FACE
The Boss welcomes his former club Fulham to Wearside this weekend, a club he played for as well as managed. Coleman joined Fulham for £2 million and was made club captain before leading them to promotion in 1998/99. After seeing his career cut short through injury, Coleman became a coach at Craven Cottage under boss Jean Tigana before succeeding him in May 2003. At the time, Coleman was the youngest manager in the Premier League and went on to record a 9th place finish during his first full season in 2003/04. Further midtable finishes followed as Coleman spent another two seasons in West London before parting ways with them.
MIXED BAG
Of late, the Cottagers' form has been rather mixed with them winning three of their last eight league matches. Currently 12th, Slaviša Jokanović’s team have slipped down the table and are now eight points off the play-offs. After reaching the play-offs last term, hopes were high at the start of the season of another promotion push, however, those hopes have dwindled of late. That said, victory over Birmingham City last weekend has provided fresh hope ahead of a hectic festive period.
HOME DOUBLE
Fulham’s visit to Wearside is Sunderland’s penultimate home match of 2017, with Birmingham City coming next Saturday. Still chasing a home win this calendar year, the Black Cats have two opportunities over the next week to overcome ‘their demons’ as the boss phrased it and kick on this season. Having secured back-to-back clean sheets on the road in recent weeks, as well as collected four points from a possible nine – Coleman’s aim now is three points on home soil.
TEAM NEWS
Paddy McNair and Bryan Oviedo will miss tomorrow’s Sky Bet Championship match against Fulham. The Northern Ireland international has been sidelined since limping off in the warm-up against Reading before Oviedo departed early in the second period. The duo missed last weekend’s trip to the West Midlands, and speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday Coleman has ruled the pair out of Saturday’s homecoming fixture. The Welshman did, however, confirm Didier Ndong has trained well over the last week but refused to be drawn on whether the midfielder would feature against Fulham. Meanwhile, Callum McManaman returns from suspension while Lee Cattermole will miss out through suspension.
CASH TURNSTILES
Cash turnstiles will be in operation when Sunderland host Fulham on Saturday (KO 3pm). The game will mark Chris Coleman’s second match at the Stadium of Light as the Black Cats look to build on last weekend’s point against the Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves. Supporters will be able to pay on the gate at turnstiles 44, 45 and 46 in the East Stand. Tickets remain on sale from the ticket office and are priced from £25 for adults, £19 for over-65s, £16 for under-22s and £10 for under-16s.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
If you’re unable to attend we have comprehensive coverage of all the action as it happens across our digital channels.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be in the commentary booth from 2pm, with minute-by-minute analysis available right here and across social media from Twitter to Instagram.