Hartlepool United v
Sunderland
Victoria Park
Tuesday 18 July
7.30pm
Sunderland return to north-east action on Tuesday evening with a trip to local side Hartlepool United.
Simon Grayson will be looking for a response at Victoria Park after expressing his displeasure at the Black Cats’ performance during a 3-0 defeat to St Johnstone last time out.
And the Sunderland manager could make changes with Aiden McGeady on the cusp of his Sunderland debut…
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Aiden McGeady’s arrival has caused quite the stir on Wearside with fans buzzing to see their new recruit in action. Manager Grayson described him as an ‘outstanding performer’ following his move from Everton and rated him as the most talented player he’d worked with during an impressive career. Quite the statement and that alone comes with its own pressure, but the Republic of Ireland has shown he’s more than capable of handling it after starring for Celtic, Spartak Moscow and Everton before taking the Championship by storm last season with Preston North End. Speaking ahead of the game, the Black Cats boss teased that McGeady could feature at Victoria Park after training at the Academy of Light in recent days.
BOUNCING BACK
Sunderland and Hartlepool United endured mirrored fortunes last season as both clubs were relegated from their respective leagues. But while the Black Cats’ fate was sealed early on, Pools suffered a heartbreaking turn of events as a late Newport County winner against Notts County snatched safety from their grasp at the finish line. A summer of change has seen a switch at the helm with Craig Harrison taking over the managerial post vacated by Dave Jones in April, and the former New Saints boss has impressed so far with a number of shrewd signings, including Scott Loach and Blair Adams, as he builds towards the National League season. And both sides will also be looking to bounce back from defeat on Tuesday, with Sunderland losing north of the border as Pools were defeated 2-1 by Harrogate Town.
RIGHT-BACK IN THE THICK OF IT
Forget new signings and youngsters exploding onto the scene, it’s a current Black Cat who is striving towards a place in the starting XI against Derby County in the Championship curtain-raiser. Adam Matthews’ time at the Stadium of Light looked over before it began at one point, with the Welshman left on the fringes under Sam Allardyce before being loaned out by David Moyes, but he’s featured prominently this pre-season and as he clocks up the minutes he continues to improve. The 26-year-old is the only player to complete 90 minutes so far, featuring at both right-back and left-back, and he’s definitely one to watch out for on Tuesday as it looks like he could be a regular member of the squad during the upcoming campaign.
HALFWAY REVIEW
The Black Cats are now at the halfway point of their pre-season campaign and they’ve won two, drawn one and lost one. So far fitness has been the focus but as the Sky Bet Championship season approaches they’ll be looking to add quality to their foundations. Wahbi Khazri, Jeremain Lens and Josh Maja have been the standout performers in attack with each of the trio netting on two occasions, and Grayson will be looking for others to follow suit and fight for a place in the starting XI against Derby. Mannone is expected to start but Mika and Max Stryjek will be hoping for a chance to impress and earn a place in the matchday squad, with the likes of Donald Love and Matthews also vying for a place against the Rams. Time will tell, but time is running out to stake a claim…