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’ away match against Watford at Vicarage Road.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
After a stop-start March which saw Sunderland play only two games, Saturday's trip to Watford is the first of six games in April. And with a seven-point gap between themselves and safety, they must start winning games - draws are of no use now, as the disappointment at the goalless stalemate against Burnley proved. Sunderland did at least keep a clean sheet against the Clarets, and created as many chances as they have in a game all season, but could not make them count - they cannot afford to let Watford off the hook in the same manner this weekend. The Black Cats have already beaten Watford this season and could complete their first league double. But the Hornets have beaten the likes of Man U, Arsenal, and Everton, this season and cannot be taken lightly.
Richard Mennear (@RichMennearJP) – Sunderland Echo
Premier League action returns this weekend with Sunderland in desperate need of three points at Vicarage Road to spark a winning-run heading into the final stages of the season. The latest two-week break has meant plenty of time for reflection following the goalless draw with Burnley with the club's status as a top-flight team in the balance. Heading into Saturday, Sunderland should be buoyed by the 1-0 win over Saturday's opponents back at the Stadium of Light in mid-December, the fourth win in a seven-game period that had brought about a renewed sense of optimism. How Sunderland could do with a repeat performance this weekend. Jermain Defoe's England recall and inevitable goal on his return to the international fold should see him brimming with confidence but others need to step up to the plate too. This weekend marks the start of a busy run of games. Time is clearly not on Sunderland's side but there remains more than a quarter of a season still to play with key players Victor Anichebe and Lee Cattermole closing in on a return. Cause for optimism ahead of a massive weekend. Three points - however they get them - is a must.
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
Sunderland will head to Vicarage Road boosted by hope for returns for Lee Cattermole and Victor Anichebe, and while one has to accept neither, and especially Cattermole, will be anywhere close to match fitness, their presence alone is a boon. At the very least they may be on the bench and for David Moyes to have them to call upon has got to be a major positive with games running out and their hopes of survival slim to say the least. Jermain Defoe will be buoyed by his England experience and Jordan Pickford was man of the match in the one Under 21 game in which he featured. They are the lynchpin of the team and if Moyes can find a formula to get the ball to Defoe more often you always believe they can get something from the game. For that though much rests on the shoulders of Fabio Borini and Adnan Januzaj and now is the time for them to stand up and be counted. It’s hard to see David Moyes electing to start with Whabi Khazri so the attack rests on the shoulders of those three - Borini, Januzaj and Defoe. Defensively Watford will test Sunderland with the pace of Deeney but Sunderland will hope it’s Younes Kaboul at the other end that one hopes is the busier on the afternoon.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.