Ahead of Friday’s meeting against Doncaster Rovers at the Stadium of Light, we caught up with Paul Goodwin, who is a Sunderland fan, from Donny to find out about our opponents…
First question, what has this season been like for Doncaster – presumably you have exceeded expectations?
PG: Very good - and very enjoyable too.
The majority of Rovers fans were hoping for a steady improvement upon last season's 15th place finish.
But from the minute Grant McCann arrived last summer the aim inside the camp has been promotion.
McCann's positive attitude, and the positive way he sets the team up, has helped this team kick on.
Darren Ferguson laid some solid foundations, but McCann has released the shackles, recruited very well and got Rovers playing some entertaining, expansive football.
What have you made of Sunderland’s season so far?
PG: I'm a Sunderland lad and former season ticket holder at Roker Park and the Stadium of Light so I've been keeping a very close eye on them!
They produced an incredibly resilient performance at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier in the season, one that suggested to me they had what it takes to go up automatically.
Only losing three games up to this point is a tremendous effort given the scale of the change at the club since the summer.
But now it's all about holding your nerve and getting over the finish line. The more experienced players in the squad really need to stand up and be counted.
Which player should Sunderland fans be worried about from Doncaster and why?
PG: There are a few. Young striker Mallik Wilks, on loan from Leeds United, has been in excellent form and will provide a threat cutting in from the right.
John Marquis will be out to impress after the events of the January transfer window and the evergreen James Coppinger, as an ex-Newcastle United player, will be eager to shine.
Midfielder Herbie Kane, on loan from Liverpool, is someone the Sunderland fans would appreciate. He has endless energy, tenacity and vision, and is destined for big things.
Finally, what is your score prediction?
PG: I'm sitting firmly on the fence here! 1-1
