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’ trip to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
Richard Mennear (@RichMennearJP) – Sunderland Echo
Sunderland's trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is an opportunity to lay some ghosts to rest. First and foremost, can the Black Cats finally end their record of not having won a Premier League game in August and September since 2012? They will be up against it at White Hart Lane, though, with the game again being televised live. After the 3-0 humbling by Everton on Monday night, the last thing David Moyes would have wanted is another high-profile game. But that is the nature of the beast in the Premier League. Sunday also sees Jan Kirchhoff return to the scene of his debut as a Sunderland player. It was a January afternoon to forget for the German, with the Black Cats thumped 4-1. Since then, Kirchhoff has, of course, established himself as an integral and influential member of the Sunderland side. He is back to full fitness now and Sunderland need him more than ever if they are to kick-start their campaign.
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
Monday night brought us down to earth with a bump. A very heavy bump. To have to now face Spurs isn’t the ideal match with which to look to bounce back but as is so often the case the effect of the Everton defeat will be to focus minds. The second half on Monday was alarming, more so since David Moyes had been working so hard on defence the previous week and rest assured he will have done so again this week. It was a wake-up call for Papy Djilibodji and Lamine Kone both of whom in fairness had looked fine in the first half. There’s no accounting why they then went on walkabout, but one only has to remember Jan Kirchhoff’s debut at White Hart Lane last season and his subsequent form to see that players are resilient and will bounce back from setbacks. We know what Kone is capable of and we’ve seen enough of Djilibodji to suggest he can become a good partner in central defence. It’s all part of the learning curve. Spurs will unquestionably be looking for a reaction to their Champions League defeat but Sunderland are looking for a reaction too. The first 20 minutes on Sunday will be key and Sunderland can’t afford to concede an early goal. Likewise, they need to concentrate for the whole match not three-quarters.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
Sunderland's second-half collapse against Everton demonstrated the dangers of a lack of defensive discipline. And if the Black Cats fail to learn their lesson, they could be on the wrong end of a painful defeat against a Spurs side full of attacking talent. To that end, it is no surprise that David Moyes is looking to add some experience to his side and Lee Cattermole's return to fitness means he is likely to be involved for the first time this season – although his lack of match fitness is hardly ideal. But in the current situation, Moyes has to make tough decisions. Sunderland have started the season with a four-game winless streak, and the longer that run continues, the more the pressure will build. Realistically, I can't see Sunderland ending their eight-year wait for a win at White Hart Lane this weekend, but if they could bring home a point it would be a decent result.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.
DAFABET
Tottenham v Sunderland
Jermain Defoe to score two or more goals NOW 28/1 (was 22/1)
Duncan Watmore to score the first goal NOW 20/1 (was 16/1)
Sunderland to win half-time/ full-time NOW 20/1 (was 16/1)
Sunderland to win and over 2.5 goals NOW 20/1 (was 16/1)