1/1/2019
I think it is necessary to first appreciate how much Blackpool have accomplished in 2018. Blackpool, against all odds, have assembled what is a competitive and talented group of players, the platform that Gary Bowyer built and Terry McPhillips is continuing is nothing short of extraordinary considering the circumstances. The metaphorical elephant in the room still remains though. The way in which Owen Oyston runs the club has not changed and, with him now being burdened by an economic based injunction, the club's future seems up in the air. It is a quite appalling state of affairs.
Sunderland visit the Seaside along with just south of 8000 fans behind them, they will turn Bloomfield Road red and white. This, on the face of it, might seem like a tough prospect, but it could be essential preparation for Arsenal.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Blackpool could thankfully see the return of Curtis Tilt and as recent results have suggested, he is key to Blackpool's formula for success. Jordan Thompson will miss through suspension and doubts remain over Ollie Turton. Jimmy Ryan and Max Clayton can not be too far from returning, but will be missing out for the time being.
Oviedo is almost certainly going to be absent for Sunderland, with Honeyman also likely to be at least be on the bench.
The History:
Sunderland is a club of fantastic history and is a club that should never be fighting it out in League One. The club has won the FA Cup twice and the first division six times after being founded in 1879. The Black Cats were an ever present part of the early first division, remaining in the division for an outstanding sixty-eight seasons.
Recent times have proved much more tough for them though with consecutive relegations sending the club into free fall. The fans have remained supportive, 46,039 piled into the Stadium of Light on boxing day, and this support has helped them on their way to third place, with two games in hand.
After Simon Grayson left the club in a precarious position last season, eventually meaning that the Black Cats were relegated, stone cold bottom of the Championship, questions were certainly raised as to how the club would fare in League One, but all credit to them and Jack Ross, as they target an instant Championship return.
The Manager:
Jack Ross is still young in management terms, but he has already managed three clubs. The Scottish manager was utilised as both a defender and midfielder in his playing days which was predominantly spent in Scotland. The bulk of his career was spent at Clyde where he played 159 times, but he also had spells at Hartlepool, Falkirk and St Mirrin. He career was sadly cut short in 2011 through a knee injury, but this opened up management as an option.
Once being introduced to coaching at Dumbarton as assistant manager he quickly gathered interest. A successful stint as the coach of the Heart of Midlothian under-20 team in 2014 led him on to further management jobs at Alloa Athletic and St Mirren. It was his promotion from the Scottish Championship with the latter that would eventually attract Sunderland and he was appointed in May 2018.
The Players:
Go back just two years and Sunderland are a Premier League side and their squad certainly reflect this quality. The experience of Jon McLaughlin in goal has given Sunderland a great platform to build on and defensively they have been brilliant. Players such as Mathews and Oviedo are men to look out for at the back, with real class and a calmness about them, they have been a great influence on the squad.
When you look at creative players though, it just gets better. They have Championship class in this area, as a minimum. Power, McGeady, Cattermole and O'Nien just to name a few, and their service to the likes of Maja or Wyke make them one of the most effective and deadly attack forces in the League, that has depth other sides can only dream of.
Stats:
Two games in hand, losing just twice all season and sitting in third, it is clear things are looking good for Sunderland in League One. They have won 54% of the time and will hope to return to more consistent form with just three wins in their last eight matches, but Blackpool boast what is still one of the best defences in the League, albeit one that is heavily reliant on Curtis Tilt.
Sunderland are scoring and not conceding. A lethal combination as they have scored 1.88 goals on average per game and conceded just 1.00. It will certainly be tight, but Sunderland are firm favourites for sure.
UTP
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