Black Cats face 'must-win' test against Baggies
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Sunderland face a must-win game as they travel to West Brom
Saturday should make for an interesting afternoon of football for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, if the murmurings in the press during the week are anything to go by, Lee Cattermole looks set to complete his startling return to the first team fold. If youd have dared suggest such a situation little more than a month ago you could quite easily have found yourself belittled, mocked or even locked up, such is the unbelievable turnaround in the former captains fortunes.
Paolo Di Canio will hope that his midfield general can provide some bite in the centre of the park, breaking up the play and winning possession which in turn will give licence to Ki Sung-Yeung to work some magic ahead of him.
Secondly, the Gods of football have thrown another interesting story into the mix as former Sunderland fan favourite, Stephane Sessegnon, having received clearance to play looks set to make his debut for West Brom.
Sessegnon cut a mercurial figure on Wearside. Capable of the sublime, magical and match-winning moments of brilliance one week to barely even breaking sweat or looking interested for the following two or three. I cant remember a player as frustrating as Sessegnon at Sunderland for many a year. There is no doubting his ability whatsoever and indeed he should really be plying his trade at a higher level but that is purely a result of his maddening inconsistency.
Never the less you wouldnt put it past Sessegnon to have one of those days on Saturday, coming back to haunt his former club, thats just what happens in football isnt it I suppose the best we can hope for is that the little fella does a Shelvey.
Finally, Saturday is quite simply a must win game for Sunderland. With only four games gone of the new season I am perfectly aware of how preposterous that will sound, but with Sunderland facing Liverpool, Manchester United and a tricky trip to Swansea before the small matter of the Wear/Tyne derby, Di Canio really needs to get some points on the board as soon as possible.
West Brom, much like Sunderland, find themselves at the wrong end of the table at this stage of the season, although the Baggies have an additional point for their efforts, having snatched an injury time equaliser last time out at Craven Cottage.
Despite having come undone against Arsenal last weekend, there were reasons for Sunderland fans to be positive from their sides second half performance which produced a display that could very well have earned a share of the spoils. Should Sunderland present West Brom with such a challenge from the first whistle, as opposed to waiting until half-time before getting going, they may very well have a chance of victory and in turn ease some of the pressure that has been mounting on Di Canio.
Saturday should make for an interesting afternoon of football for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, if the murmurings in the press during the week are anything to go by, Lee Cattermole looks set to complete his startling return to the first team fold. If youd have dared suggest such a situation little more than a month ago you could quite easily have found yourself belittled, mocked or even locked up, such is the unbelievable turnaround in the former captains fortunes.
Paolo Di Canio will hope that his midfield general can provide some bite in the centre of the park, breaking up the play and winning possession which in turn will give licence to Ki Sung-Yeung to work some magic ahead of him.
Secondly, the Gods of football have thrown another interesting story into the mix as former Sunderland fan favourite, Stephane Sessegnon, having received clearance to play looks set to make his debut for West Brom.
Sessegnon cut a mercurial figure on Wearside. Capable of the sublime, magical and match-winning moments of brilliance one week to barely even breaking sweat or looking interested for the following two or three. I cant remember a player as frustrating as Sessegnon at Sunderland for many a year. There is no doubting his ability whatsoever and indeed he should really be plying his trade at a higher level but that is purely a result of his maddening inconsistency.
Never the less you wouldnt put it past Sessegnon to have one of those days on Saturday, coming back to haunt his former club, thats just what happens in football isnt it I suppose the best we can hope for is that the little fella does a Shelvey.
Finally, Saturday is quite simply a must win game for Sunderland. With only four games gone of the new season I am perfectly aware of how preposterous that will sound, but with Sunderland facing Liverpool, Manchester United and a tricky trip to Swansea before the small matter of the Wear/Tyne derby, Di Canio really needs to get some points on the board as soon as possible.
West Brom, much like Sunderland, find themselves at the wrong end of the table at this stage of the season, although the Baggies have an additional point for their efforts, having snatched an injury time equaliser last time out at Craven Cottage.
Despite having come undone against Arsenal last weekend, there were reasons for Sunderland fans to be positive from their sides second half performance which produced a display that could very well have earned a share of the spoils. Should Sunderland present West Brom with such a challenge from the first whistle, as opposed to waiting until half-time before getting going, they may very well have a chance of victory and in turn ease some of the pressure that has been mounting on Di Canio.
