Roker Roundup: Josh Maja, take note! Joel Asoro on his struggles since leaving Sunderland

Asoro hoping for first-team chance

As Josh Maja’s contract wrangle rumbles on and the likelihood of him leaving increases, the plight of his former Sunderland team-mate Joel Asoro could serve as a warning for the club’s top scorer.

Asoro started the season well for Swansea but has been demoted to the Welsh club’s development squad since October.

The Swedish forward did score for the under-23s in a 2-0 win over Oxford United at the weekend after being set up by Yan Dhanda, and he is hoping that goal will give him the confidence to make another first-team push:

I’m happy to play for the under-23s because, at the end of the day, it’s providing the game time that I need.

I’m just trying to get my confidence back. Hopefully, I can bring that to the team as well as some energy.

Yan played a great through ball and, as soon as I got the chance, it was important that I took it because it could’ve been the only clear one that I had all game.

The coaches are the ones ensuring I get a chance to play, so it’s important that I try to make something good out of it, that way, they know I’m trying my best to work my way back.

Whether it’s tomorrow or any time, I’ve got to do something to try to get back in the first team. So long as I do everything I can then, hopefully, the rest will take care of itself.

Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images

Duo start for Guingamp

Former Sunderland duo Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong started for the first time together for Guingamp last night.

Both players had already made their debut for the club, featuring once each in separate games. Ndong struggling during a defeat by Saint Etienne and Djilobodji coming on as a substitute as PSG won 9-0.

Things went better last night though, with Djilobodji scoring the extra time winner for Guingamp against Ligue 2 strugglers Nancy in the Coupe de France and Ndong impressing with energy from midfield.

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Oxford eyeing bumper crowd

Oxford United have sold over 8,000 tickets so far for the February 9th League One clash against Sunderland at the Kassam Stadium.

The club are hoping to surpass 10,000 by the the all ticket fixture comes around and are giving fans incentive to buy tickets, with giveaways after every 1,000 tickets are sold:

8,000 – Two places at our End of Season Awards Dinner (winners will be notified soon).

9,000 – Training Ground Experience including lunch with the squad

10,000 – Free 2019/20 Season Ticket and walk out with the teams at the Sunderland match

In addition to this for each 1,000 an OX4Life junior supporter will win the chance to be a mascot for the Sunderland match, including full kit.

Finally, should we reach 11,500 for this match, there will be a further prize of £1000 cash which will be awarded to one lucky Season Ticket Holder or home Match Ticket Purchaser.

Oxford’s biggest attendance of the season so far was in the 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup, in front of 11,956 but their biggest home crowd in the league was 8,978 against Southend United on Boxing Day.