Roker Report - Swansea vs. Sunderland: LIVESunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51357/rr-fav.png2015-02-07T17:35:33+00:00http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/rss/stream/77593642015-02-07T17:35:33+00:002015-02-07T17:35:33+00:00Swansea 1-1 Sunderland: Player Ratings
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<figcaption>Michael Steele/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We rate the players after a well earned point at the Liberty Stadium.</p> <h3>Costel Pantilimon - 7</h3>
<p>A typically assured display from the reliable Romanian. Came out of his goal quickly to deny Bafetimbi Gomis and made a couple of smart stops but had no chance with the goal.</p>
<h3>Anthony Reveillere - 6</h3>
<p>Solid defensively but despite one good run and resulting cross, which resulted in Jordi Gomez shooting wide, wasn't really involved in attacking areas.</p>
<h3>Santiago Vergini - 6</h3>
<p>Seems to be growing more confident in central defence, dealt well with Gomis.</p>
<h3>John O'Shea - 8</h3>
<p>MOTM - See below</p>
<h3>Patrick van Aanholt - 6</h3>
<p>Had a good battle with Nathan Dyer throughout. Didn't quite happen for him going forward.</p>
<h3>Liam Bridcutt - 6</h3>
<p>Solid display from the holding midfielder as he managed to keep Jonjo Shelvey quiet and less influential than usual.</p>
<h3>Seb Larsson - 6</h3>
<p>Worked as hard as usual but not quite at his best.</p>
<h3>Jordi Gomez - 6</h3>
<p>Had one shot fly wide of the post from Reveillere's cross, played one good ball through to Jermain Defoe and a great cross to Danny Graham, both of which had to be well dealt with by the Swansea defence. Despite being behind some of our better chances, of which there were few, struggled with the team playing too deep.</p>
<h3>Ricky Alvarez - 6</h3>
<p>Looked lively and confident in the first half but like Gomez suffered with the team playing too deep, tired in the second half.</p>
<h3>Danny Graham - 5</h3>
<p>Couldn't get into the game with Sunderland letting the home side have the majority of possession. Had half a chance from a Gomez cross but will be disappointed not to have made more of an impact in what was a rare start for the former Swansea striker.</p>
<h3>Jermain Defoe - 8</h3>
<p>Showed why we signed him with a top class run and finish to give us the lead. Always looked to make something happen and was easily our best attacking outlet.</p>
<h3>Adam Johnson (Sub) - 5</h3>
<p>Couldn't get into the game as Swansea equalised almost as soon as he came on and we seemed to settle for a point.</p>
<h3>Steven Fletcher (Sub) - 5</h3>
<p>Put himself about but didn't have a chance to press his claims for a start against QPR.</p>
<h3>Man Of The Match - John O'Shea</h3>
<p>Just edged out Defoe as the best player on the pitch for the visitors. Really showing his experience this season and instrumental in Vergini's improvement in central defence. Kept Gomis under wraps and put in a real captain's performance.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2015/2/7/7995949/swansea-1-1-sunderland-player-ratingsAndy Tomlinson2015-02-07T17:03:12+00:002015-02-07T17:03:12+00:00Match Report: Swansea City 1-1 Sunderland
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<figcaption>Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sunderland and Swansea shared the points in a well contested battle at the Liberty Stadium.</p> <p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>A 41<sup>st</sup> minute strike from Jermain Defoe was cancelled out by a Ki Sung Yueng header in the second half as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a> head back to Wearside with a point.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>The opening chance of the game fell to Swansea after 8 minutes through striker Bafetimbi Gomis. A sustained period of Swansea possession ended with a good strike from the edge of the box which whistled narrowly wide of goal.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>It took Sunderland a while to find their feet but when they settled and started to pass the ball around they looked dangerous. Jermain Defoe was denied by a last ditch tackle by Fernandez and Gomez struck a shot wide after latching on to Reveillere’s cut back.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Although Sunderland looked in control, their confident start was nearly undone on 19 minutes after some static defending. <span>Jonjo Shelvey</span> was allowed to latch onto a through ball inside the box and was only denied the opening goal by a deflection by Vergini which sent the ball inches wide.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Swansea started to up the pressure after the Black Cats had enjoyed a comfortable spell, and they should have broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. A good run from Shelvey created space for Dyer who slipped in Gomis but the Frenchman’s shot was saved superbly by Pantilimon.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Sunderland were given a reprieve on 40 minutes when Swansea thought they had scored the opening goal. A free kick was whipped in by Shelvey and met by Ki who swept the ball past Pantilimon but fortunately for Sunderland the flag went up for offside.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>And after thinking they had scored the opening goal, one minute later Swansea had conceded the opening goal. Bridcutt played in Defoe who jinked past Fernandez and unleashed a low shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner to give Sunderland the advantage at half time.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>The second half got off to a lively start as Sunderland had a penalty appeal waived away in the opening minute. Alvarez took on Williams and went down under his challenge but Phil Dowd didn’t give it.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>At the other end Shelvey’s free kick was met at the back post by Fernandez but his rushed shot blazed over from ten yards.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Swansea got their equaliser on 66 minutes through Sunderland old boy Ki Sung Yueng. A pin point cross by <span>Kyle Naughton</span> found an unmarked Ki six yards from goal and his diving header powered past Pantilimon.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Swansea were dominant after getting the equaliser and they saw attempts from Naughton and Oliveira saved by Pantilimon. But Sunderland held on for a deserved point in Wales which keeps their new found momentum going.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><strong><span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city">Swansea City</a> </span></strong><b>(4-2-3-1):</b> Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor (Rangel 67’), Ki, Cork, Shelvey (Oliveira 78’), Dyer, Barrow (Montero 46’), Gomis.</p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><b><span>Subs</span></b><span>:<span> </span></span><span>Tremmel, Rangel, Amat, Oliveira, Carroll, Fulton, Montero.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><i><span>Goals: Ki (66’)</span></i></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span> </span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Sunderland (4-1-3-2):</span></b><span> Pantilimon, Van Aanholt, Vergini, O'Shea (c), Reveillere, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Alvarez (Johnson 64’), Graham (Fletcher 75’), Defoe.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Subs:</span></b><span> Mannone, Brown, Coates, Agnew, Smith, Fletcher, Johnson.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="MsoNormal"><i><span>Goals: Defoe (41’)</span></i><span></span></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2015/2/7/7995965/swansea-city-1-1-sunderland-old-boy-ki-grabs-point-for-swanseaDavid McColgan2015-02-07T14:08:51+00:002015-02-07T14:08:51+00:00Swansea City vs. Sunderland: Confirmed Line-ups
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<figcaption>Richard Sellers/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The teams are in!</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Gus Poyet makes three changes. Costel Pantilimon, Seb Larsson and Danny Graham come in for Vito Manonne, </span><span>Emanuele Giaccherini and Steven Fletcher.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><strong><span>Swansea City </span></strong><b>(4-2-3-1):</b><span> </span> Lukasz Fabianski, Kyle Naughton, Federico Fernandez, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Ki Sung Yueng<span>, Jack Cork</span><span>, Jonjo Shelvey, </span><span>Nathan Dyer, Modou Barrow</span>, Bafetimbi Gomis.</p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><b><span>Subs</span></b><span>:<span> </span></span><span>Gerhard Tremmel, Angel Rangel, Jordi Amat, Nelson Oliveira, Tom Carroll, Jay Fulton, Jefferson Montero.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><span> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><b><span>Sunderland (4-1-3-2):<span> </span></span></b><span>Costel Pantilimon, Patrick van Aanholt, Santiago Vergini, John O'Shea (c), Anthony Reveillere, Liam Bridcutt, Seb Larsson, Jordi Gomez, Ricky Alvarez, Danny Graham, Jermain Defoe.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 12pt 0cm; line-height: 150%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" class="pgh-paragraph"><b><span>Subs:<span> </span></span></b><span>Vito Mannone, Wes Brown, Seb Coates, Emanuele Giaccherini, Liam Agnew, Steven Fletcher, Adam Johnson.</span></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2015/2/7/7995413/swansea-city-vs-sunderland-confirmed-line-upsDavid McColgan2015-02-07T09:00:02+00:002015-02-07T09:00:02+00:00Preview: Black Cats Look To Make It Three In A Row
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<img alt="Gus Poyet and Garry Monk during the 0-0 draw earlier this season." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5aQzso5tZ0n21KnO5J_LW9S0c_Y=/0x67:3000x2067/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45639978/456198590.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gus Poyet and Garry Monk during the 0-0 draw earlier this season. | Nigel Roddis/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sunderland head to Swansea as they look to win three games on the bounce after victories over Burnley and Fulham.</p> <h3>Sunderland Team News</h3>
<p>Connor Wickham is out for Sunderland after picking up a calf strain during the pre-match warm up against Fulham and he joins Lee Cattermole on the sidelines. Jack Rodwell, Adam Johnson, Billy Jones, Will Buckley and Emanuele Giaccherini will all face late fitness tests but may not be risked with next Tuesday's home game against QPR in mind.</p>
<p>Seb Larsson has recovered from a slight strain he picked up against Burnley and is likely to return to the starting line-up after missing the win over Fulham while Danny Graham is pushing for a start after recent impressive performances as a substitute.</p>
<h3>Swansea Team News</h3>
<p>Swansea have a selection dilemma in central midfield after Jay Fulton and Tom Carroll impressed in their 1-0 win at Southampton and Ki Sung-Yueng returned to Swansea after being on Asian Cup duty with South Korea, Leon Britton recovered after a month out with injury and illness and Jack Cork signed from Southampton late in the transfer window.</p>
<p>They have less options in attacking areas however after Gylfi Sigurdsson was sent off against Blackburn, Marvin Emnes and Wayne Routledge are rated very doubtful and Jefferson Montero has only just returned to training after hamstring problems and is unlikely to be risked.</p>
<h3>Predicted Line-ups</h3>
<p><a title="Click to view tactic" href="http://sharemytactics.com/36282/"><img alt="Sunderland vs Swansea - Football tactics and formations" src="http://sharemytactics.com/36282/Sunderland-Swansea-formation-tactics.png"></a></p>
<p><b>Sunderland (4-1-2-3): </b>Costel Pantilimon; Anthony Reveillere, Santiago Vergini, John O'Shea, Patrick van Aanholt; Liam Bridcutt; Seb Larsson, Jordi Gomez; Ricky Alvarez, Jermain Defoe, Steven Fletcher.</p>
<p><b>Swansea (4-2-3-1): </b>Lukas Fabianski; Kyle Naughton, Federico Fernandez, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor; Tom Carroll, Leon Britton; Nathan Dyer, Jonjo Shelvey, Modou Barrow; Bafetimbi Gomis.</p>
<h3>Key Match-up: Liam Bridcutt vs Jonjo Shelvey</h3>
<p>The bulk of Swansea's attacking play is likely to come through Jonjo Shelvey, who can be very hit and miss, so it will be vital that Liam Bridcutt is at his best and makes sure that Shelvey has a 'miss' day. If Bridcutt can keep Shelvey quiet, it will go a long way to making sure we come away from the Liberty Stadium with a result.</p>
<h3>Recent Form: DWDLLW</h3>
<p>Draw: QPR 1-1 Swansea (Fer 20'; Bony 90+2' (Routledge - sent off))</p>
<p>Win: Tranmere 2-6 Swansea (Power 70', Stockton 82'; Dyer 34', T.Carroll 49', Barrow 58', Gomis 77', 90+4', Routledge 85')</p>
<p>Draw: Swansea 1-1 West Ham (OG 74'; A.Carroll 43')</p>
<p>Loss: Swansea 0-5 Chelsea (Oscar 1', 36', Costa 20', 34', Schurrle 79')</p>
<p>Loss: Blackburn 3-1 Swansea (C.Taylor 23', Gestede 78', Conway 89'; Sigurdsson 21'(Bartley & Sigurdsson - sent off))</p>
<p>Win: Southampton 0-1 Swansea ((Bertrand - sent off); Shelvey 83')</p>
<h3>Last Time Around: Swansea 4-0 Sunderland (19/10/2014)</h3>
<p>Gus Poyet's reign as Sunderland's head coach got off to a disastrous start despite going in at the break at 0-0 after being the better of the two sides during the first half, as two own goals (from Phil Bardsley and Steven Fletcher), a penalty (after Craig Gardner clumsily fouled Leon Britton) and a Jonathan De Guzman goal meant the visitors completely capitulated in the second half.</p>
<h3>Referee: Phil Dowd</h3>
<p>Dowd has refereed Sunderland twice this season, during the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace and the 1-1 home draw with West Ham United. Following both games the opposition manager has slammed the referee for decisions going for Sunderland.</p>
<p>Sam Allardyce compained that Johnson dived to win a penalty and Neil Warnock slammed Dowd's decisions not to give Palace penalties after alleged fouls on Fraizer Campbell and Wilfried Zaha. Hopefully we hear similar complaints from Garry Monk after today's game.</p>
<h3>What The Managers Said:</h3>
<p><b>Gus Poyet</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b></b>We have changed a lot [since the last time Sunderland visited Swansea] - and I am not talking about specifically playing way. We have changed a lot of personnel - it is a completely different playing group. I think 13 or 14 players have left and nine new ones, so it's been a big change.</p>
<p>We are still in the process of trying to play in a certain way a bit better than we are doing - probably Tuesday was one of the best days in those terms, passing the ball and controlling the game. We need to maintain that, and winning helps.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b></b></p>
<p>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b>Garry Monk</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>He's [Jermain Defoe] a fantastic player, a goal-scorer always playing on the shoulder.</p>
<p>He spoke about how much he missed the Premier League so he'll want to make an impact and he's a player we will have to be aware of. He's a very good signing.</p>
<p>You have to get in good positions, defend the one versus one, defend as a unit, and have the ball for longer periods. But they have good players all over the pitch we have to be wary of but we have to worry about ourselves.</p>
</blockquote>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b> </b></p>
<h3 style="font-weight: bold;"><b>Roker Report Predicts</b></h3>
<b style="font-weight: bold;"> </b>
<p>It's likely to be a tight affair a the Liberty Stadium and with both sides going into the game on the back of good results, we think a 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2015/2/7/7991433/swansea-vs-sunderland-preview-black-cats-look-to-make-it-three-in-aAndy Tomlinson