Coming off the back of a massive victory against Sheffield United, Sunderland's second consecutive home game takes place on Sunday against Portsmouth. We spoke to golf/football writer and Pompey fan Sam Stone, who seems fairly optimistic for their season as a whole but not for this match...
Portsmouth have recently escaped the bottom three after a five game unbeaten run at home. With you also having two games in hand, how confident are you of survival this season?
This question will be far easier to answer once we know the outcome of Pompey’s January business. Right now, with a central defensive pairing made up of fifth-choice Ryley Towler, destined for a League One loan, and Marlon Pack (famous for not being a centre-back) survival would be a massive achievement. Jumping off the fence, I believe we would go down if the team’s current guise remains the same. Yet, with a couple of quality additions and players returning from injury, I think we will survive comfortably.
Who’s been your best player so far this season?
Callum Lang is loving life in the Championship and appears better suited to the level than he was in League One. John Mousinho has deployed the former Wigan Athletic man in a central role, and it’s paid off. Lang has nine goals to his name and can, quite literally, make something happen out of nothing. What’s more, his pressing is relentless, mainly when playing at Fratton Park. I actually think he’d be a handy player for a top-end Championship side looking for a difference-maker toward the back end of the season.
What business do you think needs to get done this transfer window to boost your chances of staying up?
Centre back, centre back, centre back! If we don’t add a central defender next month, then we’re as good as down in my eyes. We will squeeze out points at home and continue to ship goals away if reinforcements don’t arrive, which probably won’t be enough. Midfield cover and another winger - to take pressure off Josh Murphy and Matt Ritchie - will also be on the board’s mind.
Why do you think there’s been such a big gap between results at home and on the road?
There are a couple of reasons. Firstly, squad depth. Beyond our starting XI, there’s very little quality which can come off the bench and make an impact. During our League One title win last season, we had the likes of Tino Anjorin, Abu Kamara and Myles Peart-Harris coming into the side, allowing Mous to rotate. After implementing our very effective high-pressing football at home, the players sometimes looked sapped of energy away and unsure whether to press or remain compact.
That leads me to the second reason. Fratton Park - as Sunderland fans know well - can be a miserable place to play football if things go Pompey’s way. The tight pitch and atmosphere have massively helped us this season and it’s the perfect environment for Mous’ high press to work wonders. Coventry, Swansea, Bristol City and Preston were dispatched with ease.
Away from home, the players seem very much in two minds about whether to press with the same enthusiasm. And when things don’t go their way, games have gotten out of hand very quickly.
What are your thoughts on manager John Mousinho?
Pompey fans are in a unique situation where we are entirely behind John Mousinho despite the fact we’ve struggled during the first half of the season. Hull, Oxford, Plymouth, Cardiff and Stoke have all sacked their managers whilst we’ve handed Mous a contract extension. There’s an understanding from the fanbase that he wasn’t given adequate tools in the summer, which makes the fact we are out of the relegation zone at the moment all the more impressive.
Mous’ demeanour, tactical flexibility, leadership, in-game management and ability to say the right thing in the media are just a handful of reasons Pompey fans adore him.
I am convinced he’s destined for the top and believe he’s already one of the best managers in the Championship. With West Brom, Coventry, Preston and Millwall all recently on the lookout for new bosses, I am stunned Mous’ name hasn’t come up. He’s the real deal.
Which Sunderland player are you least looking forward to playing against?
All of them! I am aware he might miss the game through injury, but I need to mention Chris Rigg. His performance at Fratton Park was arguably the best I’ve seen from any player since we were in the Premier League. I think the word is ‘mercurial’.
Looking at who could play on Sunday, Wilson Isidor could have a field day against Pack and Towler at the back. They’re good lads, but this defence is as makeshift as it gets. Any space in behind, and a 24-year-old could be in the goals.
What’s your score prediction for the game and who will get the goals?
4-1 Sunderland. I don’t like predicting losses but I would be foolish to back Pompey here.
There’s no doubt we are a better team than the one Sunderland played back in August, but our away form on large pitches - like the Stadium of Light - is terrible. 4-0, 3-0 and 6-1 are just a few of the scorelines which have occured on the road.
As mentioned, I think Isidor will have a field day and get himself a couple; Mayenda could also thrive if given space. What I will say is that goals haven’t been an issue for us in recent weeks. With that in mind, Josh Murphy could get on the scoresheet. I haven’t seen a faster player in the Championship this season, and he’s really found his feet in a blue shirt now.
