Sunderland face a Birmingham City side still without a win under their new boss tomorrow and with both clubs having picked up just four points from the last possible 15, three points is arguably a must for everyone involved.
LAST TIME OUT
A 2-2 draw to a team comfortably second isn't the worst result in the world but Blues fans probably came out of St Andrews with a huge sense of frustration with their side being 2-0 up, courtesy of a goal by Jay Stansfield and a Cameron Burgess own goal, with just 11 minutes left on the clock. Alas, a brace within 10 minutes by Marcus Harness saw Ipswich Town come away with a point and Birmingham missed out on their first win under Wayne Rooney. This will either reinvigorate our opponents for Saturday, with the knowledge they are capable of pushing some of the best in the division right to the end or it will see them crumble to five games without a win if the loss of a two goal lead causes Rooney's men to lose any motivation to have a go. Unfortunately for us I believe it will be the former and I think we'll see a strong showing by the Blues, perhaps reminiscent of the performances that saw them win three of their opening four Championship matches. The pressure is on for Rooney though and he needs a win to try and justify a puzzling decision to sack his predecessor John Eustace to bring the England legend in.