With Blackburn in town, we caught up with the excellently named @roversfanzine 4000 Holes to find out the lowdown on how BRFC are doing…
So 19th in the Championship, what’s been the story of your season so far?
After finishing 7th last year, good progress with Jon Dahl Tomasson continued with the club still being in contention for the play-offs in December. However, a shocking run of 1 win in 17 matches since then has left us in a relegation battle and with little hope of escaping due to a very tough run-in. Poor strength in depth due to repeated transfer window failures has left us relying on a lot of youngsters.
Why was JDT sacked? And how has new boss John Eustace done?
Due to a fractious relationship with the Rovers hierarchy. He was promised certain things as part of a “project” but then “the project changed” due to a restriction of funds from the owners in India and two transfer window failures with embarrassing administrative errors processing signings. Eustace hasn’t been able to turn the mood or form around – no wins in the last 10 matches since he arrived!
Sammie Szmodics is the league’s top scorer with 21. What kind of player is he?
It’s been an incredible season given that he’s not an out-and-out striker. He’s technically brilliant, works very hard for the team, has a nice turn of pace and is such a cool finisher, always in the right place at the right time to pick up passes and crosses.
Other than Szmodics, who is your best player?
No one else has really stood out consistently this season, maybe apart from local boy and England U21 international Adam Wharton, who was sold to Crystal Palace for £22m in January to raise some much-needed funds.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most considering Jack Clarke is still injured?
It seems as though Jobe Bellingham has ignored the expectation associated with his name and really developed into an excellent prospect given that he’s still so young.
What’s your score prediction and scorers?
Rovers have improved defensively since Eustace arrived, but the goals have dried up. We’re in shocking form and the home advantage will tip the balance to Sunderland. Expect a second-half winner from Bellingham for a 1-0 final score.
Finally, what position do you reckon we’ll both finish this season?
With nothing to play for and no new manager to impress, Sunderland will limp to 12th place. Rovers might scrape enough draws and one win to survive but it’ll be close, 21st looks a good bet.
