Ahead of the Boro’s visit to the SoL we spoke to Robert Nichols from Fly Me To The Moon to talk about the upcoming game, which sees Boro come here in good form ready for a ‘derby’
Last time we faced each other, Boro were 20th, now after bringing in Carrick you sit in the top 6. What’s he changed to turn things around?
Carrick has brought a calm assurance and quietly reassessed the formation and set up. He quickly got us playing to individual strengths and for the benefit of the team. This is best personified by top scorer Chuba Akpom, who has slotted into an attacking playmaker 'number 10' role from which he has scored 14 goals as well as dictating much of the forward play. Winning matches breeds confidence and belief. Not even defeats at Burnley or in the cup v Brighton have punctured our momentum.
How would you rate Chris Wilder’s tenure on Teesside?
It’s devastating the way the Chris Wilder era unravelled. It promised so much, we went into the season as one of the favourites to build on last season's progress and clinch promotion. Yet seeds of doubt were sewn last Easter when Wilder initially failed to scotch rumours linking him to the emptied Burnley job. We started to tail off from then. After only a season things turned grim, promise turned to disaster and 21st place in the league. All those league and cup highs were quickly engulfed by dark times. No one seemed happy anymore on the pitch or in the stands. So, I suppose we can reflect on some good memories but none have few regrets it came to an end in only 12 months.
Last time out we lost Ross Stewart in the warm ups, barring any freak accidents he should play on Sunday. Do Boro have a strong enough defence to keep not only him quiet but the likes of Amad and Clarke too?
We have lost one of key defensive linchpins to injury in Darrah Lenihan but Dael Fry is a colossus this season. A word once used to describe Tony Mowbray as a centre back and there is a great deal of the Mowbray about Fry.
Lenihan's replacement is your former player and the vastly experienced Paddy McNair. He won't let us down. Rugged right back Tommy Smith will tuck in and defend and evergreen Jonny Howson will be shielding the back four in a workaholic twosome alongside young Hayden Hackney. We will be disciplined and hard to break down.
You had been heavily linked with Ross Stewart but that has died down recently, and you’ve taken in Cameron Archer on loan from Villa. What was the general Boro fan’s opinion on potentially bringing in Ross Stewart?
Ross Stewart has been outstanding and such a goal threat. There was a lot of noise and excitement around him and Boro but many of us found it hard to believe Sunderland would be coaxed into selling to a local as well as possible promotion rival.
Are there any more incomings that are needed if Boro are to claim a top six spot by the end of the season?
We will need to strengthen the squad depth, particularly midfield and probably another forward addition. Our January signings last year helped knock us off course rather than kicking us on so we need to be sure that any signings are players that could quickly integrate and hit the ground running. It is always tricky buying and loaning from the January sales.
Who has been the biggest threat for Boro this season?
Chuba Akpom cannot stop scoring and it has been him teaming up with flying wing back Ryan Giles that has done so much of the damage. The formation allows Giles to step forward and his crosses invariably hit the mark. Chuba has been lapping them up.
Despite the impressive run of form, where are Carrick's men weakest?
I cannot give away our weaknesses! Study the videos of Burnley and Brighton to see how we were attacked and unpicked in those games. Mind you Burnley still look a Premier side and ask Liverpool what it is like to play against an in-form Brighton with a World Cup winner pulling the strings.
What’s your score prediction?
I am hoping we can follow Swansea and inflict a home reverse on you. I think it will be very tight like at the Riverside, hopefully no injuries in the warm ups. Am going for a narrow 2-1 to Boro.
No better point than halfway to make an educated guess, so where do you think both clubs will finish?
I am loathe to make predictions for the end of season because this time last season I was convinced we were headed for play-offs and once there would be very hard to beat. Yet we were left really disappointed in the end. There are so many teams involved with very little to choose between them. But if we can get results against you and then Watford then surely we will make the play-offs.
A top eight finish for Sunderland would surely be a major achievement and a really good springboard for next campaign. Can you sneak the play-offs? Ross Stewart's goals could be the key for you. Good to be playing a Wear-Tees game with both clubs looking up and not fearful of falling back.
