Sunderland Preview

[Nelsta]

Oooo well..Sunderland yet to win an away match.

How many times have Rovers been the ones to change that?

2-1 Sunderland.

[greggyk]

Samba replaces Zurab in only change,

Again no Roberts or Savage in 16

[Alex Rover]

Samba replaces Zurab in only change,

I was going to say Zurab should be given a run after his game against Chelsea but then I thought that Samba would be a much better choice to handle Jones.

[LeChuck]

What does Nelsen have to do to get dropped? He's been awful the last few weaks, Samba and Zura deserve a run-out together.

[rovers1993]

we're not gaining a firm hold on the game as of yet.... we need to soon.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

I feel sorry for Zurab. He's had 2 really good games and 1 dodgy game (as he was played out of position) and he gets dropped. What else can he do to prove that he's our main defender who's in form.

I see that Savage and Roberts are out the team again. Pretty much confirms that they are no longer wanted by the club and probably be off sooner rather than later.

[rovers1993]

we're really getting dominated by sunderland!!! come on rovers!!! WAKE UP!

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Hughesy getting a bit frustrated!

Has MGP run off his slight knock he received?

[rovers1993]

does samba not know how to play the ball on the ground? every time he has the ball he is chipping it upwards and losing it every time! come on rovers! we're playing horrible!

[Tim Southampton Rover]

I feel sorry for all the Rovers fans there freezing their bums off! It sounds bloody cold!

[bubblerrovers]

Sounds like another game where we're not bothered, it has two nil with player sent off written all over it. please prove me wrong!

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Have we even had an attack? The commentator hasn't mentioned any shots I don't think...

Sounds like we might improve second half with the wind going against them.

[LeChuck]

does samba not know how to play the ball on the ground? every time he has the ball he is chipping it upwards and losing it every time! come on rovers! we're playing horrible!

I was about to post the same. He looks like an accident waiting to happen this evening. It wasn't that long ago that people were suggesting he should be tried in the centre of midfield because he was so comfortable on the ball...he's now looking more like a £400k reserve team player.

Sounds like another game where we're not bothered, it has two nil with player sent off written all over it. please prove me wrong!

Just because we're playing poorly it doesn't mean they 'can't be bothered'. It's nothing to do with effort, there's plenty of that, we just lack any quality on the ball so far, only Tugay seems capable of putting more than one pass together on the floor.

Sunderland have had us pinned in our own half for most of the game, and they're not even playing well...we just seem incapable of putting together more then two passes inside their half. I'm not even sure how substitutes would help, we have problems in every area of the pitch.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

The RR commentator summed it up perfectly. It's a great away game performance. They are closing us down and not letting us play the ball around and preventing us doing anything worth while.

[No Nay Never]

Im watching the game via the net, and to be honest we don't look interested second best to a enthusiastic Sun'land performance, no real Rovers chances of note.

[greggyk]

Santa taken off?? Injury?

[USRoverME]

What is in Hughes' mind. We can't seem to keep iton teh carpet, so we replace our aerial threat in RSC with Matty D? I don't get that one.

[McClarky]

Hope not.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Penalty to Sunderland

[mrsjansen]

According to bbc sport, he has come off due to injury.

[rovers1993]

hahah freidel!!! saves a penalty!!!! haha 2nd game in a roW! come on lets go out and win this!

[AndyH16]

At least we have consitency when it comes to giving away penalties.........and saving them!!!!!!

[BiggusLaddus]

Saved again!

FFS why can't the rest of them be as good as Brad

[tchocky]

Yes, looks like Santa is injured. So is Kenwyne Jones.

Pessimist: We're crap and Tugay will get sent off for a second bookable offence. Barely hold on for a 0-0 draw.

Optimist: Wind in our back, and we are usually much better second half, when Hughes has observed the opposition for 45 mins and can instruct the players thereafter. Bentley to score and Treacy to come on for Pedersen after 70 mins. 1-0 win.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

I think I want to marry Brad. I love him.