Sunderland make the trip to managerless Cardiff City on Saturday and things are far from well in Wales.
Vincent Tan is causing a bit of a disturbance amongst the Cardiff faithful with his antics that have seen him change the teams colours and now sack a manager who wanted nothing more than a couple of extra players to make sure the side could compete in the top flight.
He’s a strange man alright and we won’t spend any more time talking about him.
Assistant manager David Kerslake and first-team coach Joe McBride will be in charge of things while Cardiff try to talk Ole Gunnar Solskjaer into coming to the club.
Cardiff have managed one win in the last eight games, the last two games were fairly heavy defeats against Liverpool at Anfield (3-1) and then a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Southampton and the men in temporary charge will be looking to get maximum points from the game against Sunderland, defeat for either side would not be a good thing.
One good thing that the Black Cats take into the game is that it comes while the player are still on a high after beating Everton at Goodison on Boxing Day, an unlikely win it may have been, but a welcome one non the less.
Vital Quotes:
Gus Poyet: ‘What I know is that I want to win a couple of games before the end of January – at least two.
‘We drew (the game prior to the Everton match, 0-0 at home against Norwich) and we then we won.
‘Let’s see if we can win again, be happier with the points and then reorganise after the January transfer window.’
Cardiff City Team News:
Cardiff City midfielder Gary Medel could be available for Saturday’s clash.
The player missed the Bluebirds’ 3-0 defeat to Southampton on Boxing Day as he was suffering with flu, but may be passed fit for this one.
Andreas Cornelius and Declan John could start after coming off the bench against the Saints, but Craig Bellamy will take no part due to a knee injury.
Player to watch: Peter Whittingham
Excellent on a dead ball situation and good at getting in the crosses, Whittingham has created 24 chances from set pieces so far this season.
Sunderland Team News:
Sunderland will be without the services of Wes Brown again, he is still suspended.
John O’Shea is nursing a shoulder problem and is rated as doubtful.
Goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and defender Carlos Cuellar both miss out.
Player to watch: Ki
Quality on the ball in the center of the park
Match Facts & Stats
Cardiff have not met Sunderland in the top-flight since 1956/57, when they won one and drew one of two meetings.
Sunderland have won their last two trips to Cardiff in the league without conceding.
Sunderland have won only one of their 12 final games of the year in the Premier League (3-1 v Bolton in 2007).
Sunderland have kept three successive clean sheets in the Premier League – the longest run seen in the PL this season is Southampton’s four in a row (Sept-Oct).
Match Prediction:
2-1 to Sunderland but not pretty stuff.
Next Fixtures:
Wed 1 Jan 2014 Sunderland v Aston Villa
