Hello and welcome to the Sunderland AFC live blog on Thursday, August 15.
The transfer window for Premier League and Championship clubs is closed, but Jack Ross still has plenty of time to fine tune his squad ahead of the League One window closing on September 2.
The Scot has his eye on another left-back and now the Premier League and Championship windows are closed, targets' futures should look a little clearer.
“We are still trying to get the right one in,” said Ross, following Sunderland’s 3-1 Carabao Cup first round win at Accrington Stanley.
“We suffered a little bit on transfer deadline day last week because there were four that we believed we had a chance of and they all moved to Championship clubs."
Accrington 1-3 Sunderland
Key Events
Signing off
That’s all from us for today - here are just some of our SAFC stories.
- Jack Ross full transcript - Sunderland boss on selection dilemmas, system criticism and Will Grigg
- Sunderland vs Portsmouth team selector: Jack Ross’ dilemma for Pompey visit
- Stewart Donald confirms Sunderland’s long running Ricky Alvarez dispute is not quite over
- Ex-Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole training with Dutch Eredivisie side ahead of potential move
- Decisions, decisions - how Sunderland’s win at Accrington Stanley could influence Portsmouth XI
- New striker Marc McNulty on trying to stay level whilst aboard the great Sunderland rollercoaster
- Marc McNulty sees the importance of first goals as he and Sunderland get up and running for season
Jack Ross confirms three players are out with injury
Duncan Watmore, Ethan Robson and Glenn Loovens are still out. Denver Hume and Dylan McGeouch joined back in training today so we will see how they react but they should be OK.
Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett on facing Sunderland
He told the Portsmouth News:
“I don’t really worry about things like that, you’ve got to play them sometime and whether you’re ready or they are, it’s got to be faced and that’s it.
“It’s one of the games you look forward to, certainly it is a big challenge and a hard game but it’s a great stadium and a big club and TV game as well, so a great stage for us, we’re looking for it.
“I’m sure they will be there or thereabouts and have ambitions to do well.
“I am looking forward to the game. Both sides have changed slightly since last year, fresh season as well.
“Any time you go up and play Sunderland it’s something to look forward to but similarly a big challenge to try to get a result.”
Ross on Will Grigg's lack of goals
I can’t shy away from the fact and Will knows, I haven’t got it from him and he hasn’t delivered the amount of goals he would have like to have got and he will tell you that.
But we look to how we rectify it. What I and my staff can do and what Will can do to get the goal return we want from him.
As a striker that is what you are judged on and as a club we are confident we can still get that from him.
Being a forward is the hardest part of the game. You are judged on goals - fairly or unfairly.”
Ross on McNulty and Wyke getting on the scoresheet
You want your attackers to get off to a good start each season as soon as possible so Tuesday was good in that respect for us.
Ross on criticism of his formation
I don’t find it frustrating. It is part of the modern game. You have to be careful not to look precious but if you think you are skilled in your profession you have every right to feel you have a decent understanding of it.
How I do my job every day is what bothers me. I know how hard I work at it. I will continue to do that. I take pride in the culture we have now. We went to Wembley twice last year, we have lost once at the Stadium of Light. I think that’s all right but I want to make it better.
Ross on the selection dilemma facing him on Saturday
The fact that the team played well, those that came off the bench contributed, gives you a selection problem as a manager and makes your decision more difficult.
Ross on McGeady and Wyke
Aiden is a lot closer to full fitness, Charlie is only just coming back from injury and even having him on the pitch was a bonus.
Is Portsmouth must win?
Every game is a must win because of the expectancy on our shoulders. We want to win the game on Saturday because we know the importance of winning matches every week. Every match has equal importance. It always has the same significance. Pressure is omnipresent here. You have to have broad shoulders and thick skin to deal with. Players who want to be a success and have longevity here need that as well.
Ross on the Accrington match
The gaffer is here.
The game was a difficult one for us, but on reflection the performance was good and the result was what we deserved.
Portsmouth star relishing Sunderland challenge
Ronan Curtis told Portsmouth News:
“Of course it’s the sort of stage I love.
“It’s nothing unusual for me to get a bit of stick. I’m used to that and can rise above that
“We know we’re in for a battle there.
“There’s a lot of fans a big pitch and a good atmosphere.
“We’ve had some joy against them before so hopefully this time we can beat them.”
Burnley date confirmed
Sunderland will travel to Burnley on Wednesday August 28 for their Carabao Cup second round clash.
Ticket details can be found below...
Report: Sunderland could enter the race for Colchester full-back
Sky Sports claim Ipswich have had a big accepted for Colchester defender Kane Vincent-Young but report Sunderland could try and hijack the move.
They report:
Ipswich have had a bid for Colchester defender Kane Vincent-Young accepted, according to Sky sources.
The highly-rated 23-year-old full-back has been linked with a move to Luton, but Ipswich appear in pole position to sign him after agreeing a deal with League Two Colchester.
Sky Sports News understand Sunderland continue to monitor Vincent-Young’s situation, though, and may enter the race for his signature.
Lee Cattermole's combative Sunderland career in pictures
Looks like he could be starting a new chapter in the Netherlands.
Lee Cattermole training with VVV Venlo
The former Sunderland midfielder is a free agent and is training with the Dutch Eredivisie side.
Marc McNulty on scoring his first goal for Sunderland
“I’d be lying if I said no,” McNulty replied when asked if it would make a difference to his confidence.
“You always want to get your goal early. It’s great to get off the mark and now it’s just a case of focusing on Saturday and trying to get a little run going.
“I’ve not really had that many sniffs of goal (in his three games so far). It’s been a frustrating couple of games.
“But it’s sometimes the way football goes. You just stay positive and be ready for an opportunity like that. It was a well-worked goal and it was good to get off the mark.”
How Sunderland's win at Accrington could influence starting XI at Portsmouth
A look at how Tuesday’s win might influence formation as well as selection issues at left-back, centre-back, midfield and up front.
Ricky Alvarez saga not over
Alvarez has a hearing with the Court of Arbitration of Sport on August 27 where he will argue he is entitled to more money from Sunderland than the settlement that was originally awarded.
It is likely this is for loss of earnings during the first half of the 2015/16 campaign when he was unable to play as a result of the dispute with Sunderland and Inter Milan over his transfer.
Sunderland owner Stewart Donald confirmed the news on Twitter but insists this is the final legal case against the club.
Stewart Donald: I need to deliver
When replying to a fan’s tweet, Stewart Donald has recognised the importance of the club delivering promotion this season.
“Nothing three wins on the bounce followed by promotion & some good investment news wouldn’t cure.
“To be fair - you cant ask the fans to back the club & then moan when they become frustrated. They want us to do better & so they should. I need to deliver that is only fair.”
Marc McNulty tries to stay level-headed aboard the Sunderland rollercoaster
“You can’t get too high with the highs and too low with the lows,” he reasoned after the Black Cats’ first win this season, 3-1 at Accrington Stanley in the League Cup. More than 40 per cent of the Tuesday-night crowd were Sunderland supporters and McNulty continued his impressive start to the campaign by scoring one, making one, and nearly snapping the crossbar with another shot.
“You need to sort of stay on a level pegging throughout the season,” the former Sheffield United, Bradford City, Portsmouth and Hibernian striker argued. “There’s times when the fans are going to be on your back and they’re going to think you’re the worst thing in the world but you can’t let that affect you. You have to remain focused.
“I’ve been at clubs like this before. The expectation is very high and rightly so, and I knew I’d be coming into that. The fans gave us unbelievable support again, they turn up every week so they’re going to vent their frustrations.
“We as players have got to be big enough to take that on the chin. It’s a big badge to wear and you sign for a club like this to carry expectations.”
