Hello and welcome to the Sunderland AFC live blog for Tuesday, August 6.
The Black Cats kicked off the new campaign on Saturday much like they had most of last - with a draw.
Jack Ross' side to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Oxford United at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of a Lynden Gooch penalty.
The game showed many of the side's flaws and with the transfer window still open, there is still opportunities to strengthen the squad. Ross is keen to find left-back cover for Denver Hume following the summer departures of Bryan Oviedo and Reece James.
Stick with us for live updates of the latest Sunderland AFC news and transfer gossip will be here throughout the day.
Latest Sunderland AFC news
Sunderland AFC will be looking to put last season's disappointment behind them and earn promotion back to the Championship in 2019-20, and we'll be following every kick right here on Chronicle Live.
Here are the latest news stories on the Black Cats:
- Nick Allamby: Challenges I face at Sunderland will be nothing compared to those at Bolton
- Goalkeeper coach Lee Butler backs Jon McLaughlin to bounce back from Gillingham error
- Stewart Donald: Richard Hill saved Sunderland Football Club - buy him a beer!
- Stewart Donald promises to back Phil Parkinson to strengthen his Sunderland squad in January
- Stewart Donald transcript part two: The Sunderland owner on transfers, performances and more
Key Events
Signing off
To close, here’s another chance to listen to our Oxford fan reaction podcast, plus the latest SAFC news...
Away ticket update
Sunderland AFC’s trip to Ipswich Town on Saturday will be an all-ticket fixture. Supporters are advised that there will be no sales on the day of the game, and fans wishing to attend the game must secure their seat in advance.
Tickets for the Portman Road match-up are now on general sale, priced from £27 for adults, £20 for over-65s, £14 for under-23s and £7 for under-19s.
Meanwhile, Sunderland AFC supporters are advised that Rochdale do not offer a reprint facility at Spotland. Fans heading to Greater Manchester on Tuesday 20 August (KO 7.45pm) are therefore reminded to ensure they collect any tickets from the Stadium of Light ticket office before travelling. This includes damaged tickets, and any orders are posted at supporters’ own risk.
Tickets are currently on sale to season card holders, with a general sale set to commence from 9am on Wednesday 7 August.
Netflix documentary nominated for award
Season one of Fullwell 73’s ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’ has been nominated for Best Docu-Series at the upcoming National Reality TV Awards.
The highly-popular and critically acclaimed fly-on-the-wall documentary series was met with widespread praise in both the footballing and television worlds, as viewers were gripped from the north east to North America.
From the terraces to the training ground, the eight-episode rollercoaster showcased exactly what sets SAFC apart from the rest, as the red and white army’s unwavering passion took centre stage.
Now streaming on Netflix UK, ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’ will go head to head with the likes of Our Planet and Gogglebox, and online voting is now open.
Klopp hails Mignolet as the keeper departs for Club Brugge
The ex-Sunderland keeper left Liverpool to join Club Brugge and Jurgen Klopp said:
“If you were to ask me to write a list of the most standout professionals I’ve worked with in the game – in a career of well over 30 years – Simon Mignolet would be competing for the number one spot.
“The respect he commands in our dressing room is unrivalled. An outstanding athlete, an outstanding person, and an international-class keeper. The truth is I don’t want Simon to leave – why would I? He’s a keeper good enough to start for all the teams in the Premier League. But this is a little like the situation we faced with Lucas Leiva a few seasons ago now. Sometimes you have someone whose contribution to the club means you have to consider their welfare also. Simon is such a person.
“Brugge are so lucky to have him. The shape he is in – the quality he has – he could play 10 years for this team if both want that.”
Sam Surridge on the verge of Swansea loan move
Sam Surridge came close to joining Sunderland on loan in January, only for Eddie Howe to convince him to stay and fight for his place at Bournemouth.
Six months on though and it appears the young striker will be leaving the Vitality Stadium, but he is headed for the Championship.
Wales Online claim Swansea are close to sealing a loan move for the striker.
Gooch: We move on and look for a win at Ipswich
The goalscorer told the club website:
It was a tough game and obviously going behind put us on the back foot straight away.
“We showed great character and all the action was at their end of the pitch in the second half. We came back and got a point.
“We pushed and tried our best. It’s still only the first game of the season, there’s a lot to improve on. It’s a point and we move on.
“Hopefully we can go into next week and get three points down at Ipswich.
“They are a massive club and they will be looking to bounce straight back to the Championship, it will be a really difficult game.”
Lyle Taylor to Brentford?
Trouble for Charlton? According to Sky Sports, Brentford are in talks to sign their star man Lyle Taylor.
Taylor got off to a great start in the Championship on Saturday, netting in their 2-1 win at Blackburn.
Sunderland scouting at Dundee United
As summer target Lawrence Shankland netted four for Dundee United on Saturday, reports say that Sunderland had a scout at the game.
The Dundee Evening Telegraph report: “A string of scouts from the likes of Southampton and Sunderland were in the Tannadice stand on Saturday and there was one weekend report suggesting Crystal Palace are set to launch a £400,000 bid for teenager Scott Banks.”
Boss Robbie Neilson said: “I would be surprised if there wasn’t an interest in quite a few of our boys, they’ve done very well. Even some of the ones in their mid-20s have done well.
“That’s what you want at your club, bigger teams to be interested and then we have a decision what we do with them.”
Ipswich expecting 20,000+ for Saturday
An article on their club website says they’re heading for 20,000 gate for Sunderland’s visit. Manager Paul Lambert said:
“It will be a cracking atmosphere on Saturday and the support we had at Burton and the noise the fans made was fantastic. They were worth the entrance money alone.”
Ex-Sunderland midfielder recommended Newcastle to Saint-Maximin
Newcastle’s new signing has revealed that Yann M’Vila told him Newcastle would be a good club to play for. Saint-Maximin said:
“There were a lot of players, like M’Vila, though he wasn’t at Newcastle, he was in Sunderland. He spoke to me. Hatem [Ben Arfa] spoke to me.
“I talked with a lot of players. They said to me it’s a great club, a great city and the supporters are great. Everything is great. This is why I came. I said ‘I know I want to be there’.”
Gossip: Aston Villa midfielder linked
According to reports in his native Congo, Aaron Tshibola is a target for Sunderland.
The 6ft 3in midfielder is said to be free to leave Aston Villa this summer and FootRDC claim Sunderland are interested.
Tshibola spent last season on loan at Kilmarnock and made 27 appearances, scoring one goal and credited with no assists. And with Killy seemingly not looking to buy him permanently, Villa have told his agent to find a new club, with the report Sunderland are interested, but not willing to spend anymore than €3m on him.
A strong defence-minded midfielder, Tshibola would likely add quality, strength and height to Jack Ross’ squad, although it’s no secret just how congested their midfield is.
Manager Jack Ross has been looking to cut numbers this summer and is now prioritising a left wing-back following Bryan Oviedo’s departure, so this one comes as a slight surprise.
