Sunderland

We asked for your views on where Sunderland would finish at the end of the season and if the Black Cats had enough to make it to the Championship play-offs.

Here are some of your comments:

Ashley: I think about 8th maybe. We're a little bit too inconsistent in games. One half can be unplayable the second half we can come out a total different team and look poor or vice versa.

Joe: At best we get bottom play-off spot like last year but even that’s a stretch with how inconsistent we have been.

Paul: 9th - not good enough to finish in the top six. The new manager hasn't made any impression yet and the season is well down the road. Why they sacked Mowbray is a mystery to all but the Chairman and Board - people who don't understand the game making big and bad decisions.

Geoff: No striker. No cutting edge. I think we’ll finish about 10th in the table, but as always, I hope I’m wrong.

Derek: I’ll be happy finishing where we are. Whilst promotion is the ultimate goal we’re nowhere near to being a team that could survive in the Premier League. So let’s build a squad that when the time comes can more than hold its own in the Premier league.

Sunderland host Plymouth Argyle in the Championship this Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Black Cats could return to the play-off places if other results also go their way. Michael Beale's side are unbeaten in their last two outings and will be hoping to keep their strikers scoring with Burstow and Rusyn finally netting recently.

The visitors are enjoying a bit of lower-mid-table obscurity - eight points above relegation and nine points from the top six.

In recent history, Sunderland have tended to struggle against teams in the bottom half of the table, but did beat Stoke in the last showing at the Stadium of Light.

What is your score prediction? Have your say here and add any other pre-match thoughts too.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Beale has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes ahead of Sunderland's Championship clash with Plymouth Argyle.

• Seelt missing out v Boro, Hjelde offering balance and Hume better on right

• Caden Kelly is now training with the first team

• Rusyn being more than just a number nine

• New signings and returns from injury allow for 'plan B' from bench

• Embleton and Evans return updates

You can listen to the full interview here.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Beale has spoken about the midfield battle during Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

In a post-match interview with BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes, the Black Cats head coach said, "It was an intriguing battle in midfield today. They were playing man-for-man. I wanted Pierre [Ekwah] to come down because I thought then Abdoullah [Ba] could come inside.

"Trai [Hume] was giving us really good width. Fantastic crosses first half, Trai. We've got to gamble a bit more to get in the box and help Mason [Burstow] because I thought some of his crossing first half was excellent.

"So, no, it was just a tactical thing. It was a reminder that if someone's man-marking you, take him out of a space so maybe Abdoullah can come in but our three young midfielders have got to realise that today their three midfielders went after us and that's when you learn really what you've got.

"Are you willing to go where your lungs burn? Are you really willing to win the challenges that make a difference in the game?

"Overall, it was a tie I think in midfield and it was a tie in the outcome of the result."

Listen to the full interview here.

Sunderland currently sit 8th in the Championship league table, a point off the play-off places but it's a tight race with effectively nine teams in the running for fifth and sixth.

Leicester look to already have won the league with Southampton, Leeds and Ipswich battling it out for second - and automatic promotion - with the other two almost certainly bagging third and fourth.

West Brom and Hull each have a game in hand and currently occupy the final play-off spots while Coventry and Norwich join Sunderland with just one point off The Tigers.

Preston, Watford, Middlesbrough and Cardiff are all close behind too.

Now the transfer window is closed and most of the teams out of cup competitions, all focus is on trying to get back into the Premier League.

Sunderland's strikers are finally scoring, Jack Clarke is on fire but results have been consistently inconsistent all season. Do the Black Cats have what it takes to secure a play-off spot?

Have your say here.

We asked for your views after Jack Clarke's reaffirmed his happiness to stay at Sunderland following transfer speculation in January.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Well said Jack lad, "Money isn't the be all and end all."

Charlie: I’m pleased with that, Jack has years left in him to be a Premier League player and hopefully he will do it with Sunderland in the near future.

S: A remarkable young man and an even more remarkable player. What an asset to the club. I don’t think we are good enough to go up and we will probably lose him before we do and we can’t blame him when we cash in.

Jed: Jack Clarke is fast becoming a Sunderland legend and is vital to our hope for a play-off place. He goes past people for fun. If we have Patrick Roberts fully fit we can beat anyone. Fingers crossed.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Beale has shared his thoughts on Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

The Black Cats head coach told BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes, "I thought first half we were really good in terms of our attacking play.

"Again, we've missed a big opportunity in an away game and you're wondering if that's going to hurt you.

"In the first half, we got into some really interesting areas without executing. I was pleased with the first half performance. I thought both teams went for each other. It was a good Championship game.

"We started the second half not well. We've just spoke about that in there. Can't start a second half like that. Again, a second phase of a set-play. It is a bit of a fortunate ricochet but you can't keep conceding off a set-play, it's fair to say.

"Our reaction to that was really good. We score and then I felt in the last ten minutes maybe we should go on to get the winner. Just frustrated that them balls are flashing across the goal and we're not there to get the last touch but I think it's a big point. We don't know how big until later in the season but after last week's win and then a strong point here today.

"Certainly when it looked like the game was going away from us, our response after we scored I thought was excellent."

Listen to the full interview here.

Image source, Getty Images

Leo Hjelde has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes after making his debut for the Black Cats.

The Norwegian said, "It wasn't something I was expecting but it was something I was hoping for, so yeah, very pleased with the news and yeah, it was great."

On the draw with Middlesbrough, Hjelde reflected, "I felt like first half we should have put away a couple of chances to be honest.

"We started the second half a bit scrappy. So, we just had to dig in and obviously after the goal it's a bit tough.

"They had the momentum but it felt like we brought it back and at the end we probably could have got something more but pleased with one point on the road."

Through the interview we also found his favoured position, wanting to get forward and working hard to stay in the team:

"My preferred position is centre-back but listen, like, I'll play anywhere. If the gaffer wants me to play striker, I'll play striker.

"For me, it's just getting game time, being involved in the squads and in the team so for me I was very pleased."

"We know Clarkey likes to go 1v1 so, they said like sit back a bit and control the game but obviously when the opportunity comes I like to get forward and be involved in the play."

"I'll work as hard as I can and try and stay in the team, hopefully. We've got a great team here as well so it'll be tough competition for the places but I'm ready for what my job is and hopefully we can get the work done."

Hjelde has also spoken about quickly settling in at Sunderland:

"The coaching staff and the players have been really, really great with me. I've settled in quite quickly. Obviously it's a young dressing room so it's quite easy for me."

"I love him [Luke O'Nien]. Very vocal, helps me out when I need a couple words. I sit with him in the dressing room. It's been great so far. Hopefully I don't get on his bad side for sure."

What did you think of Hjelde's debut for Sunderland? Have your say here.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Beale says Dan Ballard is "fine" after an injury scare at the end of Sunderland's draw with Middlesbrough.

The defender looked to have hurt his shoulder in the closing minutes of the Championship clash but the Black Cats' head coach has confirmed there was no injury.

"Nah he's fine. He's fine.

"I think the big lad [Josh Coburn] came on and just started fouling people.

"Another really good performance from Dan Ballard today. I thought he was excellent throughout.

"No, he'll be alright. He's not a southern softy, Dan. He's a strong one."

Listen to Michael Beale's full post-match interview here.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Clarke has reaffirmed his happiness at Sunderland after transfer speculation throughout January - including multiple bids from Lazio.

After the Black Cats' draw with Middlesbrough, in a post-match interview with Sky, Clarke said, "I am happy to be here.

"I enjoy every minute of playing for Sunderland and pulling on the shirt. For me, the stuff that gets said on the outside doesn't seem to bother me.

"As long as I'm coming in everyday wearing a Sunderland shirt, I'm happy."

How do you feel about Clarke's comments? Have your say here.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Newcastle commentary duo Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett praised Sunderland's comeback against Middlesbrough as "a good point on the road."

The pair noted substitutions, especially Boro's, changed the game in the Black Cats' favour.

Former Sunderland captain Benno said, "We talked about Barlaser. He was pulling the strings wasn't he? They took him off.

"We were glad to see the back of him and you've got to say, all of a sudden Middlesbrough maybe lost their way which allowed Sunderland to get back into the game."

After a strong first half from Michael Beale's side that saw Abdoullah Ba's effort on goal cleared off the line, the Black Cats struggled in the second half.

In the post-match assessment Benno accused Pierre Ekwah and Jobe Bellingham of a lack of effort, he said, "at times they're just strolling through the game."

It was Sunderland substitute Nazariy Rusyn who netted the equaliser.

Barnesy said, "I didn't see that coming from Rusyn. I thought he was going to take the ball on and take it in and have a shot."

Benno replied, "I think that shows a little bit of confidence he's got, to take a shot like that. Excellent."

The pair agreed Boro keeper Tom Glover should have done better before saying the away point is a good platform to go into the upcoming clash with Plymouth.

Sunderland came back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Super sub Nazariy Rusyn's second senior Sunderland goal equalised for the Black Cats after Marcus Forss netted for Boro.

January signing Leo Hjelde made his debut for Michael Beale's side and Patrick Roberts came on as a substitute after returning from injury.

The point takes Sunderland to 8th in the Championship just one point off the play-off places.

What did you think of Sunderland's performance and the result? Have your say here.

We asked for your views on whether Middlesbrough v Sunderland is a derby.

Here are some of your comments:

Bob: As a Sunderland supporter, playing Middlesbrough has a little more interest, but never a derby.

Richard: A little bit. Middlesbrough are the 'third' North East side.

Alex: It's a tough subject. Both fans bring masses to the games,but there is never really anything in the games. No tifos or explosiveness. They are still local and tensions are high between them. Overall it is more than just another fixture but it isn't the biggest derby you'll ever see.

Rob: Of course it’s a derby. Sunderland’s nearest team is Newcastle, who are in a different league. Middlesbrough’s nearest rival is Sunderland.

John: Boro are historically a Yorkshire town. Their derby should be with Leeds or Sheffield. Sunderland v the mags is THE derby as we have been fighting since 1650 with the round heads and cavaliers. How do Boro compare just because they are 25 miles down the road just shows how ignorant they really are.

Sunderland travel to Middlesbrough this Sunday with revenge in mind after a 4-0 loss in the reverse fixture.

As ever there'll be arguments as to whether the Wear-Tees is a derby or not.

In the eight year absence of a Wear-Tyne derby, the rivalry with Boro has heightened as the Black Cats have faced the Smoggys more regularly and are now rivals in the race for play-offs too.

However, all that surrounded the FA Cup third round clash with the Mags, any fixtures with Boro have paled in comparison. So, we all know it's not the derby for Sunderland, but is it a derby at all?

Do you feel any extra passion for the lads to beat Michael Carrick's side, or are they just like any other club in the Championship?

Have your say here.

Kristjaan Speakman has reflected on Alex Pritchard's Sunderland exit after the midfielder joined Birmingham City on transfer deadline day.

Image source, Getty Images

Jay Matete has made his Oxford United debut.

The midfielder was substituted on in the 89th minute during the U's League One clash with rivals Reading.

It's Matete's first competitive appearance this season after the 22-year-old suffered an injury during the Black Cats' pre-season campaign.

Matete joined the Oxford on loan from Sunderland on transfer deadline day.