Image source, Getty ImagesTrai Hume has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes after the Boxing Day win against Hull City.
The defender discussed the Black Cats' performance, bouncing back from defeat against Coventry and looked ahead to the trip to Rotherham.
Sunderland's 1-0 win over Hull City on Boxing Day has put the Black Cats back into the Championship play-off places.
We asked for your views on Sunderland's Boxing Day win at Hull.
Here are some of your comments:
Paul: Excellent team performance. 1st goal was always going to win game. Jack Clarke MOM.
David: Important result but we didn't use any of the strikers on the bench again. Makes no sense.
Steve: Unexpected but we'll take those 3 points all day long. HTL.
Jim: Great result today. Let's take the next game and collect another 3 points!
Hazel: There’s only one thing better than Sunderland winning, and that’s Newcastle losing! Well done, SAFC!!
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Beale has praised his "excellent" Sunderland side after the win against Hull City.
The new head coach has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes about securing his first win with the Black Cats, their reliance on Jack Clarke and how he will look to make tactical changes in January.
Despite the positive result, post-match reaction to Sunderland's 1-0 win at Hull once again centred around the striker situation.
Nazariy Rusyn, Elizier Mayenda and Mason Burstow were all unused substitutes in the Black Cats' Boxing Day win with Bradley Dack picked to start upfront.
When Dack was forced off through injury, Adil Aouchiche replaced him and even with Sunderland still chasing the game on the 74th minute, it was Alex Pritchard who came on for Patrick Roberts.
On BBC Radio Newcastle's post-match phone-in, Colin White and former Black Cats captain Gary Bennett surmised that Michael Beale must agree with Tony Mowbray's assessment of the group of strikers signed in the summer. They're not ready.
And yet, if not for Jack Clarke's 11th goal of the season, Sunderland may not have picked up a win at the MKM Stadium. Gary Bennett says himself, fans and even supporters of other clubs can see Michael Beale's side are "crying out for a striker."
Sunderland sit in sixth in the Championship table still very much in contention for the play-off places but Benno ponders: "Just imagine if we did have a striker where we might end up."
Jack Clarke's 11th goal of the season gave Sunderland a win on their Boxing Day trip to Hull.
Co-founder Joanne Youngson has explained what the SAFC heaven branch is on the Total Sport Sunderland AFC Podcast.
Joanne Youngson from SAFC heaven branch joins the Total Sport Sunderland AFC Podcast
Presumably BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes received some new colouring pens for Christmas.
Barnesy has completed his iconic artistic commentary notebook page for Hull City v Sunderland.
You can listen to commentary from Nick alongside former Black Cats captain Gary Bennett on FM, DAB and Freeview via BBC Radio Newcastle.
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Beale has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes after his first game in charge of the Black Cats ended in defeat.
The new head coach remarks on missing a chance to lead the game and the disappointment in conceding three goals at home.
Image source, Getty ImagesLuke O'Nien has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes following the Black Cats' loss to Coventry.
The SAFC captain discussed Niall Huggins' injury, what went wrong against Coventry and how the team will bounce back against Hull on Boxing Day.
We asked for your views on Sunderland's 3-0 defeat to Coventry in Michael Beale's first game as head coach.
Here are some of your comments:
Neil: Not talking to each other. No passion - no Pritchard - is there a connection? Lack of dynamism in midfield. Have to say I was underwhelmed at Beale’s appointment… but he is the manager so I’ll back him - for now.
David: Same group of players who defeated Leeds and played so well beaten by a lesser side. Difference = Beale. Speakman should pack his bags and take Beale with him.
Linda: Not a fan of Beale but don’t think you can blame him for this result. We were in control for most of game and IMO very unlucky at times. Ba missed a sitter and if that had gone in might have been a different game/result. Booing off player is not productive IMO. Get behind team and hopefully things will improve.
John: Beale starts his campaign with a performance worthy of League One which is where SAFC will be playing next season. Bring back Mowbray!
Michael: This appointment of Beale is a massive step backwards for Sunderland. We have a great platform to push on from. No disrespect to Beale but out of his depth. We need KLD to realise what this club means to the fan base.
Matt: Shockingly poor performance for much of the game, but I was disappointed that so many SAFC fans were booing our own side. We're supposed to be there to support our team, not kick them when they're down! Let's give the Lads a chance, ha'way.
Glenn: Absolutely terrible performance. Worst display seen for over 3 years. Players looked bereft of confidence and invention. Beale's appointment smacks off a cheap panic buy. Speakman needs to go. He is slowly taking apart all of the building blocks made over the last 3 years. The owner should retake control and sack him.
Milo: Woeful performance. Can't be put down to Beale yet though. Players like Ba really lost for form, a striker is desperately needed to finish the chances the current buys can't. The boys looked all over the shop, especially in defence, Beale has his work cut out...
Image source, Getty ImagesThe phone lines were hot on BBC Radio Newcastle with post-match reaction after Sunderland's defeat to Coventry City.
An audibly angry Martin called the performance an "absolute shambles" and asked "what is Michael Beale doing at this football club?"
At the end of his call Martin declared "I can’t see us making the play-offs now this season” to the agreement of former Sunderland player Gary Bennett.
Patrick, who helped organise the banner display protesting against the ticket allocations for the upcoming Wear-Tyne derby, said: "A lot of players absolutely miles off the pace. Second to everything. No bite. No intensity and for me that comes from the coaching."
On the protest, Patrick cited the club, through multiple owners, taking loyal fans for granted as the reason for the display.
One caller did see the bright side of things. Arlo claimed that the Black Cats could have won the game and pin pointed Abdoullah Ba's miss as a potential turning point.
Sunderland have suffered defeat in their first game since Michael Beale took charge.
Coventry City beat the Black Cats 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Give us your thoughts on the result and Sunderland's performance here.
Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah, 21, is attracting attention from Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest, but the Black Cats are keen to keep the Frenchman as they target the Championship play-offs. (Evening Standard), external
Joanne Youngson from the SAFC heaven branch is a season ticket holder in the Stadium of Light's North Stand.
On the latest Total Sport Sunderland AFC Podcast, Joanne has discussed how she feels about having to move as a result of Newcastle fans being allocated the North Stand for the FA Cup third round derby.
She says it's not about the moving, it's more about how it was communicated and having to wait til a later phase to secure her tickets for the game.
Image source, Getty ImagesSunderland captain Luke O'Nien has spoken about the arrival of new head coach Michael Beale at the club.
"“He’s been great with us. I’ve really enjoyed the first, I think we’ve had three sessions now, so really enjoyed it.
"I’ve already taken on a good deal of information and learning and I think that’s really important that we do that as a group.
"So, yeah, really looking forward obviously to put that, you know, the game plans and the information that he’s given us into the game.
"So, it’s been a good week, really enjoyed it and the festive period, lots of games, looking forward to that as well.”
O'Nien talks about giving Christmas presents to kids and Sunderland's new head coach
Image source, Getty ImagesCoventry City legend, and brother of Gary, Dave Bennett has given an insight into Sunderland's upcoming opposition.
Talking on Total Sport, BBC Radio Newcastle's football phone-in, Dave revealed Coventry are facing an issue Sunderland are also familiar with.
“We’re doing well. We hold our own because it’s a difficult league and obviously we hope our strikers can come good and I’m not too bothered because as long as they come good after Christmas, is a bonus to us.
"Obviously you’ve got Ellis Simms who played for Sunderland, going back there and hopefully it might just spark his season now because he’s not had the best of starts at the moment, so hopefully, he can come on.
"Viktor [Gyökeres] when he came in scored one goal in 30 games and he come good the next season. So, hopefully, if we do, do well or consolidate this season, our strikers can do well next year."
When asked how Coventry will approach the game, Dave explained: "The way we are, we’re a counter-attacking team."
"We like to pass the ball. Hopefully we can get a break and let Sunderland come at us. The good thing about it is Sunderland obviously haven’t got a centre forward.
"They like to play down the wings with the likes of Roberts on the right hand side, so if we can combat that, I think we’ll do well and hopefully hit them on the break but it’s Sunderland against Coventry, you don’t have to say no more. It’s war.”
You can listen to more insight on Sunderland v Coventry City on BBC Sounds.
Image source, Getty ImagesSunderland legend Gary Bennett has had his say on the appointment of Michael Beale as the club's new head coach.
Talking on BBC Radio Newcastle's football phone-in Total Sport, Benno said: “At the end of the day, the most important thing for me is the football club."
"Everyone keeps asking ‘is he good or is he bad? What’s he going to do at the football club?’
“At the end of the day if he comes into the football club and gets results, that’ll do me. As simple as that.”
BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes is ready and raring to go for the first match of the Michael Beale era.
Barnesy has completed another of his iconic artistic commentary notebook pages ahead of Sunderland v Coventry City.
You can listen to commentary from Nick alongside former Black Cats captain Gary Bennett on DAB and Freeview via BBC Radio Newcastle.
We asked for your score predictions and pre-match thoughts ahead of Sunderland v Coventry City.
Here are some of your comments:
Norman: Well as long as Coventry don't score especially our former loanee and expensive player Ellis Simms. Sunderland 2 Coventry 0.
John: The club feels it's very much in an experimental phase with a largely unproven head coach. It could go horribly wrong or brilliantly right!
Eric: Sunderland need to embrace managerial continuity! A few bad results in a sequence of good games does not justify a sacking. Perseverance and a bit of faith = consistency and ultimately better long term results! Still hopeful for a Sunderland result against Coventry. 3-2.
Len: Sunderland to win 3-1.
Have your say on all things Sunderland here.
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Beale has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes ahead of the FA Cup third round derby with Newcastle: "You can be Sunderland manager and never play one.
"So, how fortunate am I? Is this young group of players to be able to play a derby? How fortunate are the fans of both clubs that this game’s in the eye line as well?
"The FA Cup’s a competition that we all grew up loving. It’s lost a little bit but it won’t on the 6th January when that game plays and we’ve got a lot of football to play before that.
"It’s fair to say it’s been mentioned a couple of times already, yeah."
