Sunderland

We asked for your thoughts on Sunderland's 1-0 defeat to Bristol City.

Here are some of your comments:

Milo: Tough one to take, O'Leary had a stunner. Lads have been excellent recently but Bristol seem to be our bogey team! 1-0 win with a penalty again eerily consistent in this fixture 😳

Niall: Poor management to play Clarke up front and Ba left wing. Ba was poor Tuesday but still plays. Rusyn would have been better to play balls in behind. Neil done nothing but seems untouchable to be brought off. Would have changed it at HT. We go 2 steps forward & 10 back. 2 bad days.

Janet: Don’t like to put them down after last 2 good results. Why are we playing Ba and leaving Jobe on the side line. Owners need a striker transfer window or at least play a striker. We might get to playoffs but if we ever went up would be punished every week for lack of goals. If we got points for possession would be top of league.

Andy: There's been a void where a decent striker ought to be for almost a season and a half. That makes the play from Clarke and Roberts repetitive and obvious which in turn diminishes their effectiveness. It must hack them off too that we come away with nothing again despite being the better team. I buy into the business model but it has to be flexible.

Dave: After 2 massive wins what a totally inept display clueless in first half, got a shade better second. Ekwah wants to be away I am a big fan but he was hopeless that's being polite. We have the worst set of strikers I have ever seen in an SAFC shirt collectively. Useless and I mean useless Bellingham lives off his brother's reputation.

Kev: Pathetic this team away. No chance of top 6 now. These owners need to go now. The signings have been shocking since last January. We want Mowbray back as well.

Prest: Unlucky. We should have won stuff like that considering we beat Leeds 1-0.

Sunderland's good form under Mike Dodds has come to an end with a 1-0 loss against Bristol City.

Tommy Conway's first half penalty proved the difference between the two sides.

Sunderland pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half, had late calls for penalties of their own and forced goal line clearances from the home side.

Give us your thoughts on the result and Sunderland's performance here.

• Bristol City have won just one of their last nine league games against Sunderland (D5 L3), a 2-1 away win in October 2017.

• Following their 3-2 win at Bristol City last season, Sunderland are looking for consecutive away league wins at the Robins for the first time since December 1909.

• Bristol City lost their last home league game against Norwich having won the previous two – not since Boxing Day 2022 have the Robins lost successive home league matches.

• Sunderland are without an away league win in their previous five games (D2 L3), it’s their longest run in the Championship since March 2018 (6 games).

• Sunderland’s Jack Clarke has scored eight away league goals in 2023-24, which is already one more than in his previous five seasons in the Football League combined (7).

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The group behind fan funded flag displays at the Stadium of Light have released a statement ahead of Sunderland's FA Cup third round derby against Newcastle.

In the statement on their website, external, The Spirit of 37 say: "Firstly, thank you to every single fan who donated to the display fundraiser.

"We can confirm that there will be a full stadium (excluding north stand) display ahead of the game. This has been agreed with SAFC and we look forward to putting this display on.

"During the course of the fundraising effort, there has been some confusion regarding why we changed the target amount. We want to clarify those confusions.

"The only reason to increase the target amount was to give us more spending power to put on a bigger and better display.

"We completely & absolutely refute any suggestion that increasing the amount was for our own benefit. All money raised is always spent on displays. Our goal as a group is to create something for fans and players to enjoy, to try to improve the matchday atmosphere and make fans proud of their club.

"Our communication should’ve been better and for that we apologise.

"As with any display, we submitted our plans for the game to the club. This was for a full stadium display, including an element highlighting Newcastle’s ownership. We were told by SAFC that this display was approved.

"We were informed that the club no longer permitted our display plans a day later and we were forced to change them quickly so we could submit our order before the deadline. The plan was not offensive and we were obviously disappointed with this decision.

"As mentioned above, there will still be a full stadium display before the match. This won't be what we originally planned, but we will do our utmost to create an impressive spectacle.

"Thank you for your support and once again, we apologise for any confusion caused."

After reports of Michael Beale becoming Sunderland's new head coach, you have been sharing your thoughts on Tony Mowbray's potential replacement.

Norman: If the rumours of Beale replacing Mowbray are true, then the hierarchy have royally screwed the loyal supporters over. Kiss goodbye to Premier league ambition.

Kevin: I cannot believe we are going to appoint Michael Beale. Arguably the weakest manager Rangers have had in living memory. Truly underwhelming and a poor reflection on KLD and the board.

Alex: Not at all enthused by the news of Beale coming in. Patchy at best. Would rather stick with Doddsy while we find a better option.

Geoff: Michael Beale. What an insult to the fans. He has a lousy record in the EFL (QPR) and whilst it may look good with Rangers, you have to take into account that’s it’s the equivalent of playing Hartlepool United every week. It is just so underwhelming to be linked to another Parkinson-like appointment. Clueless on Wearside.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes is prepped and ready for the Black Cats' trip to Bristol City this weekend.

Barnesy's colourful notebooks are popular among supporters and his commentary colleagues.

You can listen to commentary of Bristol City v Sunderland from Nick alongside Sunderland legend Gary Bennett on DAB and Freeview via BBC Radio Newcastle.

Benno has handily modelled the book for us.

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Sunderland have revealed the ticketing details for their FA Cup third round derby date with Newcastle.

Via the club website, external, Sunderland say, "On sale from 10am on Monday 18 December, tickets will be available subject to availability via three phases."

On Newcastle's allocation, the club says:

"Emirates FA Cup competition rules stipulate that the visiting Club shall have the right to claim up to 15% of all seats for which tickets are issued.

"Following comprehensive dialogue with the Sunderland and Newcastle Safety Advisory Groups, Northumbria Police and Newcastle United, it has been determined that NUFC will receive an allocation of 6,000 tickets.

"Away supporters will subsequently be situated in the North Stand Upper and North Stand Lower. We appreciate some season tickets holders will be displaced by this stadium configuration.

"An agreement is in place with NUFC to replicate a 6,000-ticket away allocation should a replay be required at St James’ Park and following consultation with the Newcastle Safety Advisory Group and Northumbria Police, all parties are planning for this eventuality."

On the moving of season ticket holders, Sunderland add, "Season ticket holders located in the North Stand, including Black Cats Bar, will be required to relocate for this fixture.

We understand this will result in some disappointment and appreciate your understanding of these exceptional circumstances."

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Sunderland's Championship clash with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium has been rescheduled for TV.

Initially scheduled to take place at 3pm on Saturday 3 February, the fixture will now kick off at 12 noon on Sunday 4 February.

Michael Beale is in advanced talks to become the next Sunderland manager and is expected to be at the Bristol City game before taking charge against Coventry next weekend. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

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SAFC social media was buzzing with praise for Sunderland youngster Tommy Watson after the under 18s side beat Middlesbrough in the FA Youth Cup to progress into the fourth round of the competition.

Many fans likened Watson's playing style to Jack Clarke with some referring to him as a regen and a clone.

The 17-year-old forced an own goal from a deflected cross to open the scoring and slotted home a penalty to secure Sunderland's fourth goal of the night.

In a video posted by the Academy of the Light on X, Watson said: "It was a top performance from the boys.

"I thought the first half was really dominant and the second half got a little bit shaky but I thought we stuck the shaky moments out, bossed the end bit and finished the game off well."

Image source, Getty Images

Interim head coach Mike Dodds made a number of changes to his starting line-up in Sunderland's 1-0 win against Leeds United on Tuesday night.

One of the more surprising inclusions was Abdoullah Ba on the right wing in place of Patrick Roberts.

Ba had a quiet game before being replaced by Roberts after 59 minutes.

On BBC Radio Newcastle's football phone-in, Total Sport, Sunderland fan Lawrence exclaimed "Ba's no good."

Former Black Cats striker Marco Gabbiadini, a pundit on the show, insisted the French winger "played his part in a good result."

Later in the phone-in, Rob called to respond to Lawrence's claims, sighting Ba's past good form and talent in carrying Sunderland forward up the pitch particularly against teams who like to control possession.

Rob did however concede that Ba struggled with Leeds' physicality and praised the opposition's defensive duo Pascal Struijk and Djed Spence in keeping Ba quiet.

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Dodds has praised centre back Dan Ballard as "one of the best defenders in the league."

In an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes, the interim head coach said that he sees Ballard as a "potential international captain" after exclaiming "there's not much he can't do."

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Sunderland's interim head coach Mike Dodds has given an update on midfielder Jay Matete who has been out with a knee injury since pre-season.

"Jay’s been training. Jay is back in more or less full time training.

"I think he’s going to play for the under 21s on Monday so he’s not a million miles away and he’s going to be a really welcome boost in terms of competition, in terms of depth."

Listen to more of Mike Dodds' interview with BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes on BBC Sounds.

Image source, BBC Sport

Championship side Sunderland are in talks to appoint Will Still but face a battle to win over the Belgium-born English coach, 31, who is in charge of Ligue 1 side Reims. (Telegraph - subscription), external

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Sunderland fans are concerned about the possibility of Jack Clarke leaving the club in January.

Clarke was linked throughout the summer with a move to Premier League side Burnley and has been in fine form for the Black Cats with ten goals already this season.

On Total Sport, BBC Radio Newcastle's football phone-in, a caller expressed his concern about the winger being sold in the upcoming transfer window.

Former Sunderland striker and Total Sport pundit Marco Gabbiadini outlined that the club's current model is to develop young players and sell them for a profit to then reinvest in the team.

Marco said if Sunderland can make “big margin" on Jack Clarke by selling him, "they probably will."

The caller, Lawrence replied "I don't know why because Clarke will get us promoted. He’s an outstanding footballer. That’s the player you need in the [Premier League], so why get rid of him?"

Simon Pryde, the host of Total Sport added “If they’re up in the play off positions Marco, selling Jack Clarke could cost them.”

Gabbiadini responded, “I totally agree. I’ve said it for a long time. They wouldn’t give Stewart what he wanted. They knew they were going to lose him. The difference is with Clarke is he’s on a longer term contract. That means he has a value but that value starts to diminish as you get nearer to the end of the contract. The model is, is that there is a prime time to sell.”

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Mike Dodds has spoken about the fear of failure being a driving force for him.

In an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes, the interim head coach said: “I don’t want to let people down.

"In particular the fans because you know this is their life and you know, I used the example to someone the other day that I’m a guest in their environment.

"I’m a guest in their life and while I’m here I’ll always be respectful of that kind of, that notion.

"I’m not going to be here forever and when I leave, they’re still going to be here so what I want to try and do is, when I do leave the football club, I want to leave it in a better position and one of the drivers is that.

What I don’t want to do is let anyone down."

What do you think of Mike Dodds' recent time at the helm of Sunderland? Let us know your views on the temporary boss here.

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Mike Dodds has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes ahead of his third game as interim head coach.

The temporary boss has spoken about the consuming 24/7 nature of the position but says people have "got to slow down" when discussing him as a permanent option for the club.

Dodds admits "at some point" he would like to be a head coach but says he is in "no rush."

He has also been heaping praise on centre back Dan Ballard as "one of the best defenders in the league" and a "potential international captain."

After two wins against in-form West Brom and Leeds United, Dodds is looking forward to another 'tactical game' against Bristol City this weekend.

Listen to Mike Dodds' full interview with Nick Barnes on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Tony Mowbray has offered a message in the wake of his sacking by Sunderland earlier this month.

In a statement, he said: "After fifteen eventful months my time at Sunderland has come to an end.

"I would like to thank Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for entrusting me to lead such a historic and significant Football Club.

"I believe that I leave the Club in a positive place in terms of both league position and also with a strong and unified dressing room.

"To the players, thank you. You have been a pleasure to work with. You are a special group with humility being a core value within the dressing room. Thank you for embracing our methods and I hope that you enjoyed the journey.

"I am grateful to the senior professionals who acted as role models and mentors for their young team mates and also thankful to the young players who thrived under the style of play.

"To all of the support staff at both the training ground and the stadium, thank you for creating such a positive environment in which the players flourished.

"Finally, I would like to thank the most important people at any football club, the supporters. I will forever be grateful for the amazing support that you gave to the team but also to me personally. As a native Teessider, the warmth that I received from Wearside was truly special. It is a bond that I genuinely appreciate.

"The atmosphere that you created at the Stadium of Light was inspirational and to those of you who travelled in your many thousands supporting the team around the country your support was phenomenal.

"I leave energised and enthusiastic for my next challenge.

"Thank you for the memories."