In focus: Sunderland AFC match preview

21 January 2021

Take a closer look at the latest stats and facts in our match preview ahead of Town's Sky Bet League One clash with Sunderland AFC.

Shrewsbury Town return to league action this weekend with a trip to the Stadium of light to take on Sky Bet League One giants Sunderland AFC. The Shrews will be looking to continue impressive form after beating Blackpool in the last Sky Bet League One fixture.

However, the Salop squad will face a tough task when taking on the eight-placed Black Cats. In their last five fixtures, the home side has drawn four games, won one, and lost one. Charlie Wyke is the in-form man - with the striker having hit double figures for goals in just over half the season.

Name: Sunderland Association Football Club

Nickname: The Black Cats

Founded: 1879 (142 years ago)

Stadium: Stadium of Light

Capacity: 49,000

Chairman/owner: Stewart Donald

Biggest win: 9-1 v Newcastle United, Division One, 5th December 1908

Biggest loss: 0-8 v Southampton, Premier League, 18 October 2014

Highest league finish: Division One champions: 1891-92, 1892-93, 1894-95, 1901-02, 1912-13, 1935-36

Read Aaron Wilbraham's thoughts ahead of Town's trip to the Stadium of Light...

Interviews 21 January 2021

Aaron Wilbraham previews Town's clash with Sunderland AFC

The Manager - Lee Johnson

A former midfielder, Lee Johnson spent a number of years in the Sky Bet Football League with a number of clubs - most notably Yeovil Town and Bristol City.

A young Manager in terms of age, the 39-year-old first ventured into management when he took the reigns at Oldham Athletic in 2013. Stints at Barnsley and Bristol City came before taking the hot seat at Sunderland.

On 5 December 2020, Johnson was appointed the new head coach of Sunderland following the departure of Phil Parkinson. He signed a two and a half year deal with the club.

Goalkeeper - Lee Burge

Lee Burge joined Sunderland AFC in July 2019 ahead of the club’s second season in League One.

The experienced stopper, who left Coventry City following the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light. He made his debut for Sunderland in August 2019, as the Lads defeated Accrington Stanley in the Carabao Cup.

Defender - Dion Sanderson

Sanderson moved to Wearside from Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 2020 on a season-long loan.

He is a versatile defender, who can play on the right or in a central role. He made his debut in an EFL Cup tie against Aston Villa in October 2019 and joined Cardiff City in January 2020 on a six-month loan deal.

During his time at the Cardiff City Stadium, Sanderson made 10 first-team appearances.

Midfielder - Lynden Gooch

Lynden joined the Academy on a two-year scholarship in summer 2012 before turning professional.

The USA international made his first-team debut as a substitute against Exeter City in the Capital One Cup in August 2015. He joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in January 2016 before later putting pen to paper on a three-year contract, keeping him on Wearside until 2019.

The USA international has since gone on to become a regular member of the first-team squad.

Forward - Charlie Wyke

Charlie Wyke started his career at Middlesbrough, progressing through the ranks and scoring regularly at every level before earning a professional contract.

Wyke joined Sunderland ahead of the 2018-19 season and has since established himself as one of the team's most important players. He scored his first goal for the club against Oxford United in September 2018.

League stats panel:

Officials:

Referee: Samuel Barrott
Assistants: Wayne Grunnill and Geoffrey Liddle
Fourth Official: Carl Boyeson

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Match Reports

Match report: Sunderland AFC 1 Shrewsbury Town 0

23 January 2021

Town narrowly lose out 1-0 at the hands of Sunderland AFC.

Shrewsbury Town's afternoon in Sunderland ultimately ended in disappointment despite the away side pushing the Black Cats all the way.

Charlie Wyke was the man who notched the singular goal of the game as all three points remained at the Stadium of Light despite a performance resurgence from Town in the second half.

After a competitive opening 15 minutes, the game could have swung either way but it was the home side that found the opening goal. Aiden McGeady delivered a perfect cross into the box and the in-form Charlie Wyke jumped highest to head the ball into the far corner of the net.

The Black Cats were having a number of chances in the Town box and nearly double their lead early on. Matija Sarkic rushed off his line but miss guided the pace of the pas. However, Salop recovered well to close the angle down to prevent a second going in.

Leon Clarke had a golden opportunity to put Town back onto level terms with just under 10 minutes left in the half. The striker received the ball inside the box but his effort from a still ball rose over the bar.

In a game filled with half-chances and small opportunities, a smart run from Harry Chapman nearly gave Town a goal in the 40^th minute. The forward darted in between two defenders and into the box but his powerful shot was well saved by Lee Burge.

The second period also lacked chances but Shaun Whalley was a bright spark for Town on the ball. The winger showed promise going forward and managed to dribble past his man to let off a shot in the 70^th minute. However, the powerful effort didn’t stop rising as the ball flashed over the bar.

The game came to an end with the home side holding on to earn all three points after a tightly contested fixture.

Sunderland: Lee Burge, Jordan Willis, Bailey Wright, Max Power, Charlie Wyke, Aiden O'Brien, Josh Scowen, Jack Diamond (Chris Maguire, 66), Grant Leadbitter, Callum McFadzean, Aiden McGeady (Carl Winchester, 81).

Subs: Remi Mathews, Chris Maguire, Luke O'Nien, Dion Sanderson, Elliot Embleton, Danny Graham, Carl Winchester.

Town: Matija Sarkic, Donald Love (Dan Udoh, 89), Aaron Pierre, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Matthew Pennington, Ro-Shaun Williams (Ryan Sears, 66), Ollie Norburn, Josh Vela, Harry Chapman, Shaun Whalley, Leon Clarke (Sean Goss, 78).

Subs: Harry Burgoyne, Scott Golbourne, David Edwards, Sean Goss, Ryan Sears, Daniel Udoh, Jason Cummings.

Referee: Samuel Barrott

Assistants: Wayne Grunnill and Geoffrey Liddle

Fourth Official: Carl Boyeson

Bookings:

Aiden McGeady was shown a yellow card in the 28^th minute for a push on Matthew Pennington.

Aaron Pierre was the next player in the book with 74 minutes on the clock for a foul in the home side’s box.

Grant Leadbitter was booked for a foul in the 77^th minute in the middle of the park.

Ticket News

Match passes: Sunderland AFC

21 January 2021

Match passes are now available to purchase for Town's Sky Bet League One away clash with Sunderland AFC.

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In focus: Sunderland AFC match preview

Read Aaron Wilbraham's thoughts ahead of Town's trip to the Stadium of Light...