Match Preview - Sunderland (h)

[Jourdan]

Roy Keane returns to Pride Park Stadium this afternoon, where he won his first game in football management, hoping to steer his Black Cats to their first away win in the league this season. Meanwhile Paul Jewell is still searching for a first win with Derby after taking charge of the relegation-bound Rams in November.

Last Time At Pride Park

Derby 1-2 Sunderland (2006/07)

Recent History

After starting the new Millennium with back-to-back 7th place finishes in the Premier League in 1999/00 and 2000/01, Sunderland fans were dreaming of European football in years to come. However these dreams were soon dashed as in the 2001/02 season, the club flirted with relegation, finishing 17th. But there would be no escape in 2002/03 as a wretched campaign saw the Mackems finish bottom having collected 19 points – the lowest points total achieved in Premier League history at the time and having three managers over the season. Howard Wilkinson replaced Peter Reid before former Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy eventually took the reins.

McCarthy guided the Black Cats to the First Division play-offs in his first full season in charge, yet there would be no instant return to the top flight as they lost to Crystal Palace at the semi-final stage. Second time was the charm for McCarthy’s men as they lifted the Championship in 2004/05. But it would be a miserable return to the Premier League for the Black Cats, as they slumped to another relegation, finishing bottom again with a mere 15 points to their name, breaking the record they had set in 2002/03.

They were still reeling from relegation in 2006/07 as they began the Championship campaign with four straight defeats and crashed out of the Carling Cup after being tamed by League Two side Bury. This prompted Niall Quinn, who had been in a dual role of caretaker manager and chairman after his consortium took over the club, to appoint former Manchester United star Roy Keane as manager. There were signs of improvement immediately as the club claimed 7 wins in his first 15 games in charge. But it was a home defeat to fellow promotion chasers, Preston North End on December 30th that triggered a sensational run of results for the Black Cats, as they would go 17 games unbeaten from that point to catapult themselves into contention for automatic promotion. Despite suffering their first defeat since December away at Colchester, Keane’s men held their nerve in the remaining two games to clinch an instant Premier League return.

Keane has adapted well to top-flight management with his team currently sitting in 15th place, 4 points ahead of 18th placed Reading.

Summer Signings

The consortium led by Niall Quinn had no hesitation in backing Keane with the funds to build a squad capable of avoiding relegation, signing no less than 12 players before the transfer window closed in August and spending an estimated £36.5m.

Keane cherry-picked from the Championship by signing strikers Kenwyne Jones and Michael Chopra, defenders Danny Higginbotham and Paul McShane, goalkeeper Darren Ward and midfielder Dickson Etuhu. He also raided the SPL by breaking the club’s record transfer fee by landing goalkeeper Craig Gordon from Hearts and swooping for centre back Russell Anderson from Aberdeen.

Keane added experienced Premier League campaigners Ian Harte and Andy Cole to the ranks but also bagged two players on the fringes of Premier League football as he lured Kieran Richardson and Greg Halford from Manchester United and Reading respectively.

January Signings

His links with Manchester United continued to aid Keane in his search for players as he paid £2m for promising right back Phil Bardsley and enticed central defender Jonny Evans to return to the Stadium of Light on loan. Another promising defender came through the Stadium of Light doors in the shape of Jean-Yves Mvoto, a 19 year-old centre back who arrived from Paris Saint Germain. The Black Cats boss also strengthened his attacking options by signing central midfielder Andy Reid from Charlton for £4m and Swedish striker Rade Prica from Danish side Aalborg for an undisclosed fee.

Form

It is Sunderland’s formidable home form that has sitting comfortably outside the relegation zone. 24 of the 26 points gained this season have come at the Stadium of Light meaning they hold the one of the worst away records in the Premier League this season.

Since the two sides last met on December 1st, Sunderland have lost 7 of their last 12 league games including 6 consecutive away defeats. However it is an impressive collection of 13 points in their last 6 home games that has elevated them to 15th place as they have defeated relegation rivals Birmingham, Bolton and Wigan and overcome high flying Portsmouth in recent times. They also controversially drew at home to another club with European aspirations, Aston Villa and got thumped 4-0 by title contenders Manchester United.

Predicted Line-ups

Derby – Carroll, Leacock, Stubbs, Moore, McEveley, Sterjovski, Ghaly, Jones, Pearson, Miller, Villa

Sunderland – Gordon, Bardsley, Evans, Nosworthy, Harte, Reid, Whitehead, Etuhu, Richardson, Jones, Murphy

One to Watch

Kenwyne Jones – The Trinidad and Tobago international has been key to Sunderland’s successes this season. After arriving from Southampton for £6m last summer, the 23 year old has scored 5 goals in 23 starts for the Mackems and is the club’s leading goal-scorer. But it is not only his goals that have proved important, his frightening strength and athleticism and his commendable work ethic have also seen him rack up numerous assists.

Player Battles

Moore vs. Jones - Both players originate from Caribbean islands and both players will be looking to outsmart each other to help their respective sides to victory. With both players renowned for their strength, power and aerial ability, it's certain not to be pretty.

Odds (courtesy of Ladbrokes.com on 01/03/2008)

Derby to win – 2/1
Draw – 9/4
Sunderland to win – 13/10

Virtual Betting

5 bets have been taken – 2 members are expecting a draw at 9/4 while 3 members are banking on an away win for Sunderland at 5/4. Other odds include a Derby win at 7/4.

Jourdan predicts…1-0

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