Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Birmingham v Sunderland
Steve Bruce takes his high-flying Sunderland outfit to his old club Birmingham this weekend with a point to prove even if the decision makers behind his exit are no longer at the club. Steve was highly criticised by the former Blues board but has gone on to do good jobs at both Wigan and now Sunderland. After beating Liverpool last week at the Stadium of Light confidence will be high in the Black Cats camp. However, despite some poor results of late, I wouldn’t be surprised if Birmingham got a point in this one.
The loss of Lee Cattermole for a few months will definitely weaken the Sunderland side as the former Wigan man tends to do the ugly work in midfield which may leave them a bit light in that area. The match this weekend is sure to be finely contested in the middle of the park so his loss could be vital.
One area the Black Cats are strong in is up front. Darren Bent has been nothing short of a revelation since his arrival and has completely banished memories of Djibril Cisse. Darren’s a proven goal scorer at this level but his start in a Sunderland shirt couldn’t have been much better. He’s now scored in five successive Premier League matches, if he manages to score at St Andrews’ then he will become the first Black Cats player to score in 6 consecutive top-flight matches since Trevor Ford in December 1951.
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To put Sunderland’s bright start down to just Bent is wrong as Kenwyne Jones has ably assisted the former Spurs man in attack. In fact, Sunderland’s total of 13 goals from strikers this season is a divisional high and the Black Cats are the most clinical side in the Premier League after scoring with 24% of their shots this season.
Despite Sunderland’s positives they’ve still only won once away from home in the league this season and that was on the opening weekend at Bolton. Since then they’ve lost at both Stoke and Burnley prior to a point at Old Trafford. Birmingham have lost their last 4 matches in all competitions which includes a 2-0 Carling Cup defeat at the Stadium of Light. However, I have a feeling the St Andrews’ crowd will be up for this one. Steve Bruce may have a point to prove but I also think that’s the number of points his team will receive as the Blues fight hard to end their losing streak without a beach ball in sight.
Tags: Alan Hansen, Birmingham, Premier 10, Premier League, Sunderland
October 22nd, 2009 at 15:19
Keep not backing us Hansen and we will be fine! lets hope Rafa gets nowt at Man U and us to get another 3 points. Keep up the bias work Hansen!
October 22nd, 2009 at 15:25
Bias against who?
October 22nd, 2009 at 15:48
Are Sunderland actually playing anybody, or are they playing themselves?
You wouldn’t actually think that Birmingham were playing in this match as all of the preview is Sunderland based.
What a poorly piece, I hope you’re not paying the man too much for his work.
October 22nd, 2009 at 16:17
Birmingham have done little to write about have they? The story is Bruce’s return and even Blues fans must realise everyone expects the Super Black Cats to win!
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:44
I just typed in Sunderland into Google and it came back with ‘WHO???’. Then under that it said, ‘Did you mean… Small town by Newcastle?’
Not my findings, blame Google.
Keep Right On!!!!!!!