Supporters Must Back Lads

Sunderland look to bounce back from last weeks catastrophe against Stoke City this weekend and the home supporters must be loud and proud.

Yes we are all down in the dumps at the moment and if you're like me, won't be interested in football much currently. But that has got to stop on Saturday or we risk starting up another club crisis. It's going to be tough but it's important we all cheer the red & whites on as much as we can to boost confidence. Getting on the players backs will do us no good.

A lot of our support will be blaming the players, but most will probably choose to take it out on Steve Bruce. Geordie Bruce has had the full backing of the fans up until now, but arguably the biggest test of his managerial career will begin this Saturday as he must motivate a team low on morale and confidence and to boost 40,000 fans after last Sunday's debacle.

Stoke will bring several former Sunderland stars back to the SoL, but it's the return of Kenwyne Jones which will worry Bruce the most. The Sunderland boss decided to sell Jones to Tony Pulis' outfit in the summer for £8M and replace him with £13M man Asamoah Gyan. Jones has started the season the better and he will be eager to show Sunderland what they are missing. Having said that Asamoah Gyan will get his first league start and will also be firing on all cylinders.

As well as Gyan, it is thought Craig Gordon will return to the side in place of Simon Mignolet and John Mensah will replace the suspended Titus Bramble. Bruce may decide to bring in Bolo Zenden to add experience to the midfield.

What's happened has gone..time to look to the future and to put things right.

Ha'Way The Lads!

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