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Roker Report

https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/ | 683 entries published

Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!

Latest Entries

Ghisolfi In The Stands: What His Visit Could Mean For Sunderland Women

There are moments in football that feel minor yet carry the weight of something shifting beneath the surface — and Florent Ghisolfi’s appearance at Sunderland AFC Women’s match against Ipswich Town on Sunday was one of those moments.  A director of football attending a women’s fixture is not, in itself, extraordinary. Yet in the context […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Haway The Podcast | MONDAY SUPPLEMENT | Phil Smith On Leeds Draw

After Sunderland’s draw with Leeds, we caught up with the Sunderland Echo’s Phil Smith to review all of the action. Chris, Martin and Phil discussed: This episode of Haway The Podcast is sponsored by ⁠LiveScoreBet⁠, a principal partner of Sunderland AFC.  For more information, visit LiveScoreBet.com or download the LiveScore Bet app. Over 18s only, please […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Talking Points: Sunderland’s “Year Of Moments” Ends With Another Point!

Dan Ballard’s absence puts Sunderland behind the eight ball I’d been thinking prior to the game that it had been really encouraging to see Ballard playing so often recently, but football being football, I should’ve known that something was going to be around the corner. A massive part of the team both defensively and offensively, […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Matchday Musings: Sunderland Maintain Unbeaten Home Record Against Leeds!

When the news came out that Dan Ballard wasn’t fit enough to make the starting eleven for Leeds’ visit, a lot of concerns arose for many, but in the end we did a decent job in defence. There were extended periods — especially in the second half — where it was very much “backs against […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

2 Up, 2 Down: Never-Say-Die Sunderland Forced To Settle For A Point

Calum Mills says… Firstly, I hope everyone had a brilliant Christmas and has an excellent year ahead! Simon Adingra makes his mark He needed it. For me he’s been so hit and miss since we signed him, but he was brilliant. The first touch that set up the goal was superb and the finish was […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

On This Day (28th Dec 1992): Crosby Enjoys A Win During His Final Run

When Sunderland AFC supporters think of 1992 they will automatically recall Malcolm Crosby – a fan of the club growing up that subsequently took the Lads to Wembley as he lived out the dream of taking charge at Roker Park. On the face of things, it was a year of great excitement but whilst people […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Starting XI: One Change For Sunderland Today?

We acquitted ourselves well at Brighton last time out, and with a big game against Leeds today the squad will be tested again. Chris Rigg was the surprise inclusion last weekend, and while he did OK I think his inclusion was more tactical than anything else and I’d be surprised to see him in the […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Score Predictions: Will Sunderland Keep Up Their Cracking Home Form v Leeds?

Martin Wanless predicts… Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Leeds 1 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Brian Brobbey Leeds have been in good form recently, especially at home, but so have we – and we’ll be targeting this game as one from which we can get another three points to add to our already impressive total. Despite being without […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Match Preview: Sunderland v Leeds United — Will The Lads Deliver A Late Christmas Gift?

Saturday 28th December 2025 Sunderland v Leeds United – Premier League Stadium of Light Kick-Off: 14:00 Tickets & Match Coverage Tickets: Tickets are sold out. TV/Stream: Full live match coverage is available via Sky Sports. Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online) Don’t forget to follow the blow-by-blow account of […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Fan Focus: What Can Sunderland Expect From Leeds?

After four straight defeats, Leeds are on a current unbeaten run of four games, beating Chelsea and Palace – what has sparked an upturn in form? A change in tactical formation from the 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 during half-time at the Etihad has transformed Leeds and made them much more difficult and unpredictable to play against. […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Mel Reay: In or Out? Sunderland Women’s Dilemma

Sunderland sit towards the bottom of the WSL2, a position that naturally invites scrutiny, frustration, and emotional reaction. Yet the table tells a more nuanced story: the gap between 11th and 7th is a mere three points, meaning that a short burst of good form could transform the club’s outlook almost overnight. This tension between […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

On This Day (26 December 1962) Brian Clough Suffers Career-Ending Injury At Roker

It’s a date and a game etched into the minds of many Sunderland supporters, no matter whether you were around at the time or not. Boxing Day, 1962, Sunderland versus Bury. Alan Brown’s team were flying high in the second division – second in the league at Christmas after beating Leeds 2-1 at Roker three days […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Boxing Day Footie — A Fixture Of The Festivities

Boxing Day is here, and a glut of football is taking place right across the pyramid – apart from at the very top. Only one Premier League game is scheduled for December 26th, that being Manchester United vs. Newcastle United. The rest of the league play will take place across the next three days, with […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

It Does Get Much Better Than Sunderland At Christmas

It has become a Sunderland tradition in my household to follow the lads to at least one away game over the Christmas holidays. My brother and I would be overjoyed to receive the ticket as a Christmas present. The next day, we would bundle into the car and begin the trip. I would sit in […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Atkinson And Blades: Sunderland’s New Dynamic Duo?

Given the Lasses’ limited attacking output, there’s a sense that Sunderland haven’t quite reached their full creative potential. Injuries have disrupted their rhythm, limited options, and forced tactical reshuffles, and among the players whose absences have been felt most keenly are Izzy Atkinson and Reanna Blades — two wide players who offer something different. Although […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Sixth At Christmas: Our Writers On Sunderland’s Yuletide High!

Gav says… It’s been a season like no other in my lifetime — not just a season, actually, but a year that’s gone beyond my wildest dreams. The storyline of 2025 for Sunderland has been like no other — and it genuinely could’ve been the script of a movie. The way we’ve won big games […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

On This Day (25th Dec 1940): Len Duns Stars In A Christmas Cracker

The breakout of war in the early 1940s ultimately put a halt to any competitive football in England at this time. This meant that regional leagues and friendlies were the only games in which any club in the country could participate, with the funds raised from these friendly games going towards the war effort. For […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Roker Report’s Alternative Christmas Speech: 2025 Has Been A Year To Savour

A very merry Christmas to one and all. A yuletide fact for everyone: did you know Santa’s outfit is red and white because he’s a massive Lads fan? There may be truth in that; there may not. But if he has a Sky Sports package (or IPTV for those of you on the naughty list […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Haway The Podcast | XMAS EVE SPECIAL | We Talk To Tony Jameson From The FM Show!

It’s Christmas Eve! And while we’re waiting for Santa to rock up we thought we’d provide an early treat as we speak to comedian, the host of The FM Show and massive Lads fan… Tony Jameson! All of this and more on, so get on it! This episode of Haway The Podcast is sponsored by LiveScoreBet, […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads