Roker Report
Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!
Total reads
4,770
This week
4
Rank
#31 of 466
Published
2,299 posts
Last 12 weeks
Most read posts
Featured on Sportsblogs
Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.
Latest Entries
Rallying The Lads: Time To Get Back To Winning Ways
Sunderland AFC fans rally after a 2‑0 win over SCU Torreense in the Europa League (Oct 15, 2026) and a bleak start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign. Columnists Dan Harrison, David Elliott, John Wilson and Malc Dugdale urge the team, managed by Régis Le Bris, to curb complacency, revisit basics and use the 31 games left – 93 points – to reverse fortunes. They cite early‑season difficulty, compare to Aston Villa’s turnaround, and stress constructive criticism, fan support and a unified chant: “We are Sunderland”. The consensus: with a modest points gap to Brentford and a strong squad, an upturn is possible if attitude improves.
Sunderland Have Issues, But They Are Fixable
Sunderland have slipped into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since 2016/17 after a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on October 21, 2026. The Roker Report criticises a sluggish, wing‑back‑heavy style, lack of creativity and a porous defence, noting missed chances from wingers and over‑reliance on Brian Brobbey. Recent losses to Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton highlight inconsistency, while injuries further expose squad fragility. With upcoming fixtures against Lech Poznan and two big games looming, the article urges urgent tactical and mental fixes before the November slump deepens.
Sunderland in Europe: Just Another Away Day, Only Further From Home
Sunderland’s first European outing in 53 years takes fan Zak on a meticulously planned away trip to Portugal. After navigating airport hassles, a bus ride from Porto and last‑minute ticket checks, Zak and fellow supporters flood the Leiria square with red and white chants, turning a Thursday night match into a familiar Sunderland ritual under Portuguese sunshine. The piece blends personal anecdotes, travel logistics, and the electric atmosphere of the club’s long‑awaited return to Europe.
Haway The Podcast | “IS IT TIME FOR REGIS TO EAT HUMBLE PIE?!” – It’s A Good Time For A Q&A!
In the October 20, 2026 episode of Haway The Podcast, hosts Andrew and Jonny join Chris for a lively Q&A that tackles whether Sunderland manager Regis should “eat humble pie.” The trio debates blame versus the grass‑is‑greener mindset, delivering the usual Sunderland‑centric banter. Listeners are reminded to subscribe for the daily free show and can follow the discussion on Roker Report’s social channels.
OTD (20/10/2018): The Making of Mr Sunderland
On October 20, 2018 Sunderland beat Shrewsbury Town 2-0 in League One, with Luke O'Niens scoring his first goal for the club. The post, an OTD tribute, traces O'Niens' rise from a released Watford youth to Sunderland's versatile right‑back, highlighting his debut win over Charlton, his positional switch that earned him Young Player of the Year, and his 40‑appearance, five‑goal 2018‑19 season. It also notes his calm handling of a play‑off incident at Fratton Park and his steady performances amid Sunderland’s managerial turmoil and a COVID‑cut 2019‑20 campaign.
Sunderland’s Bournemouth Disaster: A Season in Danger?
Sunderland’s trip to Bournemouth turned into a six‑point nightmare, with the Black Cats reduced to ten men and trailing 0‑2 after an early header and a second‑half collapse. Coach Le Bris’s lineup sparked controversy – untested Timur Tutierov started up front while Brobbey sat out, and the lack of wingers left the side exposed. A red card for Danso, an injury to Mukiele and defensive blunders sealed the defeat, leaving fans fearing a season‑long disaster. The article warns that urgent changes are needed to halt Sunderland’s downward spiral.
Fan Letters: Sunderland Fans Fear the Worst as Results & Performances Slide
Sunderland supporters voice mounting frustration as Premier League form plummets. Fans cite just one shot on target across recent defeats to Brighton and Bournemouth, five losses in seven games, and defensive lapses that have left the club at rock bottom. Despite nearly £100 million spent on wingers since returning to the top flight, none have delivered, prompting calls for manager Regis Le Bris to reverse the slide or face dismissal. Readers also see veteran fan Jeremy Ward urging a rebuild akin to Ipswich if relegation looms, while editor Gav warns a loss to Leeds could trigger a managerial change.
Sunderland Must Respond Now – Before This Season Unravels
Sunderland’s early‑season slump threatens the momentum sparked by last year’s surprising European qualification. After a disjointed 2-0 loss to Bournemouth on October 18, manager Régis Le Bris faces mounting criticism as the team’s defense leaks, attack stalls and key players look timid. The article argues that while Le Bris earned praise for European wins, his league form must improve quickly, with upcoming fixtures against Leeds United and Coventry City crucial for the club’s Premier League standing and his job security. The piece stresses the need for Sunderland to regroup before the season unravels.
Haway The Podcast | WHAT’S GOING WRONG AT SUNDERLAND? | Jeff Brown on Bournemouth Defeat
In the latest episode of Haway The Podcast, Martin, Andrew and Jeff Brown dissect Sunderland’s shocking loss to Bournemouth, questioning whether panic is warranted and how much pressure manager Regis Le Bris faces. They examine the dip in form of last season’s stand‑out players and speculate on KLD’s next move. The discussion aims to pinpoint what’s gone wrong at SAFC and what must change quickly.
Editorial: Simply Not Good Enough – Something Needs To Change
After Sunderland’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, defender Nordi Mukiele bluntly blamed arrogance and a lack of fight, urging the squad to raise standards. Captain Granit Xhaka echoed the call for accountability on Instagram, while the editorial stresses that manager Régis Le Bris and the players must both step up. With upcoming fixtures against Poznań and Leeds, the piece warns that continued complacency could cost jobs and jeopardise the club’s progress, urging immediate changes in training intensity and team unity.
Talking Points: Sunderland Hit The Skids As Bournemouth Cash In
Sunderland’s Premier League opening slump hits a low point after a 0-2 loss to Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on October 18, 2026. Defensive blunders gifted Marcus Tavernier the opener, while a red card for Kevin Danso and a lack of attacking firepower left the Lads floundering. Manager Régis Le Bris’s reshuffle fails to spark improvement, and captain Granit Xhaka looks out of sorts, raising concerns about the team’s direction. The club now faces a Europa League tie with Lech Poznan before a crucial league clash with Leeds, needing a swift turnaround to avoid a season‑long slide.
2 Up, 2 Down: Sunderland’s Slump Continues At Bournemouth
Sunderland’s miserable 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on October 18 deepened their early‑season slump, prompting harsh criticism of Régis Le Bris’s side. Despite a strong showing from Dutch keeper Robin Roefs, who saved multiple shots and kept the score respectable, defensive lapses and a disorganized press saw the Black Cats concede two goals, one stemming from Omar Alderete’s errors. The club also missed key attackers Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor, while midfielders Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée were overrun after a red card reduced them to ten men. Fans fear the upcoming clash with Leeds could be decisive for the season’s trajectory.
OTD (19/10/1988): Sunderland Make a Profit And A New International
On October 19, 2026 the Roker Report recalls Sunderland’s financial turnaround in 1988: after a £125,000 loss that followed the club’s first-ever relegation from the Second Division, the accounts released in 1989 showed a £250,000 profit and a £375,000 swing in the club’s favour. The boost came from higher match receipts (£450,482), an interest‑free £600,000 loan from chairman Bob Murray and tighter wage control, moving assets to a positive £39,224 for the first time since 1974. The same day, midfielder Colin Pascoe earned his first full Wales cap, becoming the club’s first international since 1983. The article also notes a looming £300,000 Roker Park cost if government‑mandated total‑membership schemes were imposed.
Haway The Podcast | “UNACCEPTABLE!” – Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland Reaction
🤬 RUDDERLESS. RANK. UNACCEPTABLE. 🔴⚪ Sunderland were absolutely dreadful on the south coast, slumping to a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth and dropping to 19th in the Premier League table. There’s no sugarcoating this one. The performance was grim, the Lads looked short of answers, and the players need to step up quickly before this situation […]
Andy’s Player Ratings: Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland – Defensive Disaster As Black Cats Flop
Robin Roefs: 8/10 No chance with either goal and made a number of saves to stop the scoreline getting out of hand. Trai Hume: 4/10 Had one run forward early on when he could have picked out Tutierov but just recycled possession instead. Fine at right back but wasteful in possession. Nordi Mukiele: 6/10 Despite […]
Haway The Podcast | Sunderland v Bournemouth Preview | Can the Lads Back It Up?
FROM EUROPEAN DRAMA TO PREMIER LEAGUE BUSINESS! 🔴⚪👀 After Thursday’s dramatic finish in Portugal, Sunderland are back on British soil – and there’s no time to rest! AFC Bournemouth are next up, with both sides looking to find their feet after a slow start to the Premier League season. With three points desperately needed, this […]
OTD (18/10/1980): Election Time For Fred The Red (And White)
The Sunderland AFC economy was a major talking point on the 18th of October 1980, with Echo reporter Geoff Storey outlining the tight budget manager Ken Knighton was working to. On the pitch, things had been going well; that same afternoon the Lads secured an encouraging point away at Arsenal as their promising return to […]
Starting XI: Is This The Sunderland Team To Take On Bournemouth Today?
The lads head straight to Bournemouth from Portugal for what is a big game for both clubs, who are equally desperate to get some Premier League points on the board. While Regis Le Bris changed the team up on Thursday it was a largely insipid display until the closing stages, but one or two did […]
Fan Focus: What can Sunderland expect from Marco Rose’s Bournemouth side?
Bournemouth finished sixth last season, their highest-ever Premier League finish and qualified for Europe for the first time in the club’s history. Just how special was last season and has that success changed expectations among supporters? What an incredible achievement last season was. It was an odd one, with a great start, a terrible middle […]
Don’t Worry… Sunderland Are Gonna Be Alright
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun Three little birds pitch by my doorstep Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou” Full disclosure: I am a happy clapper. And what you’re going to read is about the happy-clappingest happy clapping you’ll ever see. I’m writing […]
Match Preview: Bournemouth v Sunderland — Too Early To Be A Six-Pointer?
Sunday 18th October 2026 Bournemouth v Sunderland – Premier League Vitality Stadium – Kick-Off: 14:00 Match Coverage 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 the game on the Roker Report Twitter feed […]
Score Predictions: Can Sunderland Grab A Key Win At Bournemouth?
Stats at a glance: Bournemouth (A), Premier League: 18/10/2026 Average home goals predicted: 1.25 Average away goals predicted: 1.25 Confidence of Roker Report’s writers: 4.9/10 Predicting a win for the Lads: 50% Martin Wanless (Cautious Optimist) says… Score prediction: Bournemouth 1 Sunderland 2 We really need to pick up three points today and while we […]
Sun, Sagres and Sadiki: Sunderland’s European Away Day
As a few dark clouds began to gather over Sunderland’s season, a trip to sun-kissed Portugal – for our first European away day in 53 years – was exactly what the doctor ordered to lift our collective spirits. I decided to make an extended stay out of this one, given that flights from London to […]
Haway The Podcast | ‘There’s big pressure to get a result!’
We NEED to bounce back from the Brighton defeat and Bournemouth are still looking for their first win in the Premier League this season – which means the stakes are high for Sunday’s fixture! We catch up with Alexander Smith from the Bournemouth Daily Echo to find out everything that is going on down on […]
Sadiki And Ahoka Are The Jules In The Sunderland European Crown
It was an image straight from a European tie of years past: an ecstatic player hurdling the pitchside advertising hoardings, running across the adjacent athletics track and throwing himself jubilantly into a throng of travelling supporters that had been put through ninety minutes of nerves and anxiety on a curious night in Portugal. The player? […]
Displaying entries 101-125
of the latest 1,250