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Roker Report

Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!

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Sunderland’s DNA & Evolving The Model

Since KLD and Speakman have taken the reins at Sunderland, fans and commentators have fixated on the term ‘model’. In the years since their ownership commenced, we have strategically invested in young prospects that we have taken time to develop. One clear message I received from the interview on Monday night is that this way […]

Fan Focus: Arsenal fan Laura has “nothing but love” for Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka!

Currently top of the table, Arsenal have had a brilliant start to this season and look like prime contenders for the title. What would you say are the key differences from previous seasons? The obvious one would be personnel. Arsenal have brought in players who have elevated our existing style of play and crucially offered […]

On This Day (7 November 2014) Wickham linked with Lazio move

The signing of Connor Wickham three years earlier had seemed like a huge coup by Steve Bruce. The young Ipswich striker was the talk of football at the time, and at just 18 had the physicality and seeming the ability to really make an impact in the game. Fast foward three years, however, and things […]

Sunderland’s Mentality Is Growing Ever Stronger!

Sunderland started sluggishly but ended strongly during Monday’s draw with Everton, coming from behind for the fourth time this season to pick up points. On reflection, it was a good point overall but there was a nagging sense that given our second half dominance, perhaps we could’ve taken all three. The draw moved us back […]

MLS

Enzo Le Fée: Sunderland’s Determined Magician!

Towards the end of pre-season, Régis Le Bris discussed Enzo Le Fée’s omission from what seemed to be his “preferred” starting eleven with an air of sadness. When Granit Xhaka joined and immediately came in to sit at the base of midfield against Real Betis, he was flanked by Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, not […]

How Impressive Have Sunderland’s Powers Of Recovery Been Thus Far?

Alex Charlton says… Resilience is a trait that many teams at the bottom are lacking, but not Sunderland. At the end of last season, Régis Le Bris remained calm and measured despite a woeful run of form. Some may have called him stubborn but I think it highlighted his confidence and belief in the group. […]

On This Day (6th Nov 2013): Poyet “Happy” To Bring Bardsley Back Into The Sunderland Fold!

Following a fall-out with former manager Paolo Di Canio, Phil Bardsley’s Sunderland career looked to be in jeopardy. After being photographed lying on a casino floor swimming in money — along with publicly mocking Sunderland’s opening-day defeat to Fulham — it was difficult to see a way back for the former Manchester United defender. However, […]

Our Disappointment Shows How Far Sunderland Have Come

I think it sums up just how far Sunderland have come in such a short space of time that I sit here today writing this, feeling disappointed that Sunderland aren’t currently sat second in the Premier League table. Whilst a win over Everton would have taken us there, we had to settle for a draw, […]

These Are Exciting Times For Sunderland — Let’s Embrace Them!

I’ve seen some moans on social media and heard some bleating over the radio — but those people need to give their heads a wobble. They need to realise that all teams in this league are going to be good and we won’t be able to turn up and effortlessly turn anyone over.  I understand […]

The Inspirational Granit Xhaka Is Sunderland’s Man Of Steel

During my thirty-year love affair with Sunderland AFC, the list of Lads’ captains I could honestly describe as truly inspirational; players with whom you’d want to be in the trenches when the chips were down and the odds of success stacked against you isn’t exactly lengthy. Double promotion-winning skipper Kevin Ball was one. Steve Bould […]

On This Day (5th Nov 1960): A Damp Squib For Guy Fawkes Or A Crucial Juncture?

Eleven games without a win, equalling their worst ever run without a victory, the Lads went into this fixture under some pressure to get a result. Our opponents on this day were Bristol Rovers, languishing in the bottom third of Division Two but two points better off than us coming into this game. The Gas […]

2 Up, 2 Down: Honours Even As Sunderland Show Their Mettle Against Everton

Ciaran McKenna says… Granit Xhaka leads the way A great captain’s performance, dragging his team back into the game. He covered every blade of grass, won his tackles, and hardly misplaced a pass — and the goal was the cherry on top. He might’ve been fortunate with the deflection but take nothing away from the […]

MLS

Talking Points: Sunderland Fight Back To Deny Everton A Wearside Win

Fireworks, flags and fighting spirit! During those long, painful years in League One, would it be fair to say that nights like this are what we dreamed of as Sunderland fans? A packed, emotionally-charged Stadium of Light, the Sky Sports cameras in town, and a full-blooded, full-throttle affair made for quite a combination, with the […]

MLS

Matchday Musings: Sunderland Move Into Champions League Places

Last time Sunderland turned out in the league under the beaming bulbs of the Stadium of Light, a 123rd-minute Dan Ballard header sent the ground into raptures, and the club a step closer to a long-awaited return to the top flight. While the stakes, understandably, weren’t as high this time round, there is always that […]

Score Predictions: Can We Master Mr Moyes On Monday Night?

Martin Wanless predicts… Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Everton 1 Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Dan Ballard This feels like a game “old Sunderland” would lose. You know the one — returning pantomime villain, big crowd, etc etc. But this is different. We are different. ‘The Champion’ Malc Dugdale predicts… Score prediction: Sunderland 3 Everton 0 Sunderland’s first […]

Sunderland Greats: Paul Bracewell

Paul Bracewell was a player who amassed 268 appearances for Sunderland over three different spells. He was a key player in a red and white shirt in all of his stints at the club and in his first spell was one of the best midfielders we have had in the last 50 years.  Few have […]