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Roker Report

https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/ | 736 entries published

Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!

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On This Day (30th Dec 1893) Sunderland Get A Rare Run Out On This Date!

The vagaries of the Christmas footballing calendar mean that 30 December seldom sees Sunderland matches hosted — and it must be said that victories for the Lads on this date are even rarer. However, the first instance in 1893 was worthwhile, as Tom Watson’s side welcomed Bolton Wanderers to their Newcastle Road ground and finished […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Reflections On Leeds: Lessons To Be Learned For Sunderland

One of the main takeaways was the contrast in performance between the first and second half, but also during the game overall. In the first half, I thought we played quite well. For the first thirty minutes, we had a lot of the ball and used it quite nicely, putting some nice passages of play […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Dennis Cirkin: From League One Prospect To Premier League Starter

As the years have passed and Sunderland’s squad has been revamped, refitted and reshaped, many of the architects of those memorable seasons and moments that preceded our return to the Premier League; of League One playoff success, the freewheeling “play it your way, lads” Tony Mowbray era and to an extent our landmark 2024/2025 season […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months ago | 1 read

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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months ago | 0 reads