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English Premier League Preview: Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
A bit dramatic, perhaps, to talk about relegation clashes so early in the season; but the Black Cats and the Baggies already have the look of teams who could spend much of this season teetering on the edge of the abyss.
BACKGROUND
After winning the Coca Cola Football League Championship in fine style last season, Sunderland find themselves back in the nightmare scenario they left when relegated in 2002-03 as the Premiership's least successful club (fewest goals, fewest wins, fewest points).
Sunderland left the top flight then on a low of 15 consecutive defeats and have begun this campaign with the “perfect†record of five defeats out of five.
They epitomise the gulf between the levels: a winning Championship club that overnight becomes a struggling Premiership outfit. The Black Cats are in danger of setting an unwanted record of the longest losing run from the start of a Premier League season (six matches). Defeat against West Brom on Saturday would also equal the previous worst start by a club in the top flight, set by Leicester City in 1983/84.
Already this is Sunderland's worst-ever start to a Premiership season, with no points out of a possible 15 and no goals in their last four games. Another defeat this weekend would extend the longest losing sequence in English top flight football to 21.
Manager Mick McCarthy has already been in charge for 14 successive Premiership League losses, and is desperate to avoid emulating Portsmouth's all-time top flight record run of 28 games without a win. Sunderland are currently just three winless matches shy of that landmark.
For McCarthy all this is a millstone around his neck. But at least his team are facing an Albion side who have lost their last three games and who are the only Premiership club whose "goals against" column shows double figures.
McCarthy said: "This was always going to be a big game because they are one of our perceived rivals. Five defeats does not make it any easier.
"Because of results we need a win. I would have expected something from our two previous home games.
"We need to get points on the board because if we get too far behind it will be very difficult."
No-one would argue with that, least of all Baggies' boss Bryan Robson, whose side defied gravity last season with a dramatic if unlikely last-day escape, keeping their heads with a win while all around them (Norwich, Southampton and Crystal Palace) were losing theirs.
That reprieve last May was a glorious cause for celebration in the Black Country, but the new season has offered little relief from the strain and tension of trying to survive among the elite.
Robson says: "We have conceded 10 goals in five matches and that is far too many, and we have to stop that situation because it's a problem.
"We can't take Sunderland lightly. I've seen videos of their games and they're playing with lots of endeavour and will want their first points of the season.
"They'll be a bit anxious and hopefully we can take advantage of that."
At least Albion are a point better off than they were at the same stage of last season, despite their recent results. They are looking for their first away win of the season, and have only won once on the road under Robson – at Charlton last March. That remains their only away win in 22 Premiership attempts stretching back to April 2003.
CURRENT FORM
Sunderland:
McCarthy's side won 29 matches and collected 94 points in winning the Championship seven points ahead of runners-up Wigan Athletic last season. But they are currently bottom with zero points in the Premiership. They are the only League club in England and Scotland still without a point.
Their last top flight victory was on 15 December 2002 when they beat Gerard Houllier's Liverpool 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. And they've lost 23 of their last 24 Premiership games, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 20.
West Bromwich Albion:
The Baggies are in 17th place with four points, having lost their last three against Chelsea (4-0 a), Birmingham (2-3 h) and Wigan (1-2 h). They hold the dubious distinction of never having won a Premiership match in which the opposition scored first, which might give Sunderland heart if they can manage an early goal. Albion are without a win in six Premiership away games, and have scored just one goal in four away League games.
TEAM NEWS
Sunderland: Defender Alan Stubbs has been declared fit after recovering from concussion, but Stephen Wright (knee), George McCartney (hamstring), Colin Healy (knee) and Kevin Kyle (hip cartilage) are all out of contention.
West Brom: Striker Geoff Horsfield is likely to miss out as he is struggling with a calf injury. He could be replaced by Robert Earnshaw or Diomansy Kamara. Zoltan Gera is back after dehydration, but Kanu is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
WATCH OUT FOR
Sunderland: Son of former Leeds and Forest left-back Frank, and nephew of ex-Leeds winger and manager Eddie, Andy Gray needs just two more goals to reach a career total of 50 League goals, scored for Leeds, Bury, Nottingham Forest, Preston, Oldham, Bradford City, Sheffield United and Sunderland.
West Bromwich Albion: Manager Robson seems reluctant to let him start, but even coming off the bench the Wales and former Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw makes things happen. His effervescent style can put defenders off their stride, and a combination of self-confidence and improvisational virtuosity makes him a dangerous opponent.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs:
Sunderland (from): Davis, Nosworthy, Hoyte, Breen, Stubbs, Arca, Whitehead, Miller, Bassila, Welsh, Stead, Elliott, Le Tallec, Gray, Lawrence, Robinson, Caldwell, Murphy, Alnwick.
West Brom (from): Kirkland, Kuszczak, Watson, Albrechtsen, Clement, Gaardsoe, Moore, Davies, Robinson, Gera, Carter, Chaplow, Wallwork, Inamoto, Greening, Kamara, Ellington, Campbell, Horsfield, Earnshaw.
Graham Lister
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