League One rivals scout Arsenal youth game as former Ipswich Town owner takes an interest in Championship club
By Joe Ramage
Published 11th Oct 2021, 11:48 BST
Updated 11th Oct 2021, 12:04 BST
Sunderland slipped to fourth in the League One table on Saturday after wins from Plymouth Argyle and Wycombe Wanderers.
The Black Cats were not in action due to a number of international call-ups and now sit a point below both Plymouth and Wycombe – albeit with games in hand.
Lee Johnson’s side return to League One action on Saturday when they travel to take on Steve Evans’ Gillingham but before that they return to Wearside in the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek with the visit of Manchester United’s U21’s.
The Black Cats began the defence of their Papa John’s Trophy with victory over Lincoln City last week thanks to goals from midfielder Dan Neil and a debut strike from Stephen Wearne.
And head coach Johnson is expected to name a similarly youthful side for the visit of the young Red Devils to the Stadium of Light.
But here we take a look around League One and what’s been happening over the last 24 hours.
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The Black Cats began the defence of their Papa John’s Trophy with victory over Lincoln City last week thanks to goals from midfielder Dan Neil and a debut strike from Stephen Wearne.
5. Lowe not getting carried away
There is a new name at the top of League One after Plymouth sealed victory over Burton Albion at Home Park on Saturday. Ryan Lowe’s side have made an excellent start to the campaign losing just one of their opening 12 games of the season as the Pilgrims continue to defy the odds in just their second season back at this level. But boss Lowe is keen not to get carried away at such an early stage. He told Plymouth Live: “It feels good, whether it’s for a short time or a long time – a month, a week, two weeks, whatever it is. We are up there for a reason because we deserve to be there. We are winning games of football and it means a lot to the club. But we can’t get too carried away. Yeah, we are top of the league for the time being. We have just got to keep working hard, keep doing the right things.” (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Davidson
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips believes the Black Cats could do a lot worse than to pursue the permanent signing of on loan Everton attacker Nathan Broadhead. The 23-year-old announced himself to the red and white army with a highly polished performance during the 5-0 win over Cheltenham recently where he also picked up an unfortunate hamstring injury. Broadhead scored his first goal for the club in the League Cup win over Wigan Athletic and Phillips has been impressed by what he has seen. “Sunderland will have one eye on signing him permanently,” the 48-year-old told Football Insider. “He is young and exciting. The fans have been crying out for a player like him. If there was an opportunity for Sunderland to do something, I’m sure they would look at it. He’s at a good age and his best years are in front of him. It’s definitely possible that they try and get him in on a permanent deal.”(Photo credit: Martin Swinney) Photo: Martin Swinney
Portsmouth’ chief executive Andy Cullen believes the possibility of supporters requiring proof of a double COVID-19 jab remains on the table before admitting it could cause chaos at stadiums around the country. Cullen told The News: 'The door still hasn’t closed on vaccination passports. Where we are it’s still very much part of the government’s plan B situation. In the event the government decides we’re moving to plan B, it means football at any stadium with more than 10,000 supporters will need to be double vaccinated or have a negative test to enter the stadium. You could imagine the chaos that might cause, in terms of getting people into the stadium. Is it going to be random checks and you check every sixth person, and they have to show proof? There’s a lot of questions still to be discussed on that run, and that is dialogue which is ongoing.” (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) Photo: Naomi Baker
Bolton will be without key defender Gethin Jones this weekend when they host rivals Wigan at the University of Bolton Stadium. Ian Evatt’s side have made a solid start to life back in League One including an impressive display at the Stadium of Light where they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat. The Trotters were beaten by another of League One’s big hitters on Saturday at Sheffield Wednesday where defender Jones picked up his fifth booking of the season. Jones has been an ever present so far this season but will have to sit out as neighbours Wigan make the short journey. The Latics could return to the top of the League One table with a win. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images) Photo: Charlotte Tattersall