Ben Garner offers his verdict on Sunderland and highlights the key to Bristol Rovers claiming victory

Ben Garner believes that his Bristol Rovers side will have to deal with Sunderland’s intensity if they are to come away with three points from the Stadium of Light.
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The Gas travel to Wearside in this afternoon’s League One opener have beaten the Black Cats in their last third tier fixture – with the two having played in the final fixture before football was suspended in March.

And while hailing the ‘good squad’ at Phil Parkinson’s disposal, Garner is confident that his side will prove a stern opponent.

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Indeed, the Bristol Rovers boss believes second balls could hold the key to leaving the North East with three points.

Bristol Rovers manager Ben GarnerBristol Rovers manager Ben Garner
Bristol Rovers manager Ben Garner

"Sunderland are a very good team, they have a good squad and are a huge club in the division,” said Garner.

"They play with very good intensity and we know that second balls are going to be very important tomorrow and being able to control those at both ends of the pitch are going to be a key part of the game.

"We’ve prepared as fully as we can we’re looking forward to the challenge. For a first league game, it’s a great game and one that you look forward to. The players are all in a good place and looking forward to the challenge.”

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The game will be played in front of an empty Stadium of Light on Saturday, as opposed to the usual attendance of around 30,000.

But Garner doesn’t feel this will adversely affect Sunderland.

"I don’t think so to be honest, it’s played on the pitch,” he said, when quizzed on whether the lack of support would hinder the Black Cats.

“The fans are passionate there, and I’ve got to be careful what I say, but the only influence I think they do have is sometimes on how the game is run (by the officials).

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“They won’t have that coming down onto the pitch, but we’ve got to focus on what happens on the pitch.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’ve prepared properly and we perform across that 90 minutes or however long it is, focusing on our jobs and our professionalism to go there and get a result.”

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