Sunderland AFC news RECAP: Reaction as Cats are handed QPR tie in Carabao Cup draw plus team news for Bolton Wanderers clash

Sunderland got back to winning ways on Tuesday night as Lee Johnson’s side overcame Wigan in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Black Cats have been handed another away tie in the next round and will face QPR in the last 16 of the competition next month.

For now, though, attention must turn back to the league campaign and Saturday’s home game against Bolton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Johnson’s side squandered a two-goal lead at Fleetwood in their last league fixture, as a 2-2 draw at Highbury Stadium saw them lose their top spot in League One.

Sunderland AFC live blog.Sunderland AFC live blog.
Sunderland AFC live blog.

Sunderland regained some momentum with that win at Wigan, though, and will now be hoping to go on another winning run as the games come thick and fast.

The Black Cats have another home game against Cheltenham on Tuesday before a trip to Portsmouth next weekend.

Here’s the latest SAFC news from the Stadium of Light:

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor

Sunderland AFC news RECAP (23 September)

Key Events

  • Sunderland are preparing for Saturday’s home game against Bolton in League One.
  • The Black Cats beat Wigan 2-0 in the Carabao Cup this week.
  • Lee Johnson’s side have been handed an away tie against QPR in the next round.
  • Nathan Broadhead has been speaking about his loan move to Sunderland from Everton.

Thanks for joining us today

We’re signing off from today’s blog but will have plenty more news, analysis and more on the SAFC section of the Echo website.

We’ll also be back bright and early tomorrow with our daily live blog and have live updates from Lee Johnson’s pre-match press conference at 1:30pm.

See you soon.

Bolton looking to make a statement

Bolton were beaten 2-0 at home by Rotherham last time out but midfielder MJ Williams says he’s looking forward to this weekend’s trip to the Stadium of Light.

“I think it will be a great game to go out and express ourselves,” Williams told The Bolton News.

“It’s a big stadium, usually a good atmosphere with loads of fans as well, and we’ll hopefully have a fair few there as well.

“It is a good one to concentrate on now and show how good we really are, make a statement.

“We are gutted about the Rotherham game but there’s a chance to turn it around, and with Charlton on Tuesday, we can get back on a roll pretty quickly.”

Phillips’ verdict on Sunderland’s start

Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips was a studio guest on the EFL’s highlights show on Quest last night.

He was asked about the Black Cats’ start to the season and was full of praise for Lee Johnson’s side.

“There’s a good feeling,” said Phillips. “I’ve been to the last two home games and the feeling around the place is very positive, it’s buzzing again.

“They have started the season exceptionally well and are through to the next round of the cup. The priority is the league of course.

“It’s Sunderland, I’m not going to get carried away but they’ve made the perfect start and have got competition in all places.

“They have made some really, really good signings and I’m excited to watch them for the rest of the season.”

Despite the result, Lee Johnson will be expected to recall most of the players who played at Fleetwood for this weekend’s game against Bolton.

Tom Flanagan is available again after missing the game at Highbury through suspension so is likely to partner Callum Doyle at the back.

Johnson may use next Tuesday’s home game against Cheltnham to rotate his starting XI.

We’ll get more team news when Johnson speaks to the media on Friday afternoon.

Here’s what the League One table looks like ahead of Saturday’s game against Bolton.

Wanderers sit eighth in the table following a 2-0 home defeat by Rotherham last time out.

Broadhead on SAFC loan move

Sunderland striker Nathan Broadhead spoke to the press after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win at Wigan.

The striker joined the Black Cats on loan from Everton this summer and has left the door open to staying on Wearside beyond this campaign.

Read the full interview HERE

A date for the diaries

So it’s QPR away in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

Lee Johnson’s side will face Rangers on the week commencing October 25, after Sunderland’s home game against Charlton and before a trip to Rotherham in League One.

QPR beat Everton 8-7 on penalties in the third round of the competition following a 2-2 draw at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Here’s the fourth-round draw in full:

Chelsea vs. Southampton

Arsenal vs. Leeds

Stoke City vs. Brentford

West Ham vs. Man City

Leicester vs. Brighton

Burnley vs. Tottenham

QPR vs. Sunderland

Preston vs. Liverpool

Another away tie for Sunderland then.

The Black Cats were drawn against to QPR in last night’s Carabao Cup draw, yet attentions must now turn back to the league and Saturday’s home game against Bolton.

‘We’ll have all the build-up ahead of the match as well as the latest Black Cats news and analysis throughout the day.

Stick around and refresh the page for live updates.