What Tony Mowbray said about Kyril Louis-Dreyfus comments, Ross Stewart, transfers and Birmingham fixture
and live on Freeview channel 276
Following the Championship’s midweek results, Sunderland have slipped to 17th in the table with just one game left before the World Cup break.
Mowbray will hope to have several players available again when the season resumes in December following multiple injury setbacks.
It won’t be easy for Sunderland against a Birmingham side which has lost just one of eight matches in recent weeks.
Here’s what was said at the Academy of Light as Mowbray spoke to the media:
RECAP: Tony Mowbray press conference
Key Events
- Sunderland are preparing to face Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Friday (8pm kick-off).
- Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray held his pre-match press conference earlier today.
- Sunderland have dropped to 17th in the Championship table.
- Birmingham are 10th following a 2-2 draw with Swansea on Tuesday.
Good Morning!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Tony Mowbray’s pre-match press conference.
The Sunderland boss will be speaking to the media at 12:15pm ahead of Friday’s trip to Birmingham.
It will be the Black Cats’ final fixture before the World Cup break, with their next match falling on December 3.
We’ll have live updates from the Academy of Light.
Team news
We’ll start with the Sunderland team news.
Luke O’Nien will miss Friday’s game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Cardiff, resulting in a one-match suspension.
Sunderland will also be without several first-team players due to injury setbacks, including Daniel Ballard, Aji Alese, Lynden Gooch, Edouard Michut and Ross Stewart.
The aforementioned players are expected to be available after the World Cup break, while Stewart and Gooch have been pictured on the Academy of Light training pitches this week.
Ellis Simms started his first game for over a month against Cardiff on Saturday after recovering from a toe issue.
We should get a full injury update from Mowbray in today’s press conference.
Running late
Looks like the Black Cats boss is running late following this morning’s training session.
We’ll have live updates when he gets here.
Is there an advantage not playing in midweek?
“I think there is a lot of talk about how much football is played.
“I think when I watch Birmingham the way they play is very intense, high intensity and high pressure. Whether they can replicate what they do week in, week out.
“Does it give us an advantage? Not really. We will play the way we will play and they might adapt the way they play.
“Someone said to me this morning that their manager has made some comments about the schedule.
“It’s modern day football and you can moan all you want, the schedule is the schedule. Clubs get financial advantages by playing these games on the TV so we just have to get on with it.”
Mowbray on the break
“I think it will do the injured players really good because they are not missing football matches and are getting closer to fitness.”
Injuries news
“There are lots. Not that I can tell you about though.
“The one positive that I can mention is that Niall Huggins is back on the grass, played for the under-21s at St James’ Park the other week.
“He’s back now training with the first team and, as he’s been coming back to the first team, has been training with the 21s so the intensity levels have been a bit easier for him.
“He has been training with the first team and will be on the coach travelling with us to Birmingham.”
Mowbray on recruitment
“We have had conversations and know which areas we would like to strengthen.
“At this moment I haven’t seen the list that the recruitment department are putting together. I don’t know the levels of financial support there will be to sign the players we want to sign.
“I’m sure them moments are coming
“We have had one meeting and identified which positions we would like to strengthen the team positionally.“
Mowbray on Birmingham
“I think watching them, my Blackburn team played against them for the last five years. They look like a team with an identity. Front foot, high press.
“Out of possession I think they are 23rd in the league so they are not really interested in having the ball but are very good at taking it off you.
“We have to be ready for that and know what’s coming.”
Will Ross Stewart be back after the break?
“Possibly. It would be nice.
“I think it’s nice to see Ellis back with his boots on and has had three or four appearances now.
“I think he’s still way short of match fitness that is required to make a big impact on the team other than from the substitutes bench.
“I think we saw on saturday without being critical of him, it’s hard to get to the intensity levels at the start of a football match, as opposed to coming on at 60 minutes and he can come on and make a big impact as he did.
“He is going to need some games to get up to speed and potential Ross might find the same scenario. I would hope after this World Cup break he will be back training with the team and we can build him up to what is required.”
Mowbray on World Cup call-ups for Wright and Bennette
“I’ve spoken to them both and wish them well.
“They are both playing for countries with tough groups but their aspirations are probably to enjoy the experience and make your country proud.
“Obviously Bailey there is every chance there won’t be another chance for him to play at a World Cup.
“For Bailey it is amazing and good timing that he’s been able to get back in the team, and I hope he can impact his national team.
“I think he has Mbappe to play against so good luck to him!
“Jewison is a young boy with talent and good attributes. It will be an amazing experience for him I think and he should go along and enjoy it.
“He has Spain and Germany in his group. Wow! Go and enjoy it and do your country proud.”