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Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 Real Betis - Some decent play, but Lads lose We might have lost to Real Betis, but there were plenty of positives to take from a decent run out against strong opposition. Here’s how Andy rated the Lads…

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 We might have lost to Real Betis, but there were plenty of positives to take from a decent run out against strong opposition. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24243541

Andy’s Player Ratings: Hull 2-1 Sunderland — Pre-Season Loss on Humberside Simon Adingra scored his first goal in Sunderland colours but it wasn’t enough, as the Lads lost to Hull at the MKM Stadium. Here’s how Andy rated the Lads!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Simon Adingra scored his first goal in Sunderland colours but it wasn’t enough, as the Lads lost to Hull at the MKM Stadium. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24240848

Der Xhaka-Abschied: Den Sunderland-Schnitt bekam er beim Borussia-Friseur Granit Xhaka hat den Medizin-Check absolviert, wechselt nach England. Was ihn in Sunderland erwartet, welche Perspektive es für seine Zukunft gibt.

'Granit Xhaka has signed a 3-year deal with Sunderland, for a fee of €20m, this has been confirmed in writing. The only qualification he's missing is the UEFA Pro Licence, it seems possible that he'll join Sunderland's coaching staff after his playing career' #SAFC

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Andy’s Player Ratings: Hearts 3-0 Sunderland - Lads brushed aside in Craig Gordon’s testimonial Regis Le Bris’ team could not cope with a sharper and more physical home team - here’s how Andy rated the lads...

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Regis Le Bris’ team could not cope with a sharper and much more physical home team. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24238889

Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 Sporting Lisbon — Plenty of positives in defeat Despite losing, Sunderland gave fans plenty of positives to take out of their performance against Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. Here’s how Andy rated the Lads!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Despite losing, Sunderland gave fans plenty of positives to take out of their performance against Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24235679

Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-1 Sevilla - Good run out against Sevilla as game ends all square Enzo Le Fee gave Sunderland a one goal lead but Sevilla equalise with the last kick of the game - here’s how Andy rated the lads!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 A good run out in the heat against Sevilla ends all square. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24234607

Andy’s Player Ratings: South Shields 0-4 Sunderland — Lads get off to a winning start! Goals from Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle, Milan Aleksic & Ahmed Abdullahi got Sunderland off to a winning start in pre-season with a comfortable victory away at South Shields. Here’s how Andy rated th...

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Goals from Isidor, Mundle, Aleksic & Abdullahi got Sunderland off to a winning start in pre-season with a comfortable victory at South Shields. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24230298

Sunderland linked with a move for Amad’s brother A report in Italy claims Sunderland are interested in Bournemouth midfielder Hamed Traore

A report in Italy claims Sunderland are interested in Bournemouth midfielder Hamed Traore — the brother of Amad!
@rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24222251

Sunderland ‘make offer’ for Club World Cup star Reports in Spain claim Sunderland have made an offer for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia.

Reports in Spain claim Sunderland have made an offer for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia.
@rokerreportsafc.bsky.social
// #SAFC

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The curious case of the lost Stadium of Light artwork! RR’s Andy Tomlinson delves into the archives to unearth some fascinating yet never-realised exhibits that might’ve once sat outside our home stadium!

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗦 We’re all familiar with the statues that sit proudly outside the Stadium of Light, but did you know that the installation of some more daring exhibits was once considered? @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24214756

TRANSFER NEWS: Is Sunderland midfielder Milan Aleksic set for a return home? Reports in Milan Aleksic’s homeland claim he’s set to sign for Partizan Belgrade on loan.

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 Reports in Milan Aleksic’s homeland claim he’s set to sign for Partizan Belgrade on loan. @RokerReport // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24215003

According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland are one of four clubs (Burnley, Betis and Real Sociedad being the others) interested in Aston Villa left back Alex Moreno, who is available for €6m. #SAFC

Report claims Sunderland are set to make €20m bid for highly-rated Ukrainian striker Reports in Ukraine claim that Sunderland are set to make a €20m bid for Dynamo Kyiv’s highly-rated striker Vladyslav Vanat this summer.

€𝟮𝟬𝗠 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗖 𝗕𝗜𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚? Reports in Ukraine claim that Sunderland are set to make a €20m bid for a highly rated Dynamo Kyiv striker this summer. @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24209809

Roker Roundup: Sunderland ‘pushing’ to sign 26-year-old Malian star; Aleksic attracts interest Reports claim Sunderland have lodged a €5m bid for a Mali international defender, whilst Milan Aleksic is apparently attracting interest from a former club.

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦! Reports claim Sunderland have lodged a €5m bid for a Mali international defender, whilst Milan Aleksic is apparently attracting interest from a former club. @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24208524

At one level of Sunderland's recruitment/sales there's a focus on Bellingham and a few others. At another level, the buy-young model seems set to continue with Matthew Burns, 16 year-old midfielder at Irish League club Coleraine. Expected to be the latest acquisition for the Cat. One academy.

Roker Roundup: ‘Henderson will return to Sunderland’, Mexican international linked & New Away Kit Leaked Sunderland’s new away kit for 2025/26 has been leaked; Jordan Henderson "will return to Sunderland" according to reports; a mexican international has been linked, & a Mayenda clause has been triggered...

𝗥𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗣 Sunderland’s new away kit for 2025/26 has been leaked; Jordan Henderson “will return to Sunderland” according to reports; a Mexican international has been linked, & a Mayenda clause has been triggered. @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24203011

Been a shit decade for us but today makes up for all of it! My head is spinning

Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 2-1 Sheff Utd - Promoted to the Premier League! Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson score as we beat Sheffield United to clinch promotion - here’s how Andy rated the lads!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Unbelievable! Tommy Watson scores the winner to clinch a Premier League return! Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24200432

I was extremely annoyed when the Watson transfer came out, the timing was very poor but who cares now???? The lad has done it!

WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!

‘Dynamo Kyiv striker on Sunderland’s shortlist’ Reports in Ukraine claim Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat is on Sunderland’s radar

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦! Reports in Ukraine claim Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat is on Sunderland’s radar. ⬇️ @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24198844

Might have just wrapped up getting a stand named after him too!

Can't imagine a performance that would deserve it more!

Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-1 Coventry City - Ballard heroics send the lads to Wembley! Unbelievable scenes as Dan Ballard scores the winner with the last kick of the game, here’s how Andy rated the lads!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Unbelievable scenes as Dan Ballard scores the winner with the last kick of the game! Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24193528

I don't know what to say about that, my head is still spinning! We looked devoid of ideas for so long but woke up just in time to win it. Those two Ballard performances might be the best back to back games any Sunderland player has had.

Anyway....

HHAHHAAAWWWWWAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!

I think overall we're better suited to the high press and flooding the opposition box, like we did very early in the season but that style would probably be suicidal in the Prem and also leads to injuries.

That was a hell of an effort and although it might not be a style that completely fits our players, it was a typical European away leg type performance. Soak up pressure and hit on the counter when the opportunity arises.

Great team performance and Ballard was immense.

Andy’s Player Ratings: Coventry 1-2 Sunderland — Isidor & Mayenda give us a big advantage GET IN THERE! Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda scored either side of a Jack Rudoni header to give Sunderland the advantage going into Tuesday’s second leg. Here’s how Andy rated the Lads!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 GET IN THERE! Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda scored either side of a Jack Rudoni header to give Sunderland the advantage going into Tuesday’s second leg. Here’s how I rated the Lads... @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24191053

We've changed our style of play to one that makes it easier to play against us. What happened to full team, high press and the countering at speed? It's all so slow and passive, in and out of possession.

So little time to do anything about it as well, will be a miracle if we are suddenly sharp for the play offs.

Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 QPR - Yet another defeat as play offs loom large Sunderland ended the regular season with five straight defeats but will look forward to the play offs, here’s how Andy rated the lads...

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 Sunderland ended the regular season with five straight defeats but will look forward to the play offs. Here’s how I rated the Lads. @rokerreportsafc.bsky.social // #SAFC
www.sbnation.com/e/24186966