Skip to main content

Roker Report

Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!

Total reads

4,561

This week

4

Rank

#31 of 426

Published

1,733 posts

Most read posts

Featured on Sportsblogs

Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.

Featured on Sportsblogs

Latest Entries

Enjoy the Ride – Sunderland’s World Is Changing

As I stood queuing outside the Stadium of Light club store on Friday morning, awaiting the release of Sunderland’s new away strip for the 2026/27 season, there was a delicious irony as a black cloud appeared and a bolt of lightning struck the banks of the River Wear – a reminder, perhaps, from Elvis Presley […]

So, We Meet Again!

The release of the new fixtures always creates excitement and eager anticipation for the coming season. That very first match, however, seems to carry a little extra interest, particularly when you remember that self-same fixture from the dim and distant past. I knew I had been to Portman Road in August, but couldn’t be sure […]

‘GhisolfiBall’: Using Data To Find Granit Xhaka’s Successor

With the World Cup in full swing, it’s easy to forget that silly season is upon us. With Florent Ghisolfi overseeing his first full transfer window at the helm, preaching “quality over quantity”, it’ll be interesting to see how the summer unfolds. I’m sure none of you have forgotten, but we have a European campaign […]

Kristjaan Speakman’s 10 Worst Sunderland Signings – Ranked

Former Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is headed to F.C. Copenhagen, and while the club wouldn’t have reached its current heights without him, there are plenty of misses in the list of 57 players signed during his four-and-a-half years in charge. Let’s take a look at the ones that haven’t made the grade. 10. Ahmed […]

Elvis Comeback Special – The Return Of Sunderland’s Football Pink

Rumours of a pink strip have been circulating on Wearside for a while now, and whilst supporters were understandably cautious given the unpopular reaction to past designs featuring that colour, the anticipation levels had still been growing ahead of the launch of 2026-27 change kit. First of all, club insiders spoke of the kit having […]

On This Day (26th June 2007): Roy Keane Chasing Deal For Striker David Nugent!

Roy Keane’s mission of assembling a competitive squad for Sunderland’s return to the Premier League was ramping up with a list of players now being linked with the club. Already arriving through the door were Reading defender Greg Halford along with Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson, with the club now linked with Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon […]

Can Wilson Knock On The ‘Dor For Sunderland Next Season?

Adam says… I believe he can be a useful asset going forward with the number of games, or he could be sold for a reasonable profit. His start to the season was brilliant and his end was still solid with his goalscoring record. He may want a tad more game time elsewhere — however, I’d […]

Kristjaan Speakman’s 10 Best Sunderland Signings – Ranked

Former Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is headed to F.C. Copenhagen, and the club wouldn’t have reached its current heights without him. Among the 57 players signed during his four-and-a-half years in charge, some weren’t just hits; they transformed the club. 10. (tie) Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor After a constant struggle up top since […]

MLS

The Hits Of Elvis Presley – Sunderland Style!

Heartbreak Hotel  We’ve checked in a few times over the years, but Charlton play off defeat in 1998 was the hardest to handle in the moment for me. Fortunately the following season compensated for it, but still…  An American Trilogy  Our American adventure almost started earlier with Brad Freidel, and again with Stuart Holden – […]

Haway The Podcast | AWAY KIT REACTION | Elvis Presley x Sunderland Collab Drops!

Sunderland’s Elvis Presley-inspired away kit for the 2026-27 season has finally been revealed, so Gav and Andrew got together to chat about it! All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show. Want to get in touch with us? You can drop us […]

Where Are They Now? The Academy prospects who left Sunderland

News broke last week that Liam Ogunsuyi, the 14-year-old younger brother of Trey, had been “deregistered” from Sunderland’s Academy, meaning he is now able to register with another club. Although Sunderland will be due compensation, it will be a pittance compared to his value should he make it to the Premier League in the future. […]

Sunderland’s Potential Summer Departures Part 2: Midfielders and Attackers

On Monday we looked into Sunderland’s potential departures from the defensive group. Today, we’re moving further up the pitch and looking at the midfield and attack. Which deadwood will be leaving, who may be going out on loan, as well as whether we can expect any high-profile departures. Midfield & Wingers Starting off in the […]

England, Ageing and the Slow Death of Tournament Magic

I’m 50. Physically, at least. That number comes as something of a shock when you realise you’re now officially edging into the category of “old”. My mind still insists I’m 18. My body, meanwhile, has appointed itself head of the opposition and submits regular evidence to the contrary. Some things definitely change as you get […]

On This Day (25 June 2003): “I’ll Be Back” Threatens Laslandes!

After the horrendous Howard Wilkinson-inspired relegation of 2003, we could have done with a Terminator to get rid of a few unwanted wages. As it was, we had some of our players demanding to be let go, or threatening us they’d return to the club! The whole thing was a mess at this point. Because […]

Chris Rigg And European Football: A True Sunderland Romance

At some stage during the 2026/2027 season, there’s a very good chance that Chris Rigg’s name will feature in a Sunderland matchday squad, and maybe even in the starting eleven, for one of our Europa League fixtures. Whether at home or away, and regardless of the opponent, it really won’t make a great deal of […]

Haway The Podcast | Q&A – PART 2 | Departures, Legends, Photos & Time Machines!

There were so many questions we needed a second part! We had some corkers for Andrew & Jonny to muse along with Chris! On today’s show… All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show. Want to get in touch with us? You […]

Sunderland Must Strike A Fair Balance With Their European Pricing

Sunderland AFC don’t tell you to expect the unexpected — it’s priced in with events on Wearside these days. The wider support are rightly not party to the internal workings of the club — the transfer targets, the deals that are close and the long-term ambitions. It’s understood that supporters just won’t see things coming: […]

Sliding Doors: Sunderland’s Alternative Timeline!

Since appointing Régis Le Bris two years ago this week, most Sunderland fans would agree the studious Frenchman has brought the good times to Wearside perhaps like nobody else before him — and at the very least, he’s firmly in the conversation alongside Peter Reid, Bob Stokoe and Mick Buxton. With football famously being a […]

Brian Brobbey Is Far More Than Just A Sunderland Cult Hero!

Brian Brobbey’s first season in the Premier League had Sunderland fans and Premier League defenders taking notice. It was the first time in a long time that I felt like our club had that talismanic, ‘cult hero’ striker. Of course, I loved the likes of Rosco in recent times, but it just feels different in […]

MLS

Brian Brobbey: Sunderland And The Netherlands’ Unstoppable Force!

On his first start for ‘Oranje’ at the 2026 World Cup, our terrific striker announced himself in what we’ve come to know as a ‘classic’ Brian Brobbey performance. Throughout the game, he highlighted the unique skill set he possesses — initiating contact, pinning defenders, perfect passing, linking play and showing a brilliant striker’s instinct in […]