Roker Report
Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!
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Sunderland Women 0–3 Bristol City: A Disheartening Afternoon in the South West
There are defeats that sting, defeats that frustrate, and defeats that leave you staring at the pitch long after the final whistle, wondering how a team with so much potential can unravel so quickly. Sunderland’s 3–0 loss away to Bristol City falls firmly into that last category. It wasn’t just the scoreline, nor even the […]
On This Day (1st Feb 1969) Sunderland Survivors Draw On Energy Reserves
Having returned to club towards the end of the 1967-68 season and brought about a much-needed improvement in results, Sunderland manager Alan Brown soon found the going to be much tougher once his first full campaign back at the helm got underway. 12 months on from replacing the at times unpopular Ian McColl, ‘Bomber’s’ initial […]
Fan Letters: Dan Neil Exit and Talbi’s Role at Sunderland
Do you want to have your say on something Sunderland-related? Drop us an email and we’ll include your thoughts in the next edition of Fan Letters! You can reach us on: [email protected] Dear Roker Report, I note with interest that some fans on here and other social media say the club should have done more […]
Sunderland Lost Their Heads — Temporary Blip, Or Something More?
Ian Bendelow says… Only the Burnley match will provide a clear answer to the question. It is a concern, though, because it is a complete departure from the traits the squad has shown throughout the season. Composure, organisation, professionalism. A rancid first half showing, Granit Xhaka offering some lame-brained helmet of a West Ham fan […]
On This Day (31st Jan 2015): Defoe Gets Off The Mark In A Sunderland Shirt!
In a victory that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet described as ‘much needed’, new Sunderland signing Jermain Defoe got off the mark for his new club after his January move from Toronto FC. Sunderland had been struggling for goals throughout the season where they had become quite the draw specialists and the club knew that something […]
From Last Season’s Team to Premier League Reality – A Look Back
With the current transfer window seemingly being used to ship players surplus to requirements, the news that Aji Alese has joined Portsmouth on loan prompted me to take a look at a typical team from last season and see how they have fared this year. To do this, I dipped into my box of programmes […]
Haway The Podcast | NEWS ROUNDUP | Will Sunderland Spring A Surprise In The Transfer Window?
We’re heading not only towards the Burnley game, but also the end of the January Transfer window – so, Gav caught up with Jonny and Bomber for a chat about the latest goings on at Sunderland! Coming up: All of this and much more – get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss […]
Haway The Podcast | OPPO PREVIEW | Have Burnley Lost All Hope Of Staying Up?!
We have a free weekend this week and it’s because we play in front of the cameras on Monday night as we entertain Premier League strugglers Burnley and we caught up with Joe Redmond from TurfCast to find out if they still have any hope of staying up this year! All of this and more […]
Will Régis Go For It When Sunderland Take On Burnley?
Jon Guy says… I don’t think there will be a major change in thinking. He will set the team up to win and I expect to see a lot more from the team in terms of application on Monday. The big question is who does he put in to replace Xhaka. Diarra and Talbi need […]
Transfer Window Calm – Trusting Sunderland’s Smart Approach
The transfer window closes on Monday 2 February 2026 — in less than 100 hours as I am writing this piece. So far Sunderland have only signed the promising Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, for a very modest fee. It appears that the recruitment team snatched the young prospect from right under the noses of […]
Should Sunderland Look To Replace Dan Neil In January?
With Dan Neil gone, the Sunderland bench will look very short of midfielders come the Burnley game. So given the lack of options available to Régis Le Bris in order to change a game or cover injuries, do we need to bring in another midfielder during the transfer window? You could argue that we were […]
On This Day (30 Jan 1957): League & FA Team Up To Investigate Sunderland Finances
Most Sunderland supporters are acquainted with Mr Smith. Regardless of age, you know the name, because Mr Smith, to this day, is inextricably linked to the club’s shift from top-flight elite, The Team of all the Talents, and ‘The Bank of England Club’ to a yo-yo club bouncing between second and first divisions, and occasionally […]
Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland u18 3 (4) – 3 (3) West Brom – 9 Man Black Cats Through In Thriller
Joe Cowan: 10/10 Made some fantastic saves throughout, brilliantly tipped over two goal bound efforts, one in each half, and stopped a shot with his feet when a striker was through on goal. Made a world class save in injury time when a goal looked certain and made a good attempt at the penalty. Looked […]
Haway The Podcast | TRANSFER PREDICTIONS | What Might Happen Before The Window Closes?!
The window is about to slam shut just an hour before we kick-off against Burnley and Andrew & Ant join Chris to go through and attempt to predict what might happen! Coming up on today’s show… All of this and more – get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never have to miss another […]
Talking Tactics: Sunderland’s Bold Experiment Flops at West Ham
Following on from their victory against Crystal Palace, Sunderland returned to the capital for the third away game in a row to face a West Ham side renewed with confidence following a last-minute winner from Callum Wilson the week prior. With Granit Xhaka a confirmed fitness doubt for at least the next fortnight, for the […]
Cirkin’s Muscled His Way Into Sunderland Contention
I have to admit that when Sunderland signed two experienced international left-backs in the summer, I thought it would be curtains (sorry, not a pun, despite his hairstyle) for Dennis Cirkin. He’s a player I’ve really fallen in love with over the years and I’ve really enjoyed watching his journey from being a League One […]
Aji At The Crossroads: What Will The Future Hold For Alese?
Aji Alese has had quite a strange time on Wearside. We signed him for a reported £500,000 from West Ham in the summer of 2022, and although no one knew anything about him, I think we all had high hopes. He’d made just four senior appearances before joining us, but the club saw his talent […]
On This Day (29 Jan 2012): Campbell Gets Back Amongst The Goals!
During a game where Sunderland were largely second best against local rivals Middlesbrough, the greatest joy came from the fact that Frazier Campbell scored on his return to the team after eighteen months out injured. Campbell had been extremely unfortunate since joining Sunderland, with a stop-start feel ensuring that supporters only saw glimpses of what […]
Haway The Podcast | THANK YOU, DAN NEIL | A Tribute To A Sunderland Icon
As news of Dan Neil’s inevitible departure from Sunderland AFC reached us, Gav, Chris and Andrew reacted to hearing that our former skipper was headed for pastures new, joining Championship promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town. Coming up on today’s show… All of this and more – get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never have […]
On This Day (28 Jan 1981) Bowyer Makes Debut in Manchester United Cracker!
Sunderland came into this game in 16th position in the league and in need of points against Dave Sexton’s evolving Manchester United. United had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest the previous Saturday and arrived looking to make a quick recovery. Sunderland had sought some cup relief from their […]
Dan Neil Departs on Loan – A Fond Sunderland Farewell
The news we were all expecting finally arrived today when the club announced that former team captain Dan Neil was leaving to join Ipswich Town on loan, until his contract ends at the end of the season. There he will be reunited with former Sunderland winger Jack Clarke. Since promotion, there has been a lot […]
Dan Neil Leaves A Red And White Legacy To Be Proud Of
After writing regularly about Dan Neil for four years and quite possibly boring Roker Report readers senseless in the process, this could very well be the last article I pen in praise of him, therefore I have zero intention of holding back or trying to be subtle. Why? Because I love him as a footballer. […]
Thanks For The Memories, Dan — Good Luck Messages From Lads Fans
John Wilson says… I remember seeing him ping his first goal for us at the Stadium of Light and running over to the section where his family was, and where he used to stand as a young supporter — a great memory for Dan and for us. He developed into being a proud product of […]
Quick Thoughts: Reaction As Dan Neil Leaves Sunderland — The Right Decision?
The boy who lived out the dream of every Sunderland supporter, Dan Neil, has finally left the club to join Ipswich Town on loan before his contract expires in the summer. What a ride it has been. Only two SAFC supporters have ever led out a winning Sunderland team at Wembley, and Dan Neil is […]
Haway The Podcast | HAWAY THE Q&A | What Will Sunderland Do Before Deadline Day?
After a defeat on Saturday, an injury to Granit Xhaka and the transfer deadline looming, there’s a packed mailbag to get through today! Join Martin, Gav and Andrew as they attempt to answer all of your questions. On today’s agenda: This episode contains a promotion for MedExpress. Visit MedExpress.co.uk to check your eligibility and get 30% off […]
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