Is this the start of a stunning turnaround?
If you told Sunderland supporters that within a week of Lee Johnson walking through the door they’d score four unanswered goals, they’d have laughed in your face.
Although Johnson tasted defeat in his first game against Wigan, they bounced back in devastating fashion to utterly demolish Lincoln 4-0 last weekend.
All of a sudden, there is fresh positivity surrounding the Black Cats, something that has been far too infrequent over the last five or so years.
A clash against 14th place Wimbledon on Tuesday will be an interesting one and it is unlikely Johnson will make too many changes considering the previous result.
That being said, we’re tipping him to make one this evening.
The only change from Saturday’s win over the Imps is Aiden McGeady dropping out. The Irishman still hasn’t played a great deal of football since being drafted back into the senior side and like he was at Oldham, could be rested.
The tricky 5 ft 11 winger claimed an assist against Lincoln but so did Chris Maguire when Sunderland beat Oldham in the Papa John’s trophy last week.
Consequently, Maguire gets another run-out and an opportunity to prove himself. Johnson also has a big decision to make on Jack Diamond, someone we think should get the nod again.
He has been superb since the new head coach walked through the door and ran Lincoln ragged last time out, scoring and completing two dribbles.
Denver Hume, Luke O’Nien and Lynden Gooch are all still injured so it’s Callum McFadzean who starts once again on the left-hand side of the defence.
The midfield looked sturdy on Saturday so the usual trio of Josh Scowen, Grant Leadbitter and Max Power all start from the off.
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