Frantic February fixtures could give Black Cats hopes big boost
BLACK CATS FOCUS
Sunderland’s automatic promotion bid got back on track with a much-needed victory over AFC Wimbledon.
The Black Cats moved up a place into fourth after the 1-0 win, nine points behind League One leaders Luton Town but with three games in hand.
Sunderland face a demanding February with a further five league fixtures, though four of those fixtures are against teams in the bottom half of the table.
We examine the February run. season Grigg scored a hattrick in a 7-0 win and team mate Max Power scored two. Arguably the hardest of the February games, Blackpool visit the Stadium of Light next week.
The Seasiders have had a decent season so far currently sitting eighth in the table.
Unbeaten in four games, Blackpool drew their last game at home 2-2 against Wycombe.
The club have also boosted their attacking options by signing Newcastle youngster Elias Sorensen on loan, the Dane started up front for The Magpies Under 23’s side against Sunderland earlier this year in the Checkatrade Trophy Round of 16 fixture.
The Gills could have lost their top scorer to Sunderland as Tom Eaves was linked with a move on deadline day.
The powerful striker, in his first game after the window closed, scored a 92nd minute equaliser for Gillingham in a 1-1 draw away at Coventry.
Gillingham are struggling for form this season and are currently one point above the relegation zone in 19th. The final league game of the month takes place at the Memorial Stadium, a ground Sunderland will have to visit twice in the space of a few weeks. The other time in the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final.
Rovers are just a place above the relegation zone in 20th and have two games to play before Sunderland visit. Midfielder Ollie Clarke is the hosts top scorer but has only 4 goals to his name, a clear factor in their struggles this season.
In an attempt to combat the goalscoring troubles Rovers signed a new striker on deadline day. Jonson Clarke Harris joined from Coventry, a striker who still only managed 5 goals in 27 games for the Sky Blues this term.