Cats can't use Rovers pitch as an excuse ahead of Pompey clash

Sunderland’s away game at Tranmere Rovers tomorrow is quickly followed by another away game at Portsmouth, two games against teams with so much to play for at either ends of the table.

Sunderland’s biggest win of this season came against

Tranmere, that five goal thrashing in Phil Parkinson’s second game in charge before it all went horribly wrong, then all came good again before that set back against Doncaster - it is always a rollercoaster with Sunderland, isn’t it?

The surface at Prenton

Park is not the greatest so the Sunderland players simply have to adapt, be professional and not use it as an excuse if the result doesn’t go to plan, it is the same for both sides.

Tranmere have had a demanding schedule in the FA Cup this past week, so that should work to Sunderland’s advantage.

Hopefully, Sunderland will then travel to Portsmouth on the back of a good result against Tranmere Rovers because this could be one of the toughest games of the season.

This season hasn’t gone exactly to plan for Pompey, they started slowly, losing at the Stadium of Light in August but have steadily improved and I expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Two tough games for Sunderland are coming up on the horizon.

One against a team fighting for their lives in League One on a difficult, energy-sapping pitch, the other against another big club that shouldn’t be in this division and the two teams’ recent history almost guarantees a lively encounter.

So, these next two days are going to be massive for Sunderland’s success or failure this season.