The last time The Imps hosted today’s opponents Sunderland at Sincil Bank was on Saturday 5th October 2019, in front of a crowd of 10,264, including 1,833 away supporters. The Imps won 2-0 that day, thanks to two Tyler Walker goals (17′ and 59′). In between the two goals, in the 51st minute, Walker also hit the post from the penalty spot.
Ahead of today’s match, we have done a Q&A with two Sunderland supporters, so thank you to Damian from Roker Report and Gary from We Are Wearside for answering our questions. The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, press “Click here for the second set of answers!” at the bottom right of the page, or click HERE.
If you would like to get involved with the conversation on 100% Imps, you can join our Lincoln City v Sunderland Match Thread! We have also published a Lincoln City v Sunderland Quiz, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
First up, the answers provided by Damian:
How long have you supported Sunderland?
Since I was 6, so 25 years now.
Where did you finish last season?
8th, based on that anti-football travesty that was PPG.
What are your thoughts on appointing Lee Johnson as your new manager?
Hopeful. He has a track record of promoting youth and, when coupled with the Sporting Director appointment and new approach we’re going for, should fit in well going forward.
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?
Promotion is my hope. My expectation is a difficult, heavy transition from the model that brought us to this level and the model we now want to implement to get away from it. I would be shocked if we aren’t still in League One next season.
One(s) to watch?
Chris Maguire, Jack Diamond, Aiden McGeady, perhaps, if he’s got the petrol in him. I wouldn’t worry about any of our strikers as the only thing about them that’s remotely threatening is the title of their position.
Which teams you think will finish in the top six in League One?
I don’t expect drastic change from those already in and around the top spots, but it is early days. Anyone from 16th upwards is in the mix. Hull, yourselves, Portsmouth. I wouldn’t think they’ll drop out of the promotion spots. But it is a long old season.
Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?
Same story, just going down instead of up. Wigan and Shrewsbury seem cut adrift but half a dozen teams could be dragged into the mire.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
I’m both excited and reluctant to play you. Reluctant because we’ve struggled against some of the worst teams in the League so far and Lincoln are one of the better teams here, but excited because the new manager is steadily involving dynamic young players and we’re currently something of an unknown quantity. The Sunderland that existed just two weeks ago is gone.
What do you think the score will be?
There will be goals. That is all I know.
Random fact about your Club?
“The Black Cats” is a terrible moniker that most Sunderland fans reject. It was forced upon us for the sake of commercial appeal – which didn’t really work – and we would all much rather simply be called “Mackems”.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
Lewis Montsma. Frankly, anyone that can convert more than 50% of their shots to goals is 1000x better than any of our strikers.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Sunderland supporter?
My proudest moments are witnessing Sunderland fans uniting for good causes, and we’ve seen that countless times over the years. The money we’ve raised for the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen both last Christmas and so far in this year’s drive is staggering and heartwarming in equal measure. Conversely, my most embarrassing moment following the club is probably watching something like David Moyes – an arsehole of a man- hand John Terry – a total arsehole of a man – a big send-off by kicking the ball out of play in the 26th minute during a match. Sod John Terry, sod David Moyes and sod Chelsea, and I’m being nice when I use those words. Embarrassing.
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
Josh Scowen is probably our most underrated player at the moment, or he at least plays in a very understated role that allows him to move about without much attention.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
We do not. A fan group called “Red and White Army” ostensibly act in a similar capacity and have plans to convert to a Supporters Trust, but what they can actually achieve for the fans or the club is yet to be demonstrated.
Which was your favourite match involving Sunderland?
Smashing the scum up the road 3-0 and watching Paolo Di Canio knee-slide in front of their fans.
Which was your least favourite match involving Sunderland?
The play-off final two seasons ago, losing out to Charlton with a bundled fluke of a goal at the death.
Do you have a Former Players Association at Sunderland?
We do. They ensure that long-retired Sunderland players have to pay for as few drinks as possible.
What is the best thing about Sunderland?
The food, baby. There’s nothing quite like a pork dip with peas pudding, even if it is impossible to hold and therefore flies in the face of everything it means to be a sandwich.
Are there any parts of the game you prefer in League One than the Premier League?
Not particularly. Most of the grounds are tiny, the away allocations (pre-pandemic) were torrid for a club that can easily call on 20k travelling fans on a bad day, and every game is a gentle reminder of how low we’ve sunk.
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Sunderland Quiz below:
The second set of answers:https://t.co/ijNgthLz5s#ImpsAsOne #SAFC #HawayTheLads pic.twitter.com/gItDfNYXIM
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln1) December 12, 2020
