Sunderland have had a pretty solid start to life in League One this year and lie fourth in the current standings.
This weekend, they head to Valley Parade to face a Bradford City side hovering just above the relegation zone in the table.
Ahead of the clash, then, we caught up with Gary McLaughlin - editor of Sunderland blog wearewearside.com - to get his thoughts on the game...
With Bryan Oviedo now suspended how will Jack Ross reshuffle his pack?
It’s going to be an interesting team selection. Denver Hume was looking great at left back in Oviedo’s absence, but he’s injured which only leaves Reece James as a natural left back.
I suspect he will put faith in James, not least because the other alternatives would include playing Alim Ozturk which we could all do without. I don’t think the team will change much otherwise.
Both Jerome Sinclair and Josh Maja got on the scoresheet last time out against Peterborough - can you see them both staying in the side against Bradford?
It would be harsh to drop either. Maja is a real talent. His link-up play is a bit laboured and raw at times, but you’d be pushed to find a better natural finisher outside of the Premier League. It’s very noticeable that Jermain Defoe spent some time with him.
Jerome Sinclair caused havoc all game and with his pace, particularly away from home, he could be a key outlet to help us get off the back foot (which we’ve so often found ourselves in the opening periods of matches). It all depends on how attacking Jack Ross wants to go, but it would be Sinclair who gets dropped if any do.
Bradford have just one win in their last seven - coming last time out - how do Sunderland guard against complacency?
We’ve got to trust that we have the better team and make things tough for Bradford early in the game. We’ve looked our worst when trying to be compact at the start of matches because we’re not great defensively, we’ve got to try and exert dominance from the off.
Lee Cattermole missed the Posh game through suspension. Does he come straight back in for this one this weekend?
Absolutely. It looked like the end of his Sunderland career in the summer yet now he is one of our best players. He and Max Power make a great midfield partnership.
Jack Baldwin and Tom Flanagan played at centre-half against Peterborough. With certain players injured/missing, can you see Ross pressing on with the pair or does someone like Alim Ozturk deserve a shot?
Ha, I mentioned Ozturk earlier. I’ve seen him a few times and each time he has looked like the worst centre-back I’ve ever seen. I support Sunderland - I’ve seen my fair share of pitiful centre-backs!
Jack Baldwin is a quality player, Tom Flanagan felt a very natural partner for him against Peterborough. I wouldn’t be surprised if this partnership stayed together for the foreseeable even when Glen Loovens returns.
Score prediction
Play like we did on Tuesday (and keep 11 men!) and Bradford won’t have an answer. I think we’ll win 2-0.
For more Sunderland news and opinion, head to wearewearside.com