Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray gives verdict on Stoke City ahead of weekend clash

Sunderland head to Stoke City in the Championship this weekend.

Author:
Luke Phelps
Publish date:
Oct 19, 2023 1:17 PM EDT

Sunderland head to Stoke City in the Championship this weekend, where they face a familiar name in Alex Neil.

More than a year has passed since Neil left Sunderland for Stoke City.

Many thought it to be something of a downgrade at the time, and that remains the case with Stoke down in 21st place of the Championship table compared to Sunderland in 4th.

Tony Mowbray is the man in charge and he's much-loved on Wearside.

His side have performed well once again this season and despite a 4-0 defeat vs Middlesbrough last time out, hopes remain high for the campaign ahead.

And hopes are high going into this weekend.

Neil's Potters have been poor this season, despite their busy summer transfer window, with the club having plenty of injuries to contend with as well.

But Neil remains a tried and tested Championship boss and with a good set of players at his disposal, many back him to turn things around this season.

And Mowbray remains wary of the threat that Stoke City pose, speaking well of the opposition ahead of this weekend's game.

Mowbray told Sunderland Echo:

“Stoke is a tough game. Obviously we’ve got Alex Neil, he’s a very talented football manager who made a decision in his life what he was doing next.

“Obviously we’ve had a poor result against them last season and I think we need to put that in the bin and move on. This is the next challenge really.

“Stoke are a very intense football team, very well organised, but for us it’s about can we impose ourselves and our game style on the opposition who we are playing.”

Saturday's game kicks off at 3pm.

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