LISTEN: Our sports writer discusses his split loyalties ahead of Doncaster Rovers v Sunderland

It’s not exactly ‘happy place, happy place, Stadium of Light’ at the moment.
Sunderland's Lynden Gooch runs at the Doncaster defence during the 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light in January 2020.Sunderland's Lynden Gooch runs at the Doncaster defence during the 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light in January 2020.
Sunderland's Lynden Gooch runs at the Doncaster defence during the 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light in January 2020.

You can take my word for it.

I’ve covered news and sport in Doncaster for 14 years now but, for anyone that isn’t aware or hasn’t heard my accent on iFollow Rovers, I’m a Sunderland lad and boyhood Sunderland fan.

Those two worlds collide head-on again tomorrow and it makes for a totally surreal experience – even more so inside an empty stadium.

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It’s a coming together that was almost unimaginable when I moved to South Yorkshire during the winter of 2006 as Sunderland, under Roy Keane, were embarking upon their ‘magic carpet’ ride back to the Premier League.

But here we are again and, while Doncaster have been progressive and entertaining under Darren Moore, this uninspiring Sunderland side is in danger of stalling completely as they seek promotion back to the Championship at the third time of asking.

That’s why, with my Sunderland hat on, I’m apprehensive about this weekend’s game.

To the naked eye 21 points from 11 games might look like a decent start.

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But successive home defeats to Mansfield Town in the FA Cup and MK Dons in the league – both insipid performances – have piled the pressure on Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson ahead of this weekend’s game.

And the growing feeling on Wearside is that their team lacks the quality, cutting edge and dynamism required for a top two finish.

The Stadium of Light is certainly not a happy place.

Owner Stewart Donald has thrown in the towel and is in the process of selling up. Parkinson is probably looking over his shoulder, given the talk of a prospective takeover. The players are underperforming bar a couple of exceptions and the vast majority of fans are fed up with the manager and what they perceive to be one-dimensional tactics.

If Rovers bring their A-game, there’s every chance they can add to Sunderland’s woes.

Listen to Free Press sports writer Paul Goodwin discuss this weekend’s game on the Roker Rapport Podcast by clicking play on the YouTube video above (from 15.10 onwards).