Sunderland
West Ham United
Stadium of Light
9
Games Played
8
4
Goals Scored
8
0.44
Goals per game
1.00
40%
Shooting Accuracy %
32%
5%
Goals/Shots %
8%
3246
Passes
3127
74%
Pass Completion %
73%
74%
Tackles Won %
76%
13
Goals Conceded
16
1.44
Goals Conceded per game
2.00
128
Fouls
119
16
Yellow Cards
18
Red Cards
1
A new era begins at the Stadium of Light on Saturday when Sunderland's new management duo of Howard Wilkinson and Steve Cotterill take charge of their first match with the visit of bottom-of-the-table West Ham United.
One of the main problems the pair must immediately rectify if they are to be deemed a success is the Black Cats' poor record in front of goal. Last season the team averaged just 0.8 goals per game, the least-prolific mean in the Premiership.
This term, they have only managed to find the back of the net four times in nine games and need £10 million strike force Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart to start finding the net more regularly.
Saturday is also a massive game for West Ham, with manager Glenn Roeder under increasing pressure after his team's dismal start to the 2002-03 campaign.
Just one win has left them bottom and obviously one of the major reasons is that no other team has conceded more goals than the Hammers' 16 in the Premiership this season. They are certainly going to have tighten up at the back if they are to have a reversal in fortune.
The critics have been sharpening their knives for Roeder and if he is not to become the latest manger to get the sack then a positive outcome at the Stadium of Light is imperative.
Like Sunderland, the Londoners have a similarly poor record in front of goal with 32% of their attempts hitting the target - the worst return in the Premiership. Joe Cole has been one of the main culprits with 16 of his shots failing to trouble opposing goalkeepers.
But the Black Cats will still aim to keep a tight rein on Cole as this game represents an early opportunity for Wilkinson and Cotterill to prove that the club made the right decision by appointing them.
Saturday's outcome could well prove to be a defining moment in the season for both Sunderland and West Ham United.
Match Betting: Sunderland 11/10 Draw 12/5
West Ham 15/8 -
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