The ink is barely dry on Pete Sixsmith‘s heartfelt adieu to Alan Pardew – https://safc.blog/2014/12/by-god-the-butlers-scarpered-fond-farewell-newcastles-monsieur-par-dieu/ – and now he comes along with some New Year’s resolutions. Almost simultaneously, Rob Hutchison – master of the one-word player ratings – offered with his succinct verdict on Sunderland’s 2014″ ‘Eventful,’ adding a few more words: ‘Can’t really remember a year like 2014 following the lads.’But now for Sixer’s will and won’t do pledges
Year: 2014
McCormick’s Craic: the half term report says Sunderland must do better
John McCormick writes: I’m beginning thisĀ on December 29, the day after we’ve drawn against Villa in our 19th game of the season. With match reports from Villa (er, whatever happened to Bob Chapman’s?), then a game on New Year’s Day, then a cup match, the site will be busy with posts for the next few days, so my reflections will take their chances and appear when there’s a gap (just identified! – Ed).
I don’t think it’ll need much updating. My forecast is that Jozy won’t score against Man City. I seriously doubt whether Fletcher or Wickham will, although I don’t think the result’s a foregone conclusion. In fact, I’d keep Fletch at home and save him for the Leeds game rather than have him battered and risking injury against City … let us see
Keir’s Aston Villa player ratings. Not impressed
Nic Wiseman writes: Young Keir Bradwell has obviously been feasting on bah humbugs as he penned these ratings and most …
By God, the butler’s scarpered. Fond farewell, Newcastle’s Monsieur Par Dieu
Pete Sixsmith was attached to Pardew his butler, and the butler seemed contended enough with life in Shildon’s posh bit, Busty Bank. But Palace gold talks loudly and the butler – he may seem ungoldly but his name derives from the French Par Dieu (by God) – is off back down south, gratefully detaching himself from the ruffians and vagabonds of the North East. Let Sixer sound the bugle ….
Manchester City v SAFC Who are You?: ‘we have striker problems too!’
Everyone is getting in on the Who are You? act. Football’s greatest ‘from the other side’ interview – yes, we would say that – has been conducted by deputy editor Malcolm Dawson and associate editor John McCormick in recent weeks. And now Sixer finds Tony Morehead*, lifelong Man City fan, to preview the New Year’s Day game at the Etihad. Any Salut! Sunderland reader with kith and kin who’d make great candidates should let us know. Meanwhile, let Tony explain the unexpected assertion that City have weaknesses up front …
Manchester City vs SAFC Guess the Score: cricket score or awayday shocker?
No one guessed SAFC 1-3 Hull. Plenty among us saw the potential for a traditional flop immediately following a derby win, but the common Guess the Score practice is to be, or appear, positive.
Drummer was chuffed to win the Aston Villa competition but would probably have gone happily without his prize mug in return for one of Connor Wickham’s shots being a little more, er, hard to save.
A year in Sixer’s Sunderland life – Newcastle, Southampton, Old Trafford and all
Pete Sixsmith has been following Sunderland for 50+ years. Sometimes, a single season seems like 50 years. Rarely, but not so much so as to be unheard of, one half of a game can get close, too (step forward SAFC v Hull City). Here are his highs and lows of 2014, plus a hope or two for 2015 …
Hutch’s Patch: the weak and tepid, strong and tigerish at Aston Villa
First let M Salut, just back from a few days in France, salute deputy editor Malcolm Dawson and associate editor John McCormick, nobly assisted by Pete Sixsmith and Jake, for manfully keeping the ship of Salut! Sunderland afloat over Christmas. I wish I could now salute a couple of superb post-derby performances lifting us to heady mid-table heights. A glance at Rob Hutchison‘s one-word verdicts on the Sunderland players on duty at Villa Park rightly suggests a strong enough defensive display and very little else to shout about …
Pure Poyetry: Gus’s well worn record from Villa Park
Malcolm Dawson writes…..More of the same from Gus today in his e-mail to M Salut and the rest of the …
Sixer’s Sevens from Villa Park: another draw for the nil all specialists
This is the spot where you can find Pete Sixsmith’s (or an asterisked sub’s) seven word summation of the latest game. Sunderland had chances. Villa had chances. In the end it was all rather predictable.
Dec 28 Aston Villa (0) 0 SAFC (0) *Just couldn’t break down 10 man Villa
Dec 26 SAFC (1) 1 Hull City (1) 3 A good Christmas spoiled by awful performance.
Dec 21 NUFC (0) 0 SAFC (0) 1 Four in a row brings Christmas cheer
Dec 13 SAFC (1) 1 West Ham United (1) 1 One point better than none. Tight game