Another review of the week gone by for the busy reader who appreciates a regular digest of what’s been going on here (and ps: see our FA Cup wishlist) …
Among Salut! Sunderland‘s pet hates, a weekend without football ranks high.
There are FA Cup 6th round ties this weekend, and important FA Youth Cup games (the FA’s own site originally had Liverpool and Man Utd having to play their 6th round tie before the winners beetled off down the M6 to London for the first leg of a semi final at Chelsea three hours later: the semi has now been put back to Wednesday).
And Sunderland’s ladies’ team carry our best wishes in their FA Women’s Cup 5th round game against Lincoln City.
Otherwise, for the SAFC supporter, it is another empty weekend.
But if you missed what we’ve been paying attention to in the past week, here is a chance to catch up. Click on any sub-heading that appeals to see the full posting:
* An encounter with David Miliband en route to the match that ended our losing run
Pete Sixsmith reports on a good if at times fortunate display at the Emirates that gave us a welcome point and started a bad week for the Gunners.
* Niall Quinn sings Ellis Short’s praises
Owners are not always football’s most popular figures. For Big Niall, ours – due to make another appearance via the official club site soon to address supporters – is as close to perfection as they get.
* Two looks at football across the Channel
In the first, we compared the tight league tables in the top flights of England and France (click the sub-heading). In the second – click here– the boss of Marseille won our admiration for openly criticising a player’s failure to uphold the club’s good name off the field.
* Away fans: where shall we put them at the SoL?
The club manager, chairman and owner are agreed. The present location is wrong. There are few grounds where our own fans are allowed such a favoured spot as the South stand – and how pathetic it makes us look when the opponents are one of those clubs that sends so few supporters.
Strong words about the Hammers’ ripoff prices for our last game of the season.
* Ending on a spot of good news:
SAFC v Liverpool on Match 20 has sold out – even though the game is being televised. Niall Quinn salutes the fans
There was more at Salut! Sunderland to savour, and the usual batch of interesting, provocative or amusing comments. Please explore …
Monsieur Salut
Sunderland Women 1 Lincoln 0. took a while to settle into game, and thanked the woodwork, but had control for the last 20.