From the Blue Kipper Everton fan site (typos – theirs or, more likely, ours, having been tidied up), thoughts on our two clubs … and forget the fierce rivalry you suspected might exist between Salut! Sunderland and Roker Report. We share a love of foul-smelling cheese …
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Blue Kippper: We got in touch with two Sunderland fans in the lead up to Boxing Day’s game, Colin from Salut! Sunderland and Simon from Roker Report
Here are Colin’s answers
How do you think Everton will do this season?
I think your season looks a little like ours, slightly better so far but we could leapfrog each other at any point. After our atrocious run we need to get away from the bottom. I think we will and that you won’t get dragged in. I’d say we’re both looking at anything from 9th to 12th.
How do you think Sunderland will do this season?
See above. The owner set 10th top as his target last season and, with a little luck, got it. Now he wants us established in the top half. That is now a big ask after the bad run but we could just make it.
Are you happy with the dealings in the transfer window in the summer and do you need more in the Jan window?
We made some good purchases – notably Larsson and, on their day, Brown and O’Shea. Westwood has proved an excellent keeper. But the main problem was goals and insufficient was done – two promising but unproven strikers and Bendtner on loan – in that department or to improve creativity.
How do you think Martin O’Neil will do and did you feel sorry for Steve Bruce?
I am enthused by the appointment. Not because of his boyhood fascination with Sunderland – EVERY Northern Ireland football supporter has a second team, in England, after the obvious tribal choice between Celtic and Rangers; I am happy because I rate him as a better manager than the one we’ve sacked. I was more patient with Bruce than most and gave him to the end of November, but saw no reason to expect things to change. Allowing Bent to go without replacement was criminal, even though he may have had his hand forced from above.
How do you rate David Moyes?
His name was on many Sunderland lips as we speculated about Bruce’s replacement. That says it all – and I suspect few Evertonians would want to lose him.
Who do you see as Everton’s dangerman?
Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell are the ones everyone talks about. You’ve got better players than your position suggests. And you always seem to play well against us over Christmas.
Who is your favourite all time Everton player?
Duncan McKenzie was great on his day. But I loved the whole mid-80s team that was so successful: fluent, great movement, a joy to watch. Should make special mention of Reidy!
What do you think the score will be on Boxing Day?
Let me be entirely loyal and say 2-1. Truth is, I am one of those who hopes for the best and fears the worst every match.
What is your personal favourite cheese?
Camembert, smelly Livarot or really mature Cheddar
And here are Simon’s answers
How do you think Everton will do this season?
I think Everton will be fine, as they tend to do so. They always seem from the outside to be a few players short of having a very, very good team and are just perpetually “quite good” rather than great. If you’re looking for me to give you a league position I’ll say 8th.
How do you think Sunderland will do this season?
We had expectations at the start of the season to be a bit like your lot, comfortably in the top ten. However, given the start to the season, that’s looking like it would be quite an achievement. I’ll take just getting as high as we can and a decent FA Cup run (for once).
Are you happy with the dealings in the transfer window in the summer and do you need more in the Jan window?
Absolutely delighted with the business done. The likes of John O’Shea & Wes Brown are class acts, David Vaughan has been a revelation and Connor Wickham, despite his youth has been a very important player. Lest we forget Seb Larsson who can’t stop scoring and creating goals at the moment. We’d have liked Gyan to have stuck around, but bollocks to him now. Similarly we haven’t seen much of Craig Gardner yet so the jury is still out on him.
How do you think Martin O’Neil will do and did you feel sorry for Steve Bruce?
Martin O’Neill is a fantastic appointment. For starters he’s completely unified the fanbase after battle lines were drawn under Bruce. Not to mention he’s really changed the ethos on the pitch. We seem to play a lot more vibrant a game at the moment, everyone having very clearly defined roles and perhaps most crucially they’re all working their balls off for each other. Very encouraging to say the least.
How do you rate David Moyes?
Very highly. Prior to O’Neill coming in I suggested we take a run at Moyes. He’s a very good manager, and could well have (and probably would have) said no, but there’s no harm in asking.
Who do you see as Everton’s danger man?
Well Tim Cahill’s always been a bit of a bastard for us, so I’m hoping his little goal drought continues. Outside of him, Royston Drenthe is a player I’d have liked to see in red and white and he’s really looking a good player. I’m always wary of those with powerful strikes form distance. Westwood’s not dodgy or anything, it’s just a general feeling.
Who is the your man in form?
For me the star of the season so far has been Kieran Richardson. Started at left-back and did very very well before being shifted back into midfield where he’s also done well. These last two or three games he’s been great, and long may it continue. Kieren Westwood has also been in fine form. He was a great find and firmly established himself as the No 1 now.
Who is your favourite all time Everton player?
Hmmmm I dunno. We’ve had a few who have played for both us and yourselves, but I’ll say Duncan Ferguson. Everyone loves a mentalist.
What do you think the score will be on Boxing Day?
I think it will be a relatively tight game, with us sneaking it 1-0. An earlyish first half goal.
What is your personal favourite cheese?
Not just pandering to the Everton fans here but anything Blue. The stronger and stinkier the better.