This is where Pete Sixsmith records his instant verdict, in seven words, on each Sunderland game. He judged this match beyond us even at one-down and missed the end to scamper back to Shildon in hopes of seeing Wembley-bound FA Vase glory (3-1 up, but only level with Tunbridge Wells on aggregate, soon after HT; perhaps someone can post a comment updating that little side issue). As for the Stadium of Light, it is probably true that putting loyalty and passion aside, few of us seriously expected to win and only a handful really thought a draw likely (whatever scorelines we predicted). The display was determined enough, with some bright interludes, but once again lacked quality and threat. We cannot blame bad luck (Bramble’s deflected own goal; Kevin Friend’s excessive respect for United as witnessed by harsh booking for N’Diaye, dodgy free kicks and no card at all when Young scythed down Sess). Prepare for a gloomy and/or nervous few weeks unless you’re a United fan uncorking the Premier title champagne or glorying in SAFC’s ominous predicament …
March 24 2013 SAFC 0 (0) Manchester United 1 (1) Did OK, but OK doesn’t win points
March 17 2013 SAFC 1 (1) Norwich City 1 (1) Abysmal yet again and trapdoor is opening
March 17 1973 FA Cup Sixth Round SAFC 2 (0) Luton Town (0) 0 No classic but another step to Wembley
March 9 Queens Park Rangers 3 (1) SAFC 1 (1) * We deserved nothing from another shocking performance
March 2 2013 SAFC 2 (1) Fulham (2) 2 Better in second half after woeful first
Feb 27 1973 FA Cup 5th round replay SAFC 3 (2) Manchester City 1 (0) City slickers subdued by scintillating Sunderland show
Feb 24 1973 FA Cup 5th round Manchester City 2 (1) SAFC 2 (1) Magnificent performance that belies our lowly status
Feb 23 2013 West Bromwich Albion 2 (1) SAFC 1 (0) Another disappointment. Looking over our shoulders again
Feb 9 2013 SAFC 0 (0) Arsenal 1 (1) *Second half fightback fails to earn point
Feb 2 2013 Reading 2 (1) SAFC 1 (1) *More points thrown away by shoddy defending
Jan 29 2013 SAFC 0(0) Swansea City 0(0) Be thankful Swansea don’t have a Fletcher
Jan 19 2013 Wigan Athletic (1) 2 SAFC (3) 3 Important win but nerves shredded at end
Jan 15 2013 FA Cup Third Round replay: SAFC (0) 0 Bolton Wanderers (0) 2 What a difference three days make: awful
Jan 12 2013 SAFC (1) 3 West Ham United (0) 0 Great show by Vaughan inspired comfortable win
Jan 5 2013 FA Cup Third Round: Bolton Wanderers (1) 0 SAFC (0) 2 *A Gardner wonder strike saves the day
Jan 2 2013 Liverpool (2) 3 SAFC (0) 0 Our heads went down second half – worrying
Dec 29 2012 SAFC (1) 1 Tottenham Hotspur (0) 2 Nearly a draw but not quite there
Dec 26 2012 SAFC (0) 1 Manchester City (0) 0 What a wonderful way to spend Boxing Day
Dec 23 2012 Southampton (0) 0 SAFC (1) 1 Jingle bells, jingle bells, Sunderland win away <
Dec 16 2012 Manchester United (2) 3 SAFC (0) 1 Dismal first half defending cost us dear
Dec 11 2012 SAFC (2) 3 Reading (0) 0 Just a comfortable win against poor oppositon
Dec 8 2012 SAFC (0) 1 Chelsea (2) 3 Far better performance than the scoreline suggests
Dec 2 2012 Norwich City (2) 2 SAFC (1) 1 Took too long to get into game.
And read Monsieur Salut at ESPN: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/sunderland/id/710?cc=5739
Nov 27 2012 SAFC (0) 0 Queens Park Rangers (0) 0 Won’t see a poorer game all season
Nov 23 2012 SAFC (0) 2 West Bromwich Albion (2) 4 Ridiculous scoreline but too many basic errors
Nov 18 2012 Fulham 1 (0) SAFC 3 (0) Good goals, better performance, 3 important points
Nov 10 2012 Everton (0) 2 SAFC (1) 1 Chances created, which is progress. Much better
Nov 3 2012 SAFC 0 (0) Aston Villa 1 (0) Another abject performance. A long winter looms
Oct 30 2012 Capital One Cup Fourth Round: SAFC 0 (0) Middlesbrough 1 (1) Plan B even worse than plan A
Oct 27 2012 Stoke City (0) 0 SAFC (0) 0 Don’t bother with MoTD: a real stinker
Oct 21 2012 SAFC (0) 1 Newcastle United (1) 1 Got out of jail. Just about deserved
Oct 6 2012 Manchester City (1) 3 SAFC (0) 0 Never gave up but City simply better.
Sept 29 2012 SAFC (0) 1 Wigan Athletic (0) 0 Scrappy performance but a win’s a win
Sept 25 2012 Capital One Cup 3rd Round: MK Dons (0) 0 SAFC (0) 2 Second goal settles nerves for comfortable win
Sept 22 2012 West Ham United (0) 1 SAFC (1) 1 Need to be more positive when ahead
Sept 15 2012 SAFC (1) Liverpool (0) 1 More than happy to take a point
Sept 1 2012 Swansea City (1) 2 SAFC (2) 2 *Lack of ambition against 10 cost points
Aug 28 2012 Capital One Cup Round 2: SAFC (1) 2 Morecambe (0) 0 Shrimps potted as we stroll to victory
Aug 18 2012 Arsenal (0) 0 SAFC (0) 0 Gritty, determined and a well earned point
To see Sixer’s Sevens in full, click here.
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At least you saw a close-fought game, Pete. Sunderland are seldom better than boring.
Cricket starts soon. Hope to see you at the Oval on May 9th (approx 1 week before we go down).
To make the day worse, Shildon were 3-0 up and were clambering aboard the Wembley train. Tunbridge Wells scored to take it into extrat time and then got a second goal with four minutes left.
There are times when I wish I had an old fashioned gas oven..
There is something just so predictable about Sunderland right now.Weakened Man U team but still an easy 3 points.Some things just don’t ever change.When you are struggling at the bottom you score own goals like we did….we have seen it and bought the T shirt many a time before.
Relegation stamped through them like stick of rock.
Well put….could have been viewed as a moral victory, however our same old failings were evident, very slow start, no urgency, no craft, no creativity.
Under other circumstances this score line would give hope for the future, but without a goal threat we are dead in the water. MON will have to pick them up and put a positive spin on the score line if not the performance. We are desperate for inspiration but I can’t for the life of me see where it is going to come from in the current squad.
Dark days ahead.
You have to think that if we can replicate the second half, and create decent chances, for the rest of the season then all is not lost. Fourth bottom is now looking like the only realistic target. Come on Chelsea and Norwich.
Please ignore. I am obviously deranged.