With three games remaining, we’re out of the relegation zone with a superior goal difference and a game in hand. On top of that, two of those three games are at home. Even more worryingly, Sunderland are coming dangerously close to making me enjoy watching football again. They often toy with us, but now they’ve decided to put a strong run together at the right time of the season. Something MUST go wrong, right?
It’s strange to even think 32 points could keep us safe. Fulham’s remaining fixtures are favourable, but they can’t defend. Cardiff looked a poor side. Mind you, they do have the Mags up next. A banker for the Welshmen? I’m sure most on Wearside would be delighted with a favour from our Tyneside buddies. The real positive is that it’s all in our hands. Do what we need to do and we stay up. Then the inquest can begin in the summer alongside the distraction of the World Cup. Should be interesting.
On this week’s show, Connor Wickham once again takes the plaudits. Having a forward who is finally holding the ball and bringing other people into play is starting to pay off. The inconsistent Emanuele Giaccherini seems to be enjoying his role as ‘supersub’, linking up with Wickham in the process to great effect. The pressure has been taken off the centre of midfield too. Sebastian Larsson is having a fantastic spell of form, whilst Lee Cattermole looks to be enjoying himself. Some of his long passing on Sunday was phenomenal.
There’s an aura of positivity around things on the pitch at the moment. Momentum is so, so important at this stage of the season and we have it for a change, which is nice. We must go to Old Trafford and give a good account of ourselves, regardless of result, and keep things going into the two vital remaining home games. I actually fancy us to get something at Manchester United. If you’ve listened for the last two weeks, my predictions have been decent. Hopefully I’m not wrong.
Joining us this week in the studio was BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes. We were also joined by our SportsByte panellists from the University of Sunderland in the form of Sam Lightle and Michael Lough.To get a Manchester United perspective, BBC freelancer Dom Raynor joined us on the phone.
So get on it on iTunes (HERE) or just used the SoundCloud Player below to listen…
Gareth Barker
I’m typing this post Man Utd, I listened to the podcast pre United. The last time I commented on a podcast was to request an inquest asking where it all went wrong . Goldy agreed and I feel had circumstances not changed the last podcast would have been just that. Well barring Norwich going on a similar miraculous run to us and ourselves completely collapsing , we’re going to survive . It’s an amazing turnaround , probably the greatest in premiership ( at least) history, I’m just waiting for our survival to be confirmed and then I can enjoy the biggest ever feast of egg on face known to man. I’m sure you’ll all be tucking in aswell !