John McCormick writes: this gets our End of Season Review series underway.
Pete Sixsmith, who came close to giving up the ghost, launches it and will close it. Feel free to contact us if you feel you can contribute one of your own.
Pete it sorted me out a ticket for Goodison but we only managed to meet briefly at the game. In the few minutes between Peter Reid’s half time entrance and exit Pete summarised this season as one of his most disappointing, and that from over half a century which includes the 15 and 19 point seasons.
But that was at half time, and then things got better, and then even better in the next game, and then the next was good enough, and so was the one after that. So much so that the last game of the season is of little consequence.
Unless, of course, you’re a Mag or Steve Bruce.
Does that mean Pete has changed his opinion? Decide for yourself as he gives you his, as supplied to The Observer …
OBSERVER REVIEW MAY 2015
Mark 4/10
It was yet another season where we scrambled away from the bottom three late on, this time with one game to spare. It’s almost what we have come to expect but it gets no better. Gus Poyet tried to make players do things that they were not capable of and, quite rightly, was dismissed. On the other hand, Dick Advocaat made them do what they could do and made sure that they did it very well. He is a very impressive man.
Stars were few and far between. Costel Pantilimon performed exceptionally well and won us a number of vital points. Seb Larsson and Lee Cattermole were very effective in midfield but there was not one player who set the adrenaline flowing. Jack Rodwell was a huge disappointment and needs to show much more next season. Ricky Alvarez was a total flop.
We desperately need some pace in the team, particularly up front. As to who will provide that, I have no idea and will leave it to the Director of Football. Sebastian Coates has done well and should be offered a deal. Another central defender is needed and Jim Baxter and Brian Clough would not go amiss. Sorry, showing my age.
Any fan who is prepared to travel to the North East merits praise – it’s a long way home for most of them. Newcastle’s travelling support was quiet for obvious reasons while Hull’s were noisy and a tad cocky. I like Everton supporters; they follow a club similar to ours.
The song would have to be “Rocky Road” by Nick Lowe – it always is for Sunderland.
My team for 2014-15
De Gea; Clyne, Terry, Fonte, Baines; Hazard, Shelvey, Whillian, Bolassie (based on a wonderful performance at Sunderland); Kane, Aguero. Manager; John Carver – should be fun.
Pete Sixsmith; Sunderland AFC, the great survivors.
You lot need a cleanout of the whole bloody lot starting with your manager, he’s not over keen is he, saying he wont decide till thursday if he wants the job. He did what you wanted so its all lamb and salad now but if he cannot keep it up you’ll start hating him, its happened before over and over. He’s too old and he doesnt have the energy so let him be gone with his bonus that he earned. You need to stop saying that this one or that one cannot be manager cause we dont like him. Pardew and Pulis might both have done very well for you and Allardyce will be looking for a job tomorrow so choose your pick but get somebody with a bit of nous and give him a clean slate. Put the whole bloody squad on the transfer list and see what you can get for them, there’s not a one that you cannot do without and most of the buggers are dragging you down. And then spend some money, its not like its not there. You cannot get rid of your owner mores the pity but you can maybe get him to open his moneybags a bit wider or you’ll be crying yet again come the end of next season