The words in question were uttered by Dick Advocaat about the ‘worked their socks off’ performance that brought three points against Southampton: ‘It was an honour to sit on the bench’ …
As usual, in an arrangement that will come to an end if Sunderland are relegated, I have previewed the forthcoming game at ESPN’s website.
The Salut! Sunderland buildup has been pretty much in accordance with custom and practice. You’ve seen our guest Evertonian Hannah Myers’s excellent “Who are You?” interview. You may have had a stab at the Guess the Score competition.
But what matters now is the result. Lose and we may have to start seriously contemplating life below stairs. Unless we think points can come from Arsenal and Chelsea away, whatever happens when Leicester visit the Stadium of Light.
Last weekend’s games have lifted Sunderland spirits a little, as seen by the improved Yes and Maybe votes in the ‘will we survive?’ poll …
[polldaddy poll=8818549]
In this expansion of the poll we invite views on which clubs Salut! Sunderland readers (who, don’t forget, may well again include supporters of the other six clubs) reckon will go down.
Here are some extracts from my ESPN piece – the full article is at http://www.espnfc.com/club/sunderland/366/blog/post/2438483/sunderland-starting-to-believe-in-premier-league-safety …
After the joy of claiming three points at home to Southampton, a familiar dull feeling is back for Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland. They have it all to do again, this time in the less comfortable setting of Everton’s Goodison stronghold. And winning two Premier League games in a row is something Sunderland have yet to manage this season.
Then …
… Advocaat’s challenge, at its bluntest, is to snatch six points from the next two games, at Everton and at home to Leicester City a week later, while three other strugglers do nothing unexpected. Anything less than that would leave Sunderland to depend on Burnley and QPR failing to pull clear, which seems plausible. Even then, one of two improbable scenarios would be required in the event of defeat at Goodison: almost complete collapse by another club or sensational results of their own at the Emirates and, in the final game, champions Chelsea.
and – I found this quite painful but believe it to be true …
There is a strong feeling in football that while Sunderland bring big, passionate and deserving crowds to top-flight football, all taking pride in a noble history, there has been little else in recent seasons to justify continued Premier League status. In other words, all that flirting with danger may be leading to a logical consequence that hardly undermines natural justice.
As ever, I tried to end on a high note …
… last weekend’s defeat of Southampton gives the Wearsiders a measure of self-belief.
Sunderland need Advocaat to be able to repeat, after Saturday’s early kickoff, what he told local newspapers about the Southampton game: ‘It was an honour to sit on the bench.’
All of which leaves Salut! Sunderland readers plenty of time to have their say, here and/or at ESPN.