Pete Sixsmith remains busy on the Saturdays before Christmas so it’s a substitute performance over the weekend. Our deputy editor Malcolm Dawson was there to brave rotten weather conditions and at times rotten play, it seems, happy enough that a game that didn’t go as expected still finished well enough. He sent alternative seven-word verdicts to replace John McCormick’s contingency offering ‘Maja ups the price on his head’. Both evoke the Rovers nickname and the second was sent immediately after the away side threatened to snatch a draw with a spot of late pressure …
John McCormick writes: I won’t be in the North East for the home game but I have my eye on the away fixture at Bristol this season. It would be another club and ground on my list, not that I’m collecting. If I was, however, it would be some years before I could approach the number racked up by Pete Sixsmith, who has been here, there and everywhere, despite giving his time to other seasonal pursuits.
And here he is again with the next instalment of his adventures, his first sighting of Bristol Rovers at Roker Park:
Doug Shields before Rovers 0-4 Doncaster. ‘The only time I smiled on Saturday.’ Click on the photo to see all Who are You?s this season
The curse of Who are You? A frantic call from Doug tells M Salut the manager has left today ‘by mutual consent’
Monsieur Salut writes:Doug Shields* is a friend of a friend, my Leeds-supporting, Bristol-based former colleague Richard Savill. He came up with some splendid gallows humour to describe the plight of his beloved Rovers and his life as a fan. He expects a severe beating when he visits the SoL – a common Rovers view that gives me very bad vibes – but looks forward to the delights by night of a certain other city where, he’s been told, ‘all the lads look like Jimmy Nail and all the girls have been on Geordie Shore’ …
Pete Sixsmith may be busy on the Saturdays before Christmas but on the weekdays he leaves the work to his helpers and heads off to find a game. Luckily for him there are a few coming up. This one, though it might give Pete a break, is one the rest of us didn’t really want. Was it worth his time? Come back tomorrow for a full report; and while you’re waiting you might ponder on his post-whistle seven word text:
Click the image to see all Who are You? interviews so far this season
Monsieur Salut writes: this is a Who are You? with a difference ahead of tonight’s FA Cup 2nd round replay at home to Walsall.
Richard Hall’s Q+A for the first two games – both drawn – between our clubs this season, league and cup, were mightily impressive. Our own star writer Pete Sixsmith thought they were good enough for us to bring forward the annual HAWAY awards (Highly Articulate Who are You?s) since no one else was likely to emulate the standard he set.
Click the image to order your copy just (in case you don’t win Guess the Score or have a Christmas gift in mind)
The experience of Saturday prompts a rule addition for the Salut! Sunderland prize Guess the Score: a match abandoned = a competition cancelled.
No one had 1-1 in any case so there can be no cries of foul play.
No, Pete Sixsmith is not reporting from either of the towns of Stanley in County Durham. Nor is he reporting from the exceedingly wet town of Accrington as he has been assigned other duties for the duration (call Lapland for further information). But Salut! Sunderland‘s deputy editor Malcolm Dawson and associate editor John McCormick made it to the Crown Ground or Wham Stadium, according to choice, and even met our much-missed one-word player ratings maestro Rob ‘I ran out of adjectives’ Hutchison and his daughter Olivia over pre-match drinks. They all saw Chris Maguire put the Lads ahead, only for Stanley to equalise and then for the ref to gaze at the skies, see yet another torrential downpour and abandon the game. All to be done again. Meanwhile, for thise following via Barnes and Benno, there was the consolation of news from Gateshead of the man of their match (2-0 up when Monsieur Salut switched off), Luke Molyneux, on loan from SAFC.
John McCormick writes: all being well I’ll be there. Given the chance, what self respecting football supporter wouldn’t go to see his team play Accrington Stanley. This is history. Proper history.
Forget your Etihads and your Emirates, your millionaires and billionaires, this is what it’s all about.
Colin Randall 
No, Pete Sixsmith is not reporting from either of the towns of Stanley in County Durham. Nor is he reporting from the exceedingly wet town of Accrington as he has been assigned other duties for the duration (call Lapland for further information). But Salut! Sunderland‘s deputy editor Malcolm Dawson and associate editor John McCormick made it to the Crown Ground or Wham Stadium, according to choice, and even met our much-missed one-word player ratings maestro Rob ‘I ran out of adjectives’ Hutchison and his daughter Olivia over pre-match drinks. They all saw Chris Maguire put the Lads ahead, only for Stanley to equalise and then for the ref to gaze at the skies, see yet another torrential downpour and abandon the game. All to be done again. Meanwhile, for thise following via Barnes and Benno, there was the consolation of news from Gateshead of the man of their match (2-0 up when Monsieur Salut switched off), Luke Molyneux, on loan from SAFC. 