Manchester United vs SAFC: recalling a glorious win when Jozy shone too

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Pete Sixsmith: ‘I waited a long time for this’


Four wins in seven games have given us all a lift – and Sunderland a chance. We know Old Trafford presents a stiffer test than Hull, Watford or hungover Leicester at home, or Bournemouth away for that matter.

But it is a test to which Sunderland have risen and should be capable of rising again. If a Manchester United victory seems the logical outcome, David Moyes has to persuade his men to believe they can cause an upset and play accordingly.

Towards the end of the 2013-2014 season, having already been there and won a League Cup semi-final on penalties, albeit as a bad a shoot-out as anyone could remember, Gus Poyet’s Sunderland went to Old Trafford on the back of great wins at Chelsea and at home to Cardiff, and a draw that ought to have been a win at the Etihad. Could we do it again and more or less ensure Premier League survival?

Pete Sixsmith was there. Let us start with Malcolm Dawson’s perfect scene-setting introduction and then marvel at the beauty of Sixer at his best – in each case as written in early May 2014
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Wrinkly Pete says what we’re thinking: ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas’

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Peter Lynn, aka Wrinkly Pete.

John McCormick writes: Wrinkly Pete is quite prescient. I was thinking of doing a relegation review before the end of the week and might still do so, depending on what comes down the Salut chimney in the next few days. I know there’s a “Who are you?” due but there may well be other posts – and you can take that as an invitation to send us something of your own if you wish. Like our esteemed manager we’re always on the lookout for young talent and not above taking on a good old’n.

Which, I suppose, returns me to Wrinkly Pete himself:

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Manchester United vs SAFC Guess the Score: a gift of Christmas present

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The winner gets glory – and a prize

Monsieur Salut spoke with forked tongue.

The Watford game was not, after all, the last of 2016 to be marked by a prize edition of Guess the Score. I have decided that even if it means the cat goes without food this Christmas, I will stump up for a mug for whoever is first to predict the correct score for Manchester United vs Sunderland on Boxing Day.

That’s my modest Christmas present – and anyone except me can enter. That means all who help keep Salut! Sunderland afloat are eligible for the life-changing prize – a mug with the winner’s choice of name as No 12.

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Playing the sub v Watford: the view from the lower North Stand

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Ed was away; he left me his season ticket and thanks to his generosity I watched the lads for free if I don’t count the 8 gallons of petrol, the couple of bottles of wine for Susan (my sister, who put me up) and a couple of pre-match pints for designated driver Paul.

John McCormick: bored
John McCormick. Subbing, but not for Sixer

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Sunderland Observed: Sixer’s half-term report

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Sixer at The Observer

 

Britain’s best newspaper – remember those useful if outdated things? – came calling again and Pete Sixsmith answered The Observer‘s call, with this half-term report (written before the win vs Watford)…

 

We are deeply entrenched in the annual relegation battle, have been told there is no money to spend and the owner has made it clear that the club is up for sale. Sunderland supporters are a stoical bunch but our stoicism is being stretched this season.

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Sixer’s Sevens: Sunderland 1-0 Watford. PvA’s super finish brings precious win

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Jake: ‘great strike from that PvA kid’

https://safc.blog/2016/12/sixers-sevens-sunderland-1-0-watford-pvas-super-finish/

Monsieur Salut writes: as significant, almost, as the three precious points from this 1-0 win, was the vast improvement in the play of my man of the match Jason Denayer and the often (and rightly) criticised Adnan Januzaj. The goal came from a splendid Januzaj-Defoe-van Aanholt move and PvA’s finish was sublime. This is where you come to find Pete Sixsmith‘s instant seven-word verdict; there’ll be more to come on this match …

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The Things We Do For Love of Sunderland. And the winner is …

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Ask Jeremy 'Clock Stand Paddock' Robson where Sunderland play and he'll say 'Roker Park'
Ask Jeremy ‘Clock Stand Paddock’ Robson where Sunderland play and he’ll say ‘Roker Park’

The Things We Do For Love competition attracted some excellent entries, some great memories. Choosing a winner of the above print of Roker Park – with mighty thanks to our generous sponsors http://www.wearedorothy.com – was tough.

Check out the earlier mentions of the competition here and, when Pete Sixsmith’s reminiscences on Sunderland in the European Cupwinners’ Cup in 1973, prompted more memories here.

But this, from Wrinkly Pete, aka Peter Lynn, is the winner on the arbitrary choice of Monsieur Salut. Out thanks to Pete, to all others who posted contributions and to the folk at Dorothy, who assure us the prize is in the post.

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