Sixer’s WBA Soapbox: Headingley to the Hawthorns. Hailing Swansea and Bradford

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Jake shares the pain
Jake shares the pain

Pete Sixsmith did not mention the Capital One cup final in his report on another awayday disappointment, in fact not one but – for him – two in one weekend. Firstly, he had no reason to; secondly, the Wembley match had not even kicked off when Pete submitted his typically observant and entertaining Soapbox.

But let us pause to offer hearty congratulations to Swansea City, who will doubtless now resent being considered a club like our own, for producing the logical result that these days seems beyond SAFC ) and to Bradford City on having a grand day out. The two sets of fans played a starring role: Ian Todd, the man many of us have to thank for the existence of the SAFC Supporters’ Association London and SE branch, noted: “Norwich v Sunderland surely lost its ‘friendly final’ title today.” Monsieur Salut, listening to impossibly distant and intermittent TalkSport coverage on a Mediterranean seafront, had just one question – could the ref have avoided a red card for the Bradford goalie? Discuss …

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Sixer’s Sevens: West Brom 2 SAFC 1 – another late rally falls short

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Jake gives Sixer star billing
Jake gives Sixer star billing

This is where Pete Sixsmith records his instant verdict, in seven words, on each Sunderland game. Monsieur Salut, driving through the Burgundy snow, received goal updates (or two of them; the text telling me of the bizarre second for WBA must have gone astray) and his one-word verdict – “Lost” – but not the Seven. Fortunately it did get to Malcolm Dawson who has been able to record it for posterity …

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Crusty folk-rocker goads Arsenal whingers and says guess the WBA score

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Jake: 'just score more than them'
Jake: ‘just score more than them’

Monsieur Salut’s hibernation is nearly over.

It’s back to France at the weekend – with any luck catching Bennett and Barnes in commentary from the Hawthorns – without even the need to plan a return for the 40th anniversary cup final in which we forlornly hoped Sunderland might feature.

There’s lots of riveting nostalgia to come on the essential part of SAFC history that is May 5 1973 and all that preceded it that year. And you can use this posting to guess the West Brom-Sunderland score – I’ll send a mug to the reader who is first to predict the correct outcome, usual rules applying.

But since I am heading across the Channel, it seemed as good a time as any to have a parting blast at the absurd posturing we’ve seen from Arsene, otherwise admired as man and manager by M Salut, and all the Montys and Ruperts and Pierses who support Arsenal. Arsenal? Global brand and never forget it … they expect to win every game and stamp their feet when they don’t.

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WBA v Sunderland ‘Who are You?’: happy Baggie salutes Cyrille & Bomber

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Jake asks the question
Jake asks the question


The players have been sunning themselves and getting to know one another better in Dubai – some SAFC fans thought they should, on balance, have been made to do their bonding on Roker sands – but it’s back to football on Saturday. Salut! Sunderland is delighted to welcome another thoughtful opposing supporter, Nathan Carr*, who has told us all we need to know about West Bromwich Albion ahead of Sunderland’s visit to the Hawthorns. Nathan, who contributes to the BT Life’s A Pitch fanzone on the Baggies (see footnote for link), is spot-on with his remarks on Cyrille Regis and is also an understanding soul, as his defence of Liam Ridgewell – he of diving and toilet humour fame – shows …

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Sixer’s Manchester City Soapbox: Sunderland succeeding where Leeds couldn’t

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Jake: Sixer strolls down memory lane
Jake: Sixer strolls down memory lane

John Mac writes: Man City breezed past second division Leeds on Sunday, extending to 41 years the length of time that has elapsed since United last won the FA Cup (they have won the league twice since then but that all seems a long time ago, too).

Forty years ago this fixture could have been the final had City not come up against a different second division side in the fifth round, one that was much, much better than the Leeds of today.

Following the weekend Sixer’s Sevens summing up that Man City-SAFC game, and better 40 years late than never, here is Pete Sixsmith‘s account of his trip to Maine Road, when the first of three teams from the top division succumbed to the Stokoe magic. The general plan is pursue our 1973 cup run in similar fashion until May 5. It beats getting upset again about our lamentably early exit this season …

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Sixer’s Sevens: Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2. Fifth round glory 40 years on

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Jake gives Sixer star billing
Jake gives Sixer star billing

This is where Pete Sixsmith records his instant verdict, in seven words, on each Sunderland game. Today’s is a rather special edition of the Sevens since it recalls a match played eight days short of 40 years ago on Sunderland’s march to Wembley and glory. Salut! Sunderland will have plenty to say about the anniversary but first let’s hear from Sixer, who was there in 1973 just as he was at the replay (3-1 to the Lads after Malcolm Allison had bragged ‘Sunderland have no chance – we’ll murder them’) and the rest of the run to the winning final against then-mighty Leeds United – and at the SoL in 2013 when MoN’s team tumbled headlong out of the cup in a replay against none-too-mighty Bolton Wanderers. And he’ll be back on these pages soon with a Soapbox from Maine Road, the occasion remembered as vividly as if it did indeed happen today …

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