Right, between sorting out laptop and mobile phone nightmares, I found some of Pete Sixsmith’s magical words waiting to be posted. This is a no-frills, Poundland sort of edit …
Some week: rain, rain, Chelsea and Bilbao
Sunderland play Bolton Wanderers: who will win the ‘Guess the Score’ mug?
This modest competition has been blamed for everything from the extreme right’s rise in French politics to Sunderland’s goal-free April.
The SAFC v Bolton Who are You?: (2) ‘my special night at Villa’
No sooner had ”Bob” supplied his answers for the Bolton Wanderers ”Who are You?” than our old friend Howard Page – doubtless fired by events at Villa Park – overcame pressure of work and did likewise. Salut! Sunderland policy is straightforward: if a supporter takes the trouble to answer our questions, we ensure the effort is not wasted. Howard was also perfectly happy to use his full name – his band The Menu can always use publicity …
The SAFC v Bolton Who are You?: ‘we could become another Portsmouth’
They’re a cagey lot over and down a bit in Bolton. We’re hoping for a double on Saturday; they already have one. Just as before the game at the Reebok, we have a great set of replies – and a request for anonymity that survived even the euphoria of a mightily important win at Villa Park. Over, then, to Bob* from the Burnden Aces fans site aand writing just before last night’s game …
Running for glory on Fulham matchday
The bad news, if you find yourself in the Sunderland end at Craven Cottage for our final away game of the season on May 6, is that the man next to you will have just run a half-marathon. The good? Nic Wiseman, esteemed former editor of the fanzine It’s The Hope I Can’t Stand fanzine, promises to have a shower first …
Chelsea and Barca: when the Torres goal went in, I applauded
Towards the end of Chelsea’s display of opportunistic flair and sheer stoicism to beat Barcelona and reach the Champions League final, one Kurt Sullivan sent a tweet that popped up on the BBC’s online coverage:
“Defending like Chelsea are right now is as much of an art as attacking. It’s as much a part of the beautiful game.”
Luke’s World: how a second Irish revolution refuelled the faith
Luke Harvey is Salut! Sunderland’s youngest regular writer but has already seen two Irish revolutions at the Stadium of Light. It may be a trifle early for end-of-season reviews, but Luke has been reflecting on a bumpy ride to safety – and the hope of something more glorious to come …
How Sunderland Lasses walloped Blackburn and finally convinced our man
Pete Sixsmith is a traditionalist. And women don’t play football according to his notion of tradition. At least they didn’t (though he’d clearly never seen Monsieur Salut’s daughter in action for Brentford, QPR or Acton with one substitute appearance for Arsenal along the way). An 8-0 romp for Sunderland lasses, with a goal from the men seeming a distant luxury, challenged his ideas …
The Aston Villa Soapbox: three Saturdays, not a Sunderland goal in sight
Pete Sixsmith was, for once, blameless in renewed outbreaks of the Thirty Five Year war. He was on the bus going home from Villa Park so missed all the abuse piled on us from supporters of a League One club after we declined to express regret at their relegation. Pete saw plenty of goals yesterday as the Sunderland Women’s team hammered in eight. How worried is he about the men’s current inability to score even one?
Mixed feelings: au revoir Portsmouth, good riddance Coventry
Rarely have I felt such mixed feelings about the fate of two clubs whose relegations have been confirmed on the same day. Sad for Pompey, elated at Coventry’s descent.