Martin O’Neill won’t preside over many easier wins than this. It was as if we were able to raise our game at will, scoring when we wanted and under little or no threat. And now we’re eighth top. The manager’s post-match e-mail reflects the convincing nature of another important victory …
This is where Pete Sixsmith captures the glory and shame, hope and despair, excitement and ennui of the Sunderland matchday experience. When, rarely, Pete is absent or delayed, a supersub does it for him and the seven-word verdict is preceded by an asterisk. Pete’s full analysis of the game will usually appear within a day or two.
Tonight was easy. Campbell scored a belter – great stuff, Fraizer, keep on making us believe the strikerless transfer window didn’t matter – and Sess and a Bardlsey-assisted own goal saw off Norwich City and took us, M Salut thinks as he writes, to eighth top. A grand place to be and – sorry, Steve – unthinkable two months or so ago. Just back from seeing Sunderland the play in Paris so Martin’s Musings may have to wait …
Now that the excitement is over – and with thanks to Jake for pulling together the images you now see in the banner – Pete Sixsmith takes a quick look at our transfer dealings.
Norwich, like Swansea, have impressed most neutrals with their progress so far in the Premier. Indeed, they did better than us in the FA Cup at the weekend. Robin Sainty*, chairman of the Independent Norwich City Supporters’ Club, would have settled for just staying up. Here, ahead of tomorrow’s Sunderland v City game, is his look at Bruce and O’Neill, both closely associated with both clubs, our own poor display at Carrow Road this season and that cup final …
All bubbles burst. Our didn’t quite evaporate but the 1-1 draw against Boro not only sets up a tricky replay but reminds us that even Martin O’Neill’s powers have their limits. Over to Pete Sixsmith …
Right, we got back into the game, maybe should have found the strength to win but cannot seriously complain about the result.
Martin O’Neill maintained his unbeaten home record at the Stadium of Light with the heartening goal from Fraizer Campbell, just back from long-term injury securing the draw. We now have to go the Boro and win to earn another home tie, against Arsenal, in the 5th round – and Martin’s post-match missive recognised that the main plus from a moderate display was that we were still in the hat …
This is where Pete Sixsmith captures the glory and shame, hope and despair, excitement and ennui of the Sunderland matchday experience. When, rarely, Pete is absent or delayed, a supersub does it for him and the seven-word verdict is preceded by an asterisk. Pete’s full analysis of the game will usually appear within a day or two.
Can it really be true? Is there seriously a Spanish music mogul by the name of Jordi Bastard? Our own Rob Hutchinson is convinced of it and searches high and low on the French Riviera, Somerset Maugham’s sunny place for shady people ..
It is time again for our glance at the week gone by. But let us look forward a little as well.