What we are all hoping, those of us who support Sunderland, is that scoring another wonder goal for a team now 10th top of one of the best leagues in the world, in a ground where 37,000 is considered disappointing, will be all Craig Gardner needs to shrug off feelings of homesickness.
If Pete Sixsmith – now seen on Sharethematch.com too – sounds a lot jauntier than he did at half-time, it is fair to add that he was a very happy bunny by the end, full of praise for Sunderland’s discipline as well as the classy goals as we saw off the threat from a much-praised, confident and often elegant Swansea side …
If you have come here expecting to see Pete Sixsmith’s report, you will have to be patient. That will appear tomorrow. First, let’s hear from another Pete – Peter Thomas, Swansea supporter and writer of the estimable Pierre91 in a Day blog. This is how he saw it; a fair, greatly detailed analysis from a Swansea perspective …
Martin O’Neill couldn’t possibly comment on such theories but is this not a game we would have lost or drawn up to the end of November? Early lead, immediate surrender of overall possession, sitting back deep, poor distribution – all the usual elements. MON’s e-mail salutes an entirely different outcome …
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.
Sixer’s half-time assessment was that since Stéphane Sessègnon’s “exquisite” 14th minute finish to put SAFC ahead, we had barely touched the ball. Even winning ugly is still winning and we have often enough played well only to lose. But games won with goals of the quality of those scored by Sess and Gardner should perhaps not be called ugly.
There really is no need for a review of the week today.
All the busy reader of Salut! Sunderland, who gets here only once in a while, needs to do is visit the home page – www.salutsunderland.com – and take a look at the six most recent articles all displayed there and available for further scrutiny.
There are lots of reasons why Monsieur Salut has never faced the dilemma of playing for another team against Sunderland.
In truth, the Sunderland link may seem slight as Afcon 2012 prepares for launch. A glance at our history offers a reminder of its mighty origins. Luke Harvey explans …
Pete Sixsmith is all heart. All but Sent to Coventry yesterday when Sky Blues fans – angered by his long memory, short beard and unkind thoughts – formed queues longer than ever seen outside the away end for SAFC v City games to have a go, he manfully accepted his punishment: a cold night out with the Reserves. And was rewarded with a goal feast …
Football fans don’t get much more involved than Jim White*, who’ll be in the away end for Sunderland v Swansea. Jim is vice-chairman of the Swans Trust (the supporters’ group that owns 20 per cent of the club, a unique phenomenon in the Premier), runs the fan site SCFC2.co.uk and gets to loads of games. Even before the fine win against Arsenal, he was enjoying the Swans’ Premier experience …