The only thought that came to mind after the defeat at Everton was “that sinking feeling”. And so the phrase appeared in my headline for Sixer’s Sevens, Pete Sixsmith’s traditional seven-word verdict.
Despite – maybe because of – having supported Sunderland since the days of Charlie Hurley and Brian Clough, I cannot now approach any game without the same pessimism.
And when I look at Newcastle jubilation over a crucial victory at Brighton, I think not of “that’s us next season” but find myself looking down the Championship table to see that a Villa win left them no higher than 15th. Is that not more likely to be our fate assuming we go down?
But hey!!! Man City at home on Sunday. Between 2010 and 2013, that was a fixture we could count on winning. And we did, 1-0 each time in four successive seasons. Darren Bent, Ji Dong-won, Adam Johnson and Phil Bardsley – in that order, I think – were the scorers.
Can we do it again? Can Bradley Lowery’s hero, Jermain Defoe, grab a quite unexpected winner?
S0 Guess the Score, entries below …
And when it comes to the prize, let us give a rest to the mug’s game, namely promising two mugs to the first reader to post the correct, Sunderland-winning scoreline.
Instead we offer a copy of Nick Barnes’s Matchbook, mini version, to ANYONE who gets the scoreline right (and first). Tales from the Red and Whites are paying a fiver for each order into the Bradley campaign so Salut! Sunderlannd will opt wholeheartedly into that.
Usual rules apply: Man City fans are welcome to enter but the prize will be the same and why not, since Bradley’s fight has gripped the nation.
Colin Randall
1 -1 . I’m being ridiculously optimistic
PS – I already have a copy of the prize so if I’m right with either score I’ll up my DD to the Anthony Nolan Trust by a fiver a month.
https://www.anthonynolan.org/
After today’s games we can get to 18th and go above Boro if we beat Man City 13-0.
13-0 it is then with a Djilibodji hat trick, Pickford getting two – one a kick upfield that goes straight in and a headed goal in time added on when Moyes encourages him to go up for a corner so we can boost the goal difference.
JD misses two penalties and Borini nets with a 30 yard overhead kick.
Well it’s about as likely as any other home win but in reality I’ll settle for 1-1 with absolutely no confidence.
0-4.
The hype around Pickford is ridiculous. Great shot stopper but no real command of his area.
Misery Moyes, who makes Howard Wilkinson look like one of the Chuckle Brothers, said in his press conference yesterday that Sunderland are where he expected them to be at this stage and that he predicted a relegation battle earlier in the season. Yes #miserymoyes you suggested we were shite after the second game of the season v Boro at home. How admirable your foresight is.
Personally if like to see a bit of reverse psychology from you in the public arena. Start by saying you feel proud to be at a historically famous club with a support as loyal and fanatical as anywhere in the world (still getting 40k plus despite division three, 19 and 15 point seasons, constant battles against relegation and selling any decent player we have) and that although we have injury problems you believe in your players and staff and that we will fight all the way to do justice to the name of the club and its superb fan base.
Your largely pathetic signings, inconsistent team selections and hideously miserable personna in the public arena have undoubtedly contributed to our current position and inability to win football matches. Once again after the Everton defeat last weekend you mentioned a lack of quality at least three times in a two minute interview. How do you think your players feel hearing and reading this and similar negative crap on an almost weekly basis?
I know how I feel now by you. Utterly depressed and worried about our future. I want stability and want you to do well David, but to date you worry the hell out of me.
Grow up and show some defiance please.
The Lads to win 3-1 and head up the table.
Like others I’ll go for a Pickford spectacular [ following in the immortal footsteps of the one and only Monty ] frustrating City, and a precious point for Sunderland.
0 – 0
A Pickford performance provides Pep with a pointer towards his next goalie.
I can’t see anything other than a magnificent 3-0 victory for the lads.
SAFC 3 – 2 City, hopefully they will be tired after last nights exertions, however its optimistic bearing in mind their third string could beat us!!!
1-0 to the lads as usual
Pickford magnificent but still concedes three!. However, we match them………. 3-3.
2-0 Defoe &Borini
Sorry – I’ll go for 0-3 but hope I’m wrong and Bradley sees his hero get a hat-trick.
2-1 to Sunderland.
Sunderland 0 Manchester City 1
Thanks to Jordan Pickford,
Three One (optimist that I am) to Man City.
We had that run of 1-0 wins against them but I can’t see us getting anything against Citeh.
I hope we get a win but Sunderland 0 Man City 2
Unfortunately we lost but I win the Matchbook.
Thanks M. Salut.