For the second time in recent games we had more possession than our opponents, yet were beaten. I said the first time that the defeat had to be a message, for our players, for our manager and, above all, for our owner. They don’t appear to have understood, so Sheffield United obligingly repeated it.
If that’s not enough Pete Sixsmith’s seven word text, sent immediately after the final whistle, puts it simply:
September 9 Sunderland 1 (0) Sheffield United 2 (1) no tactics, appalling team selection,
total embarrassment
August 26 Barnsley 3 (2) Sunderland 0 (0) Alarm bells clanging after a dreadful performance
August 22 League Cup: Carlisle United (0) 1 Sunderland (1) 2 Classy finish by Gooch masks scrappy performance
August 19 SAFC 0 (0) Leeds United 2 (1) Weaknesses exposed by a solid Leeds team
August 16 Sheffield Wednesday (0) 1 Sunderland (1) 1 Looked tired in second half. Decent point
August 13 Norwich City 1 (0) Sunderland 3 (1) Very well organised and three cracking goals
August 8 League Cup: Bury 0 (0) Sunderland (0) 1 Hardly convincing but a win’s a win
August 4 2017 Sunderland (1) 1 Derby County (1) 1 Encouraging second half. Something to build on
I don’t get to many home games now that I live in Staffordshire, but met up with a couple of old friends recently for a Public Service Broadcasting gig in Magland.
Neither have renewed their season tickets, after 50 years of following the Lads. Both feel so let down, used to be we would say “At least they tried,” but the fans don’t even get honest effort from these charlatans.
On a happier note, check out PSB’s new album Every Valley, it’s an innovative and emotional work about the South Wales mining community that anyone from the north-east can relate to.
GIG not you
On the mining theme ,to add insult to injury the club have released a limited edition third kit that apparently pays homage to our history and the club are using a mining theme to promote it . The clowns in charge of this club couldn’t understand less our industrial heritage and the mind set that goes with it any less . It’s a nice shirt by the way ,but Short isn’t getting another penny of my money .
I should also have mentioned Drummer, that in the mid-90s I was one of the original Supporters Action For Change gang, along with Tom Lynn and co. Our first meeting comprised 8 diehards on a freezing snowy early evening at the Ropery pub. It was amazing the way most of the fans subsequently got behind us, and, of course, the local media simply loved it.
I wonder if Short would react with the same legal recourse Murray eventually did, or if fans are now just too apathetic.
We are apathetic and the nature of the stadium with everyone spread out is leading to a lack of unity amongst the fans . As you say , what could we achieve? Short has obviously given up and unless a knight or Lady on a white charger comes to our rescue soon we’ll be lucky to avoid relegation . The puddings on the pitch could give us something to get behind of course , or am I simply delusional?
Yes, I well remember the Mcmenemy era and this strikes me as even worse. Yesterday was just shocking. For the first time, I was less than impressed by the manager after the game. He has made his stance on honesty and taking responsibility and I had expected him to come out and do just that after this dreadful showing. He didn’t. Almost Moyes like, he repeated several times that the problems had been there ‘for some time’. In other words – ‘don’t blame me mate!’
Several aspects of yesterday were down to Simon Grayson. The ridiculous tactical ploy of 3 centre backs which clearly didn’t work for several players. The selection of Galloway, Rodwell and Vaughan and the lack of application throughout. These are all Grayson’s responsibility. If he goes down the line of blaming others he will look back on that decision as the start of his downfall.
On the wider front, where do we go from here? I am starting to wish that somebody will organise a boycott so that at least we can stay away in unison and let Short know how we feel. Otherwise, this is going to be death by a thousand cuts as people justifiably dribble away but by bit. Attendance predictions for Tuesday night anyone?
I’m starting to think of a boycott, what else have we got ? I’ve paid for my season ticket yet again and at the minute I feel like turning it in . Yesterday was abysmal, a pathetic, display on the pitch , a half empty stadium ( it seemed ) and humiliated on and off the pitch by United and their fans . Hands up ,I didn’t sing , I could barely raise a “come on “, maybe it’s all our fault all along , the mugs that turn up every week and prolong this death rattle ?
I genuinely fear for the continued existence of our club in the near future . This is worse than than the Mackemenemy era and the scandalous thing is we have an owner who could’ve stoppec this had he so wished .For pity’s sake sell up Short and give us hope at least , we haven’t even got that .