The first time I looked, Sunderland were winning 4-1 against Hull City in Portugal and Campbell, Fraizer not Sol, had scored all four of our goals in the first 34 minutes. The next time I looked it was 4-2 and not far from the final whistle. And my third glance showed that to be the final score.
Viewed remotely, it is not easy to judge the night’s proceedings. The official club site talked about Waghorn putting in a “decent shift”, and had moments of praise and implied criticism for our new Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet.
This is how the club site reported the second Hull goal:
Hull win a corner through Jamie Devitt and Nick Barmby is there to eventually glance home from close range after Mignolet had missed the cross.
But this is how they told us about an earlier incident:
Simon Mignolet, take a bow. The Belgian pulls out a delightful Cruyff turn to baffle his opponent under pressure. Perhaps he should’ve just launched it, but meh – the Estadio Municipal de Algarve enjoyed it.
So a thumping win for SAFC and a 1-1 draw for Mignolet.
But it is fitting that Fraizer Campbell, the player who impressed most with vastly improved performances towards the end of last season, should be so up for it even before the new one starts (he also got the equaliser the other night against Brighton).
Let us hope this tells us something about the coming season. Some of us believe Campbell could be a really good player for us in the Premier.
Thoughts from anyone who saw the game welcomed!
Starting line-up tonight was:
Mignolet, Angeleri, Al-Muhammadi, Jones, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Henderson, Malbranque, Zenden, Waghorn, Campbell
Substitutes; Subs: Bent, Carson, Kay, Weir
Colin Randall
Perhaps, too, some credit should go to Malbranque who set up three of the four goals for Campbell to score.
Who needs Ronaldo?
Splendid comment Tony; couldn’t agree more. Working for Salut is worse than working for Conrad Black. Not that I am suggesting the proprietor will end up in chokey!!!
I am off to Hoffenheim though. Reports to flow if I can keep off the German bier.
According to my impeccable source in Albufeira, SNQ sought out the gobshite from the other night and had a word with him. Whether a hurling stick was used, I know not.
Anything in the positive has to be good news. If it had been the Sixers report I would have known it to be true. Salut should have paid his expenses for the trip.