Gareth Barker - SAFC Blog

Salut Reflections: envying Man City and Swansea as Sunderland settle for passion

February 27, 2013 by Colin Randall

I read with some amusement all the patronising tweets that flew in the direction of the Bradford fans and players in the aftermath of the mauling they received from Swansea in the Capital whatsitsname Cup final on Sunday, says Stephen Goldsmith.

I didn’t feel sorry for them, they earned their place there and deserved to be treated as equals on the day. The same rule applies for the keeper being shown the red card, why shouldn’t he have been? The question on our collective lips was obvious, however, and Salut! Sunderland’s Gareth Barker speaks for us all when he asks…

WHY NEVER US?

Meanwhile, in a parallel Sunderland universe…

February 5, 2013February 5, 2013 by Colin Randall

Stephen Goldsmith writes, Well I have finally managed to find the log in details that were stashed away in an offline safe, following the site being hacked by our Iraqi friends. In a new monthly feature, the returning and permanent Gareth Barker explains what may well have been if those little game changing-incidents had panned out differently. So we bring you…

Meanwhile, in a parallel SAFC universe…

O’Neill One Year On: (5) remember, remember the 4th of December (walloping Chelsea)

December 5, 2012December 5, 2012 by malcolm

In the final part of Salut! Sunderland‘s mini series looking back at Martin O’Neill’s first year at the Stadium of Light (read the first four via the home page) Pete Sixsmith recalls Decembers of the past, one when the Lads put in a performance to remember, helped in no small part by an unsung Frenchman, another when a feisty Irishman called it a day and finally one which saw the arrival of another saviour, this time from the northern part of the Emerald Isle.

Sixer gives his thoughts on yer man’s first 12 months …

O’Neill One Year On: (3) trivial pursuit or action man this Christmas?

December 5, 2012December 5, 2012 by malcolm

In the third of our series looking back at Martin O’Neill’s first term in office, (visit the home page salutsunderland.com to see the first two) we welcome a new contributor, Gareth Barker who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past and of Christmas yet to come. Pete Sixsmith will, in his own inimitable style, round off our offerings later today but before that let Gareth explain why Martin O’Neill may just be the gift we always wanted.