John McCormick writes: I’m running out of optimism. Last week was bad (plus the train cost me £56) and this …
Malcolm Dawson writes….. Every cliché in the book was utilised in the run up to this game. A must win, …
Pete Sixsmith felt cheated. Not because he believes Gus Poyet or the team deliberately lost, but because he was obliged to sit through a dreadful display against moderate opponents that exposed glaring weaknesses in the squad. We must all hope to find him in better spirits at tea-time six days from now …
John McCormick writes:Time will tell whether or not Gus got this one right. I knew he’d make changes. I knew he’d start Scorchio. I expected Fletch to get more time on the clock. But I didn’t expect the Gaffer to say to Catts:
“We can’t afford a replay. Even if you get a booking I’m keeping you on the pitch and, if there’s any chance of a draw, I want you to give them a couple of goals”
Colin Randall writes: I snapped away last night at the London and SE SAFCSA branch eve-of-final social and today in the approach to the game. I am full of admiration for them, full of contempt for the Tory MP, Robert Halfon, who oafishly tweeted: “Went to London for dinner. Wish I hadn’t. Scumbag football hooligans turn Covent Garden into a disgusting cesspit.” By all accounts of police reaction I heard, our supporters were numerous but good-natured. And as Gus Poyet says in post-match e-mail taking justified pride in the way his players performed, the fans inside Wembley were outstanding. Three-one was a cruel result; City’s second-half recovery was explosive but short and getting to extra time would not have flattered Sunderland ..
Peter Lynn – Wrinkly Pete on his own description – was there in 1973 and will be there again on Sunday. Here, he takes issue with Gus Poyet’s comment that winning a cup seemed more important to Sunderland fans than staying up. Tongue in cheek, Pete also calculates how we might have left Arsenal with a point and urges the team to rise to the occasion as memorably as the class of ’73
Still they keep coming. Eric Sweeney has not written for Salut! Sunderland for some time but, like so many others, has been spurred into action by the heartwarming Wembley run (s), Gus Poyet’s battling leadership and that familiar enemy – hope …
Grant Tunkel is one of the ever increasing band of Salut! Sunderland contributors who follow the club from the other …
John McCormick writes Pete Sixsmith found no positives in our performance at the Emirates today. I differ but only in that Catts didn’t get a red card and nor did Wes Brown, so both are available for next week. I was concerned to find Fletcher didn’t make the bench and hope we find a forward by the time I get to Wembley. But what of Gus? Did he take anything from the game? Here, in his post-match letter to M Salut, and maybe a couple of others, he gives us his view:
Malcolm Dawson writes there was no arguing in the North West Corner over the sending off. There was no sense …