Iain Dale - SAFC Blog

This is it. A season that has been disastrous for one club and disappointing for the other draws to a close with a game that means a lot in pride but nothing in substance. Sunderland supporters are entitled to expect a performance full of passion and desire; as someone said the other day, we’re always entitled to expect it. But think of some of the end-of-season flops of recent seasons, Bolton and Wolves springing excruciatingly to mind, and you see why it seems important to make a special plea today. Niall Quinn has promised an inquest on the season now ending. Salut! Sunderland‘s will begin in the days to come. For now, we offer a second chance to see the interview with the Hammers-supporting writer and broadcaster Iain Dale*, who also runs the West Ham Til I Die blog …

A meaningless end-of-season match, a pointless edition of “Who are You?”? … Only in the sense that they’re down and we’re safe. Beyond that, Sunderland have masses of pride to play for – we cannot finish lower than 14th but 14th would represent failure – and Steve Bruce’s team should want to preserve their one notable achievement: unbeaten in London. For their part West Ham players have to show their fans they care about restoring the club to the Premier. And we close this season’s series on a high, with the Hammers-supporting writer and broadcaster Iain Dale*, who also runs the West Ham Til I Die blog. He is optimistic about a quick return, sees us as a similar club that will always collapse into dire runs and eulogises the surely departing Scott Parker …

The West Ham ‘Who are You?’: Sunderland ‘a bit like us’

West Ham v Sunderland: ‘what did Bruce do to our worldbeating McCartney?’