John McCormick writes: I’m remaining neutral in respect of a preference for promotion but I have to express an opinion about last night’s result. While we were outplayed for a lot of the second half Fulham only won because of two decisions the ref got wrong. One was to allow a goal where the scorer had moved offside before a free kick was taken – a close decision, this, and perhaps forgivable to get wrong. The other was much clearer, although I didn’t see it until a post-game replay. We should have had a penalty. That we didn’t hardly affects us but there may be consequences for Cardiff.
Bob Chapman, our man at the match, may not agree with me and I won’t know for a while as his report is expected to be late in arriving. To keep us occupied and entertained until it does here’s a little something from Pete Sixsmith. I’ve given you Patrick and Jozy, can you put names to the other faces?
Louise Taylor
Sixer Says: can’t play like Chelsea, can talk total sport to The Guardian
John McCormick writes:some 7,687 votes have been cast in our relegation poll. I wonder if Guardian writer Louise Taylor is among the voters. She’s one of a team that predict we’ll finish 15th, according to the opening line of her assessment of our chances for this season.
Thuggery to eloquence: is Joey Barton still a ‘complete plonker’?
That description came not from a blinkered Sunderland fan but, or so it is said, the Newcastle United dressing room. Salut! Sunderland applauds a straining-to-be-fair-but-honest appraisal of Joey Barton …
No one living outside the strangely mixed mind of the Newcastle United midfielder truly knows the answer to the question posed in the headline.
Soapbox: Peter Reid cheering up Plymouth Argyle
It is baffling how some people manage to look back on Peter Reid’s time at Sunderland and remember only the atrocious slump that brought his reign to an end. Inspired by a excellent Louise Taylor article on the fight Reid has on his hands at Plymouth Argyle, Pete Sixsmith applies some balance – and wishes Reid well in the uphill struggle he’s taken on …
Louise Taylor wrote a super piece in yesterday’s Guardian about Peter Reid and his travails at Plymouth Argyle. The gist was that Reidy was the guy who was holding Argyle together as their financial crisis reached Irish government proportions. No owners, no money, a points deduction and almost certain relegation to the bottom division – and the very clear possibility of liquidation.
It was a very affectionate article from someone who probably had dealings with Reid when he was in his pomp at Sunderland. He was not universally popular amongst the press corps. Apparently, he could be witty and amusing but also rude and boorish and I am sure that Louise witnessed both sides of his character.