First of all, massive apologies to Pete Sixsmith, who intended his excellent series to end yesterday, the anniversary of his last chosen game. It was delayed not to coincide with tonight’s Capital One cup semi versus the same opposition, Man Utd, but by simple incompetence. Perhaps we were thrown by his decision to make the 12 Days a baker’s dozen …
See the full series here: https://safc.blog/category/sixers-sentiments/sunderlands-twelve-days-of-christmas/
With all these easy or easyish home draws, are we going to end up as cup winners twice over but relegated? Well, the easy bit comes top an end tomorrow night when Man Utd arrive for the first of the two legs of the Capital One Cup semis. Beatable these days but hardly a pushover for the Lads. Busby MUFC *, proper name supplied but withheld as a matter of personal choice (he cites a valid reason), was discovered at Twitter where he has no fewer than 38,000 followers …
John McCormick writes: While it’s always a pleasure to introduce a piece by Pete, having a pint with the …
If this reported extract from his book happened to be correct, Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a mild pop at Sunderland, its fans and their ‘ideas above their station’ aspirations. In the absence of the slightest sign that it is genuine, however, we should assume for now that it is a hoax, albeit a fairly clever one, perpetrated by a Mag mischief-maker …
Not sure about others, but I would sooner be a supporter of Sunderland AFC, which warts and all is a proper football club, than Manchester United, for whom I have respect and even some historic fondness but is really no more than a global brand a little like Coca-Cola or Wall-Mart.
Its “supporters” expect as of right to win each game, each competition; many of the billion or more who would describe themselves as such haven’t the faintest idea where Manchester is and will as passionately declare allegiance to Citeh or Chelsea or Arsenal a year or two from now if United’s present decline persists.
Malcolm Dawson writes…in all honesty I’m not sure many of us in our heart of hearts expected a win but as always most of us will have wished for a performance that would produce an upset. We always go in hope, even when we don’t go in expectation and for a while on Saturday, it looked as if our hopes and dreams just might come true. It was a gutsy first half followed by the down to earth reality which is part and parcel of being a Sunderland fan. As usual Peter Sixsmith was perched on his eyrie, high in the East Stand and as usual he brings us his version of events on the pitch.
At half-time, as Sunderland unexpectedly but deservedly led Manchester United one-nil after a thrilling move on the right saw Craig Gardner fire home, Pete Sixsmith‘s text combined pride and apprehension: ‘Tremendous first half. Can we hold on?’ It’s a question we tend to know the answer to. By the 62nd minute, we were 2-1 behind as Adnan Januzaj, guilty of brazen simulation on his United debut and yellow-carded for it, scored his second goal. A cheat and, for United fans, a hero in a dozen or so minutes. Pete was left ruing missed first half chances to build on the lead …
Keith Hoggins* laughs gently at Monsieur Salut’s football club, musical tastes and sport of choice as participant (scroll down for the spoof front page he designed to mark a career change** a few years ago). And M Salut mocks his former colleague’s glory-seeking support of Manchester United. That’s the authorised version; we now learn Keith started following MUFC just “as they were getting crap” and also that he not only has a soft spot for Sunderland but shares none of his fellow fans’ pantomime outrage at the Poznan prank. He sees us staying up – I wonder how many of us do – without even having to record a first home point as early as Saturday evening …
OK, it’s only Tuesday. But let’s go early this week. The Man Utd “Who are You?” is ready to run but will appear tomorrow or Thursday. No reason, though, why we shouldn’t get cracking in the build-up to Saturday evening’s momentous game with Guess the Score.
The good news is that the prize is back. The less good news is that it’s still only a mug, albeit a beautiful Salut! Sunderland mug with the promise of a suitably amended design should a United supporter emerge as the competition winner.
Salut! Sunderland’s Pete Sixsmith can remember the time when the transfer window was just an empty space covered in an old potato sack. Now the latest window has been closed, Peter gives his thoughts on the last minute activity that brought a further three players into the club …
The great day has gone and Sky Sports can put Jim White back in the cupboard until the end of January. The gossip columns go quiet for a couple of weeks before the next batch of rumours start, while the Football League loan market opens next week. And to think that I once thought that the transfer window was a good idea!
This, on a day when there seems a lull in the frantic transfer process, is priceless.
To agree with that assessment, you need only to enjoy football history, relish a rare opportunity to see Sunderland beat Everton with ease or hanker for days when commentary came in clipped military tones, boys were passed over the heads of spectators to be nearer the front and what seems like straw was thrown in the air in goal celebration.