The Chapman Report: script rewritten by defensive calamities at Reading and Newcastle’s comeback

Bob gets his very own graphic, courtesy of Jake
Bob gets his very own graphic, courtesy of Jake

Into Sixer’s shoes once again steps Bob Chapman‘s, our star writer having maintained his pickiness with long away trips (and even a few short home ones). Jon Keen, who writes for the Reading pages at ESPN, thought Sunderland ‘the worst team to visit the MadStad this season’. Supersub Bob could not see us losing from the moment Gardner struck home his penalty equaliser, just as many expected a comfortable Chelsea cruise once they went ahead at St James’ Park. Instead, characteristic defensive lapses and unconvincing finishing by SAFC, and Chelsea’s surrender on Tyneside, left him fearing the worst for his ‘Sunderland eighth, NUFC relegated’ pre-season wager …

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Wigan done and dusted: now guess SAFC v Swansea and Reading scores

'Tight git, giving one away but with strings', says Jake
‘Tight git, giving one away but with strings’, says Jake

The update is that if Heathrow can see its way clear to letting Monsieur Salut’s plane take off, holidays in Sri Lanka beckon. Salut! Sunderland‘s deputy editor, Malcolm Dawson, has already reached exotic parts, Lytham St Annes, and is there for a few days.

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