There is plenty of speculation, as might be expected, about the futures of two managers resting in part on the outcome of tomorrow’s game at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland v Reading: are we now officially in a Sack Race? Guess the Score
Reading
SAFC v Reading Who are You?: ‘Biscuitmen to finish 16th, Sunderland not much higher’
We first met Roger Titford* – market research specialist, writer and former chairman of Reading FC’s supporters’ club, in August. As we now know, this is monsoon season in the North East and a spot of heavy rain is or was quite sufficient to defeat Sunderland AFC’s attempts to stage a height-of-summer football match. Well Roger had cried out for a return to the good old days of mud-splattered footballers so the game really ought to have been played. With Sunderland nerves now in auto-jangle – we know failure to beat Reading would be a catastrophe but how many fans feel really confident? – it’s time for another go. And it seemed right to stick with Roger and invite him to update his August answers …
Salut! Predictions League: Sunderland and Chelsea win, Newcastle and Reading draw
Stephen Goldsmith writes: Apologies for my rather botched attempt of the predictions last Saturday. Everybody must have been sick to their back teeth of my requests for their predictions; believe me, I wasn’t enjoying it either.
Add to that my computer deciding it was less competent at creating and editing Salut! posts then it was last week, and I was ready to take my fists to some machinery or other (akin to that scene from Office Space where that bloke punches his photo copier to pieces). After spending the rest of the day sulking, I have kind of made my peace with modern technology.
Sunderland v Reading, height of summer, year 2012, cancelled by rain
Monsieur Salut accepts at once that the south of France, with temperatures a hot and sticky 35 or so, is not the best place in which to raise eyebrows at events in Sunderland.
Salut!’s Week: on drawing at Arsenal, gloryseeking and guessing the Reading score
Salut! Sunderland’s headlong rush to bankruptcy leads to another outing for the win-a-mug feature, Guess the Score.
Be the first to post the correct final score on SAFC v Reading FC and you win. If you are right, but your comment was delayed for moderation, don’t worry. Time of receipt will be clear behind the scenes and will be honoured. If the winner supports Reading, I will amend the mug design accordingly.
The Reading Who are You?: ‘bring Messi and mud to the Madejski’
Roger Titford* is a market research specialist, writer and prominent follower of Reading FC, having served as chairman of the supporters’ club. In the first home ‘Who are You?’ of the season, he talks up Berkshire’s potential appeal to the stars, remembers a rare bad decision by Charlie Hurley and makes the case for muckier football …
Calling witty, warm and wise Reading, Southampton and West Ham fans
In June last year, Salut! Sunderland put out a little appeal for knowledgeable supporters of QPR, Norwich City and Swansea to offer their services as interviewees in our Who are You? series.
Muted welcomes for Reading and Southampton; mixed outlook for Wigan and Blackburn
The only certainty among the four clubs mentioned above is Reading, promoted thanks to the 1-0 win over Forest. Southampton look set to join them but may still have a little work to do while Wigan’s sensational recent wins have not yet ensured survival. Pete Sixsmith looks at the likely comings and goings and shamelessly allows his preferences to be dictated by geography, politics and beer …
Soapbox: Swansea treks, Bent duds, Jordan Henderson’s boo boys
Pete Sixsmith wonders what to do with himself now that footie is over. He casts his eye over assorted topics, and wonders whether the ominous interest from Anfield and Old Trafford will bring at last pleasure into the lives of those so eager to barrack “the best player we have produced since Colin Todd” …
The last week in May brings the end of the football season.
The so-called close season lasts for the whole month of June, unless there are exceptional circumstances like European Championship qualifiers. But local football grinds to a halt and the club committees have the opportunity to re-seed the pitches, paint the goalposts and sort out the budget for next season.
For dedicated anoraks like me, it’s a six-week period for recourse to reading books, going for walks and generally mooching around looking for something to do. Exam marking is usually on the agenda, but they have put it all online this year and I do not relish that, so may drop out.
Cup wishlist: Man United, Man City out. Arsenal or Reading’s trophy
Image: Salut! Sunderland has absolutely nothing against the city of Manchester. We hold no grudges against Stoke or Bolton.
But choices have to be made. Sunderland’s humiliating exit at the earliest possible stage of the FA Cup means we have been able to pick our runners at will in subsequent rounds.
So to do our bit to restore interest in the ailing old competition, colours will now be nailed to the FA Cup mast.