Steve McClaren
Malcolm Dawson writes…….for our pre derby WAY we enter the cloistered world of academia and find Durham University don Adrian Darnell proving that the phrase “intelligent Newcastle United fan” does not have to be an oxymoron. Adrian and I regularly cross swords over the Bridge table, where he is happy to play in Hearts and Diamonds, but steadfastly refuses to back my campaign to have our regular packs of cards replaced with those where Clubs are green and Spades are blue. The past couple of weeks have seen the boardrooms of both clubs in turmoil for different reasons, but it’s the action on the pitch that is in the forefront of our minds this week. Here’s how Adrian sees things in black and white with an honest and thoughtful set of answers.Salut! History (3): massacred by Middlesbrough, but Mick’s no quitter
In the first two extracts from his book, Sing When You’re Winning, Colin Irwin trod the familiar path of Sunderland’s history: early glory, post-war turbulence and 1973 fairytale (with as much literary licence as the Brothers Grimm). He left us with the anxiety of relegation-haunted fans as kickoff neared in SAFC v Boro in Jan 2006 …
Not that the nail biting lasts for long. Sunderland forget that Emanuel Pogatetz, the big lad strolling into their penalty area when Middlesbrough are awarded a free kick just outside the box, isn’t there to discuss the latest bargains at B&Q and may have evil intent.