Salut! Sunderland writers posed the questions and Charlie Methven, our chairman Stewart Donald’s right-hand man, answered then.
In the first round, our star writer Pete Sixsmith – teacher, 50+ years a supporter and as knowledgeable about football as they come – dealt with perceptions and realism. His questions can be summarised in this way: it’s all very well having a good, encouraging start for the new regime, with bags of enthusiasm among the fans, but what if things go wrong?
Salut! Sunderland was asking the questions. But Charlie Methven, Stewart Donald’s executive director and minority shareholder in the post-Ellis Short SAFC, had one for us: ‘How are we doing so far?’
Monsieur Salut, who worked with Charlie and has been delighted to renew an amicable acquaintance, gave the truthful response. On balance, a fine and encouraging start …
This tweet, from a Twitter contact (we follow each other), caught the attention.
Well Mr Paddy McNair I do not wish you good luck. Sorry and all that but all you’ve done here is be injured and then give no payback. Massively disappointed in you. That’s my opinion and I’m allowed it so if you want to argue, don’t bother.
— Julie (@juliesund) June 18, 2018
Julie is somehow both right and wrong.
Pete Sixsmith is on leave. In his place, Benjamin the Donkey interprets his thoughts … unless it’s Sixer in disguise
As is well known around the area, we donkeys are noted for our cynicism and unwillingness to believe that, to quote the song, “Things Can Only Get Better”.
The general consensus amongst we members of the Equus Asinus family is that things rarely do get better and more often end up a damn sight worse.
For what it is worth, the bookies are already putting Sunderland among favourites to go up from League One next season. But as you’ll see at Betway sports betting they are naturally more concerned just now with flutters on the World Cup.
Unless we count Wahbi Khazri, whose form since going on loan to Rennes has won him a place in Tunisia’s provisional World Cup squad, the only Sunderland player who may feature in Russia is Bryan Oviedo, with Costa Rica. Senegal obviously had Papy Djilobodji watched while he was at Sunderland, where he was wretched, and not on loan at Dijon where he was a lot less accident-prone. In any case, none of the three seems remotely likely to be at the Stadium of Light when the League One season kicks off …
Monsieur Salut knew, or had a good idea, this was coming, but thought it prudent not to say. Now it has happened. Martin Bain, CEO of Sunderland AFC, is now Martin Bain, ex-CEO of SAFC. No one takes his place because the “place” has been declared surplus to requirements – quite a dramatic change from being one considered worthy of £1.2m a year.