The great Guess the Score rollover: SAFC v Stoke – Wembley-bound again?

No one, it seemed, had a dour enough disposition to suggest we’d be reduced to a wretched 0-0 draw. As Jeremy Robson has pointed out on these pages, that’s now two visits to promoted sides without a goal and with no more than a point.

Even before Eric Bowers popped up to say I must have overlooked a clearly invalid 0-0 entry from Cyprus, Monsieur Salut had decided in his headlong rush toward Queer Street to turn disappointment to virtue.

The Capital One Cup tie against Stoke City will be a rollover whether or not our kind sponsors at Personalised Football Gifts offer a second mug. In other words, the prize is two. Almost, though not quite, like winning the lottery after a week without a winner. And Eric, who gets these things right too often, still stands to collect his umpteenth mug.

Pay attention. Big prizes at stake, so clear rules.

Guess the Score at the end of full time or, if necessary, extra time. If Sunderland or Stoke draw 2-2 AET and one of them then go on to win 4-2 on penalties, the shootout is irrelevant to this competition. Two-two would be the winner. Whoever you support, be the first to get it right and post it, before kickoff, and we’ll do the rest. A Stoke winner would receive a Stoke-related pair of mugs.

M Salut’s decision is final.

As for the match, exiles will presumably rely on the consistently excellent radio coverage by Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett since streams, even dodgy stream as most are, may be hard to come by. And if you cannot simply tune to BBC Radio Newcastle, it’s free through the club site at http://www.safc.com/safsee provided you register.

It is no hardship to follow Sunderland games via Barnes & Benno. Considering what they, along with Sixer and so many more, put up with, especially on their travels, it’s a wonder they bring games to life as well as they do. Not every fan agrees: there was hell to pay at halftime against Birmingham, when 3-0 to us would have seemed a laughable outcome. The flak was enough to suggest listeners held B&B responsible for the dross they were reporting on.

On Saturday, this admirable service to Sunderland supporters was uplifted, though such a pulsating game needed no such enhancement, by regular visits to Martin Emmerson at Lords. While one Durham county team – historical reference – could only draw, another was on course to a famous victory and Martin’s updates were much appreciated.

Tuesday gives Poyet’s stop-start squad a new chance to show another Wembley dream may not be beyond reach.

Have a go at the score, prior to any penalty shootout, and – as ever – Ha’way the Lads.

See also: the SAFC vs Stoke City Who are You? at https://safc.blog/2014/09/safc-v-stoke-city-who-are-you-beyond-puliss-hoofball-listening-pelligrini/

Sample:

Salut! Sunderland: The Sunderland Old Boys look of your squad is now pretty much a thing of the past, with only Phil Bardsley and, as what looks a little like third choice as keeper, Tommy Sorensen, as the remaining direct links. How is Bardo doing and what is your assessment of the others, Tommy and those no longer with you (Collins, Whitehead, Kenwyne, Higginbotham, Lawrenece etc)?

Mike Alderson, Stoke supporter: Bardsley has had a steady start, I haven’t seen enough of him yet to have a strong opinion. Over the years though we have had some good servants from Sunderland many of which I think have perhaps done better for us than they did for you. Sorenson, Whitehead, and Higginbotham (who we sold to you before you sold him back) have all been very dependable players who you could rely on giving you an honest hard working shift every time they pulled on the shirt.Liam Lawrence was a bit of a hero, especially in our promotion season and was very popular but Delap is the player who probably made the biggest difference. What a great professional and “that throw” that won us so many points in our first season up, The funny thing is I don’t remember either Sunderland or Southampton taking advantage of this rare skill when he was in their teams (some of us struggle to recall his throw-ins at all – Ed).