Peter Lynn, also known as Wrinkly Pete, has an an imaginary crystal ball that enables him to predict the outcome of each game and check how it affects his once-firm belief that Sunderland would survive on 37 points. That tally is now pretty much impossible but Pete still sees us finishing on 35. Probably not enough and there’s also a health warning: some of those predictions look a little optimistic – as well as pre-supposing that Hull and Swansea take no more than five and seven points respectively from their remaining games…
Apr 9 Man U (h) Prediction: Well, if Lord Murdoch can change the date to suit himself, I can change the result – Draw.
Reality: Hmmmmmm … it’s that “assumption” that has done for me again. I was assuming that the referee would (a) be competent and (b) be neutral or if not neutral then be home biased as is often the case. Ouch!
It will be of no comfort when – not if – Larsson’s red card is rescinded as the result will stand and all the spectators will have been denied the chance to see a proper contest.
This referee lost control of this game in the first few minutes when he allowed the Man Utd players to decide where to take free kicks from. Eventually, of course, our players too ignored the rules of the game and the officials.
Now I, like others writing on this site, am not trying to suggest we are rooted to the bottom of the league because of this referee but it doesn’t help and adds to all the other negative things that have happened this season which will probably relegate us.
I (like others) thought there were a number of positives for us in the performance. Cattermole has shown what a loss he has been all season, allowing Ndong to play further forward, Anichebe has given us not only a second threat up front but also given the defence an ”out ball” to allow them a breather and chance to regroup and Pickford continues to not only save goals but with his distribution to create chances too.
Unfortunately, I am going to close this update with another go at those “supporters” who were leaving in their thousands before the third goal went in. I know it is painful, I know we have only won 23 out of 92 home games since 2012 but when 10 men have given their all against 11, please have the decency to stay and applaud them off the pitch.
Wrinkly Pete 11/4/17.
Apr 15 West Ham (h) Win. We get revenge with a 1-0 win in the 94th minute.
(TBA) Arsenal (a) Lose. Miffed at not being in the FA cup semi-final, The Gunners take it out on us, with the four foot tall Sanchez getting a hat trick of headed goals.
Apr 26 Boro (a) Win
Apr 29 Bournemouth (h) Win.
May 6 Hull (a) Win. Hull become our Norwich of last season as we secure their relegation.
May 13 Swansea (h) Win. Swansea, who are already down, give in to allow us to escape again.
May 21 Chelsea (a) Lose. Who cares?
We survive with 35 points, two fewer than I thought we would need and two more than David Moyes predicted we would need and thus he is given the freedom of the city!
Wrinkly Pete.
Two quid will buy you a pint in Wetherspoons Pete. Don’t bother with the lottery – have a Doombar instead.