Football has a very short memory. He will be remembered for quitting. When Stoke boot him in touch, because he creates a knackered old style of football and signs plodders who produce survival football, his next interview will start with "why did you quit at Sunderland, we are worried you might be a bit of a sulky prima dona". I miss him not one bit, absolute dullard.
This may sound ridiculous, but in my opinion he benefitted hugely from what Lee Johnson has done, and what Speakman had supported Johnson in. Johnson had a major hand in signing Stewart, Baath, Roberts, Pritchard. He was key in persuading Embleton to stay. The training ground work, by all accounts, was spot on under Johnson. Neil locked in on being functional and got us on a roll. He finished a job Johnson maybe wouldnt have but I will make a suggestion - in 5 years time Neil will be scrambling round for work and Johnson will be on an upward curve, back in the championship.
Can't argue with that at all. We were in a great position and had players with heart, Stoke look gutless.
He should be able to answer a question without making barely concealed references to the job he left. It's not the first time. He's gone and that's it. He's a decent manager at this level and that's it. If he doesn't have Stoke top six next season, he'll be gone from there too. He obviously knows this, hence the cry for more time when he's just got there.
No it's not ridiculous. If Neil doesn't cut it at Stoke he'll be gone. And his next job won't be at the level of Stoke or Sunderland. He left for more money, which is fair enough, I've done the same thing many times, but I've never pretended it was anything else. The long term might not work out that well for him.
Was discussing this yesterday with the lads. There are some players and managers who just fit a club. It's a perfect storm that rarely happens at other clubs for that individual - think Allardyce in 2016, or Darren Bent in 2010 then they leave controversially and never hit those same heights. I can see Alex Neil doing the same - he seemed the perfect fit here. He achieved success, the fans and the players were all aligned and it just clicked. He might tell us all in his autobiography how the club lied to him, or failed to back him etc etc but the reality is that he agreed to work with the model that Speakmann and KLD proposed, then changed his mind when he was able to double his salary. **** him
I haven’t read the article because I couldn’t care less about him, but he was asked if he regrets leaving us at a Stoke City press conference. Of course he is going to go into defence mode.
Read the article is my advice. Some barely disguised digs at our approach and our ownership. Not the first time either. He used us. We got a boost, so no real problems, and he didnt stay around to do damage. But it seems he took his money from us under false pretences, to me at least.
Yet 6 months ago he was our messiah. That day at Wembley is probably my best in 40 years supporting Sunderland
I was asked about my best moment as a supporter recently. I thought about our play off win at the mags. I thought about Reid winning 100 points and 100 goals. I thought about games in the 85 cup. But my favourite all time game is the Chelsea replay on 92. I dont think I have ever felt so bloody good in all my life that night on the fulwell. There was something about that feeling that still remains clear in my mind. I can still see Paul Elliott at the end applauding us lot.
I think there have been many wonderful moments in our history without any sustained periods of success. The 1st 4 seasons at the SOL are the closest we have come in my lifetime. I've enjoyed many, many amazing nights supporting Sunderland but that day at Wembley was the best - I know it was "only" the L1 play off final, but to be there with my best mates, my son and my Dad as well as a couple of twitter randoms I was able to help out with tickets was just amazing. I couldn't stop smiling all weekend. Just fantastic
Without wishing to be over dramatic, the Sunderland support was like one huge living organism. Everyone believed, everyone sang and everyone gave it everything they had ... ... the Wycombe supporters and players visibly wilted, incredible experience.
Agree completely - that whole weekend. I drove 5 of us down in my truck, one of the lads had prepared a playlist, the kids were well behaved, we met up with my Dad and got down to Wembley 2 hours before kick off and got on the beers. The entire match went by in a flash, The singing and dancing, the chaos at the hotel afterwards. ****ing amazing
I said it before the game and got ridiculed by the Wycombe forum but there was no way we were losing that game. Just not a chance. We were a force of nature that day
Spent the last 30 mins watching every youtube video I could find about the play off final. Go to bed you dick!
I think if he was honest and at least acknowledged that money and location had a huge bearing in his decision to leave instead of spewing out bollocks about how the owners allow him to do this and that, I would have more respect for him. If another company offered me a boat load of a cash to something I am already doing, i'd be off in a shot...anyone would. He could have been a legend at Sunderland...The money would have been forthcoming...I have no doubts. Sadly where he lives, we can't do anything about. But his actions will no doubt alert other clubs as and when he gets the shove at Stoke....
