No chance of you guys going down. MON is a quality manager and I honestly think you're just 3-5 good signings away from challenging for a Europa spot. As overpriced as he is, Fletcher should do canny for you, a decent finisher is what you've been missing and that's what he is. We need you lads challenging us towards the top of the league, not resigning yourselves to mid-table mediocracy. Last season's charge under MON was exciting as hell for me as it made finishing above you feel like more of an accomplishment.
Just as a side issue here but you do remember you were not actually in this league 2 seasons ago don't you? This up there with us attitude is reminiscent of past gloating and will come back to bite you in the arse my friend. I'm well happy with our managerial appointment and our season will be just fine under him. Don't you worry too much about us and concentrate on your own struggles there.
Historically we trade places all the time, I could fine well say, "you do remember your record breaking low points tally?" but that has no bearing on this season at all as it was a completely different team, much like we are to the side that went down. Certainly didn't mean to sound like I was gloating but looking at our squad and the past two seasons I'd say it's not too far a stretch to say barring a disaster we'll be competing in the top8 again this season. For once I'm happy to say we have no real struggles to concentrate on and I think once you get a goal scorer in you'll be in the same boat. Both of us finishing above Liverpool would be great to see!
True enough, our 09/10 squad was full of 'stars' but there was no togetherness or fight. BUT with MON being famous for getting the best out of his players, I don't see you as realistic relegation candidates at all... As Cest says, you've lost Bentner and brought in Saha...From an outside perspective, Bentner was ****e, and Saha (on his day) can be great - his 'days' have been fairly sporadic, but MON, best out of his players etc. I think he'll do alright!
Yeah, I didn't see this as an arrogant comment - more a, 'its good for NE football to have 2 teams up there' kind of comment. Its not arrogant to say we had a better season than you last season, and we've still got near enough the same squad. As long there's no horrendous injuries or unforseen skullfuckery by Ashley, I think us Toon fans are justified in looking towards the coming season with a bit of expectation and pride...If that comes back to bite us in the arse, there's not a lot we can do?
To be fair you fully deserved the top NE club status as you were far better last season and I said so very gracefully in May. It wasnt luck at all but your team played at full tilt all year. I ojly made the point that all of a sudden from relegation 2 years ago you have had had one indifferent season and one excellent season back up. Now all of a sudden there is a condescending aire about some of your posts like 'come up and join us at the top table' to paraphrase. There was no pressure on you all last year but that changes this one coming but you have a decent team and 2 top class strikers so no excuses? Lol
Didn't mean to sound condescending old chap, more a case that some of your fans seem to have given up on being optimistic. If Boro can drag their arses back into the prem and the Heed make it into the league I think we may be witnessing a very bright period for our football region.
What a hollow title to have bestowed though. Unless we win something or are in danger of missing out on a e uropean spot to Sunderland I'm not really arsed where Sunderland finish. I wouldn't want them winning anything and I'll take an interest in them as a rival, but finishing top dog in the north east just seems like a bit of a mediocre target to set.
Hollow? Its only a benchmark to be fair and doesnt tell the full story but dont tell me you dont give a **** about it either. Its always good to be the better local team. Ask Liverpool fans after all their success and thay still want to finish above Everton; Utd above City (aint hard in recent years) and Arsenal fans wanted to finish above Spurs desperately last season. However, I'd be happy for us to be champions every year and you second; win every cup and you be runner up but most of all I want a successfull Sunderland long term whatever your position. With Short and MoN at the helm I couldn be more optimistic about our long term future. If you feel likewise about Ashley and Pardew then we are both happy.
I can honestly hand on heart say I do not give a **** whether we finish above Sunderland. If it meant something like Europe, a trophy or god forbid relegation for sure I would. But in terms of this mini north east league which has been bandied about by both sides over the last 10 years, I think its a bit silly given it means feck all. Bragging rights come from the derbies and yes I give a massive **** about those. But I struggle with the north east mini league. I can see why it matters to Citeh and Utd though, they get a trophy.
Derby games; being the top side from your region over a full season; having the top goalscorers; being admired from others; its all relevant in its own way but not exclusively so but doesn't lessen the importance. I want to play in Europe and follow my club there; i want to win a trophy as I was 9 the last time we won owt; I want to see Sunderland stop being a yo-yo club (we have started to change this perception in the last 5 years) and above all I want to be entertained when I watch my team. If we can do that and also finish above you and win the derby games then its icing on the cake but not the whole cake.
Any one of about 12-14 teams COULD feasibly go down this year, but all logical thought suggests than Sunderland won't go down. Plenty of worse teams.
