Big game tomorrow lads, could go either way. We're week five into not just a new season, but a new sunderland, a new infrastructure, a new attitude. Paolo has had time with the squad now and I'm very happy to see that with in regards to our new signings, only one player of a very large recruitment drive seems to be falling by the way side under the eyes of a man with the highest professional standards in which we've ever seen. Remember the constant reassurances of Journos, pundits and opposing fans (even some of our own) who told us this 'time bomb' of a manager would divide the dressing room. Yet where is this Chaos? Admittedly there's still time even though he's surpassed a time length many had given him to lose the dressing room. Paolo has always maintained nobody will be frozen out. Even Bardo will get his treatment and training. Bardos suspension cleary came from above Paolo's head imo(Maybe with or without Paolo's recommendation who knows). Catts was for sale, lets face it. But nobody anywhere can deliver any proof whatsoever that he was frozen out or given '2nd chances'. His injury took a bit longer to heal so missed the window(fortunately). The lad has decided to fight for future and show his worth. I can imagine Ellis pointing Catts out from the squad list saying 'high wages, rarely plays from injury or suspension' and Paolo saying 'lets move him on then'. The lad has put himself in contention. Of our long term injury list Fletch, Cats and Brown have all trained alone and subscribed to Claudio Donatelli's insane fitness program to get fit and join the rest of the squad. A testament to the players and to Paolo me thinks. Remember who this Catts was? Dirty Bastard, ill disciplined, trouble causer. He's come through one of the most fierce training routines to put himself back in contention under Paolos 'Terrible player management'. Credit to all parties I say. Like Pops said on another thread. "Alfie & Cabral take note." Damn right mate, add any Lee Cattermole or Paolo Player Management doubters to that list too. All doubters here have embarrassed themselves in my eyes. I'm seeing a squad of players who are fully committed, trying to play good football and getting to know each other. We've got a previously exiled player apologizing, tail between legs. We've got the unprofessional Squad bad boy proving his fitness and impressing the most professionally demanding coach in the league. Bad player management? Get away! I'm getting more confident with our club by the day and even if we're still in single figures by Christmas, I won't be spitting my dummy like some have done already. I can see the bigger picture and it's a work of art. Lets talk about responsibility. No player can coast through games without being held responsible for their actions. Even the Senior JoS has not been able to escape that one. But where is this divide? Where is this gulf that split our squad into segments? I can't see it can you? The Football. Not since Keano's promotion season have we been able to put 3 passes together yet even with the likes of Vaughan who couldn't get a game under MoN, the football is considerably better. Fair play, we know some players can't and won't cut it but Paolo is still learning about his squad and he's working with what he's got under what was a very financially strict transfer window. Despite long spells of disorganisation and expected teething problems, we've seen 90 minutes against Fulham and a half hour against the mighty Arsenal where we've played at a level and with an elegance which I've never seen in my 32 years on this planet as a Sunderland supporter. The return of class like fletcher has shown the danger in our ranks. Early signs of Ki show we have a dangerous player who can connect defence with attack, whilst keeping his head down and not making a fuss. We have Beast for across the waves whose strong and hungry, a right back who's very impressive. Our Goalkeeper is already comforting us with Mig-esque saves. a Lb who's converted from midfield and developed his game in one summer so that he can overlap and hit the byline. The squad are united, they're bonding and in time thanks to one language for all, will be signing from the same hymn sheet. I hear and I read that we're in trouble and we're about to implode. I disagree, I think we're about to explode. The question is when? I think it's inevitable, hopefully sooner rather than later but someone is going to get turned over and I want it to be West Brom. Screw the pundits, screw the press and screw the narrow minded mother ****ers who continue to write us off as a trainwreck without having the decency or manners to take a closer look at the situation to see what we're actually doing at this football club. Screw West Brom who I know fine well are looking at us as the sinking ship who's going to gift them 3 points and kick start their season. One thing's for certain in my eyes. I see a football club owner who's surrounded himself with the right people and hired the right men. I see a very very talented young coaching team and a squad of players who are pulling together, bonding and gelling, I see an army of faithful fans who are 100 percent behind the vision. I see a Sunderland AFC whom i'm falling deeper and deeper in love with by the day and it makes every hair on my body stand up! 3-1 to sunderland. Haway the Lads!
I'm gutted it's Friday mate. The wait for Saturday is getting longer every week. I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really think we'll win this encounter, I really do. And if the gaffer has got Catt's head right, ie, not to be like a bull in a China shop, we have an amazing chance imo. ....COME ONNNNN
Me too mate & although I don't get to anywhere near the matches I used to due to circumstances, I still have this buzz every Friday of anticipation & excitement..
I just can't afford it. My Birthday is on the 29th of december. I've already started saving. Hoping money combined with birthday, savings and christmas will be enough to get a part season ticket, but that will be no more matches this year. fingers crossed I have enough. Butterflies every Friday without fail.
I will be driving down to Staffordshire tomorrow to take my oldest son to his university..If our lass wasn't coming as well I might have tried to nip across to WBA for the game..However I will be there in spirit willing the lads on with my renowned powers of telepathy...
Hope you manage it mate, I had a part season ticket 2009/10 season, that was my last one. My partner is just to ill health at the moment to even contemplate leaving to go to the games. I have to get 2 carers in on 24hour care to look after her usually and it costs a fortune and then I have to make sure granny can have our Ella for the night and then of course there's the cost. Was up for the Fulham game and the stay over, ticket, grub, travel costs and a few beers came well to over a couple of hundred quid. I am though hoping to get up at least a few more times this season, fingers crossed and all that..
At my wits end at times mate, been 4 years now but always optimistic and always there to gee up Lollie. She's been bed bound for the last 7 months and it's blocked Catheter bags that have been my nightmare of late. I suppose you have to go through this stuff to understand what it's all about but it does make you realise the word 'Love' is way beyond the fairytale inside your head..
Salt of the earth you are mate. What would the world do without people like you? You restore faith in humanity you really do. All the best to you, Lollie and family. Keep that chin up
Take it day by day Bri, always have done. Lollie is Cerebal Palsic, has virtually no movement waste down atm, bed bound and as high as a kite through the daily amount of various tablets she takes. Know what though, I had cold for a few days last week and was coughing a lot during the night and every time I woke up, that lass was looking at me awake. She just wanted to make sure I was OK.. Done a lot in my life mate, met a lot of good and bad people but what keeps me going is this lasses determination, love and simply beautiful caring personality. I will see her fixed one day, thats my mission now. You take care mate & always the best to you..
