Alright lads, this is very hypothetical but lets imagine we get beaten in the Carling Cup, we were still Finalists and it lifted everyone's spirits. We have a very decent chance of making the last 8 of the FA Cup, lets assume we get beaten in that round. We finish the season having survived relegation. I reckon that would be a major achievement from Gus and the boys, what does everyone think? would that be acceptable? On the other hand, we could win the Carling Cup and progress even further in the FA. Who knows? Personally, I think Gus has been a revelation and totally transformed the team and playing style beyond recognition from the MON style of play that was so painful to watch.
This is the main thing for me. Even if we get relegated. We play proper football now and I'm proud as ****.
It's so refreshing, I've never known in my whole time supporting Sunderland us truly play my favoured style of game. If we go down it will be in style.
Gus has been a revelation,and,as long as he keeps us in the top-fight,he has been a success.Anything else is a bonus!!
If we stay up, considering where we were, that alone would be enough to make his first season a HUGE success Getting to wembley, even if we lose is brilliant
Think that the bloke is brilliant. Saw many a false dawn & got my hopes up to always have them dashed, yet this time it seems different. A long shot, but we could reach two cup finals, finally after 40 years win some silverware & god willing keep up at the same time. Not to mention he hasn't adopted the hoof ball method but got the lads playing in a manner that is good to watch. Couldn't ask for more considering the way we were when he took charge.
Last match I saw at the stadium, I was so pissed off, the way we were going sideways and backwards, like always, like the Sunderland of old. Then I thought,.... hang on a mo, is this my team?.... we are actally keeping possesion, sideways backwards then forward, proper football, where am I? Have I been transported somewhere else? This is FOOTBALL, OMG it's fantastic, wonderful, players actually playing with a purpose. Never seen it before in my lifetime, even under Reidy. Thank heavens for Gus, a manager that knows how and what to do, can change a game from plan A to plan B, previous managers usually stated with plan B. Sunderland, always been my club, couldn't support anyone else, even the dark days of the third div. It is without a doubt a club to be proud of. If we avoid the drop (which I think we will), next season we will be a force to be reckoned with!
If we do manage to pull off the unlikely and beat City I hope we invest properly in the summer to be able to compete in the Europa League and the league, Swansea and Newcastle have both struggled the previous two seasons because of that You've got a fair chance of Europe next year as well, through the FA Cup
Transformation Similarities with the Reid's time. I was a season ticket holder then, in Championship and 1st 2 seasons in Premiership. There was expectation for every game and we genuinely believed we could get a result against anyone. Although I don't go to many matches now the expectation seems to be growing again. I believe we can get a result against Arsenal and its all because Gus is playing the right stuff but also because for the first time in ages we have a manager who has great tactical awareness. The fact that he seems to be a genuine honest and pleasant guy makes him perfect for us I think. How long can we keep him though?
we can keep him for as long as he feels he can improve Sunderland. If we hit a glass ceiling at 8th spot, then he will be off to a top club. If we can consistently challenge for a top 6 spot (in a couple of seasons time), then I dont think we would have to worry as much, unless one of the top clubs (champions league regulars) came in for him.
I think there are similarities to Reid and Gus. Both seem to like solid midfielders who can win the ball and quick creative wingers and full backs. All Gus needs is a Quinn and SKP and we would be sorted.
I'd be happy to use out fringe players in the Europa league squad. the same ones who played in the FA cup against Southampton, plus Maviras, Ba, and other youth players who are trying to break into the 1st team as they wont have the pressure of the league on their shoulders that way. If we let Gardner, Larsson etc go this summer, I'd expect us to invest and replace them. either way, we should have enough squad players to rotate out in the europa league
