Ricky bowled over by support

Ricky Alvarez admitted he was surprised by Sunderland’s phenomenal supporters following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Argentina international made his Black Cats bow in front of a rapturous audience at the Stadium of Light, as a late Harry Kane own goal sealed a point for Gus Poyet’s side.
Speaking to safc.com, Alvarez reflected on his first taste of football in the Barclays Premier League.
“It really was a great experience to be able to play in what is one of the biggest leagues in the world.
“The game itself was very intense and it was played at a high tempo, I really enjoyed it and in the end we were able to get a draw against a very good side so I was very happy.”
He continued: “The fans really were very good, they came here and filled the stadium as they always do and their support was very good.
“Even when the team was losing they were great and I really appreciated their support.”
Next up for the Black Cats is a trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley, and although Alvarez is expecting a tough game he is targeting three points.
“It is going to be a very difficult game, they are a tough side and they are very strong defensively as we saw when they picked up a draw against Manchester United.
“We are going to focus on doing our own thing and playing our own game, playing at the same intensity we did against Tottenham to go on and pick up the three points.”


I thought Inter fans have their gaff bouncing? He can't be that impressed.

 

Myth mate, Inter are one of the better supported but the ground is generally half full for most games, and they shoehorn the Ultras into a tiny section to keep them away.

Atmosphere is derby, Juve, Bologna, couple more.

 

Cheers fella, consider it dispelled.

 

Same with most in Italy mate, Juve have big crowds, and the Rome clubs, Napoli, Fiorentina, but not many more.

Milan & Rome clubs have big crowds, but the stadiums are so big they can be a bit flat.

Table hear, Inter highest average but it's an 80,000 cap stadium!

http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/ita-serie-a-2013-2014/1/

 

That's completely altered my view. Not fussed about ever going to one of those grounds now. Where is mental then?

 

In Italy? Specific games, Milan derby, Juve v Fiorentina, Napoli v Bari.

Best place I've ever been for a game was Hamburg, ****ing amazing city, incredible stadium and atmosphere.

Marseille was class as well, but felt like a stabbing was near, Malaga is a class atmosphere and you can smoke and drink for fun in the stadium, ha.

 

Not Italy especially, though it is one place I really want to visit. But when I next go abroad I want to take in a match with an intense atmosphere. Aren't the Turkish big clubs mental? I'd go to Turkey like, heard good things.

Juve v Fiorentina sounds like sex. However Napoli appeals as The Amalfi Coast is one part of italy I'd love to visit.

 

Yeah, it is, although you could flip it and go Fiorentina v Juve, then you are in Tuscany, which pisses all over Naples & Sorrento.

Istanbul is an amazing city, and I'm sure if you could get into one of the big derbies it would be sensational, again though, has to be a derby cos most games ae played in front of tiny crowds.

Olimpiakos v Panathinaikos looks like a lively one as well, the Greeks are ****ing insane for football.

 

Sounds good. We're talking holidays at the moment, she doesn't know about the football part yet.

Cheers fella.

 

I must say the south stand is significantly louder than last year, its growing in volume season upon season, its mint

 

Any idea why we attacked the North end first on Saturday? Spurs kicked off so we must have won the toss.

It could be a change to attack the South end second half to lift the noise/atmosphere.

 

I've been to Hamburg a few times, cracking city.
Took in a game once but that was at the old Volkspark Stadion which had a running track around it.

Spent many a happy night on the Reeperbahn & Grosse Friehiet Strasse.
The Beatles spent a lot of time there you know.

 

No idea mate, we did it all of last season aswell, must be to do with the half time re-fuelling of overpriced pints of piss we fork out for

 

away man tell us where you spent most of your time ................red light yes

 

We have always attacked the South end first half if we win the toss, Saturday is the first time I have noticed a change, I just wondered if it contributed to a noisy South stand.

 

That's what I'm talking about & it would make your neck of the woods look like the Vatican marra.

 

Been to a few games in South America that are definitely high up on the mental scale:
Boca Juniors v River Plate - Argentina
Penarol v Nacional - Uruguay
Olimpia v Cerro Porteno/ Sportivo Luqueno v Olimpia - Paraguay
Argentina v Brazil
Chile v Peru
They are all pretty high up on the intense and mental stage. Imagine crazy, vociferous fans that dance and sing with drums and horns the whole game, flares, toilet paper, huge flags and the occasional riot

 

I'd ****ing love to get to Boca v River, that would be insane.

 

Just get yourselves to an old firm derby next time they play.

 

But we are dross at the minute, still no striker has scored due to Poyet's 1 up front mentality, negative has hell this team.