Stan predicted that Sunderland would stay up when they hired Allardyce. But Stan also predicted that Leicester would get relegated when they hired Ranieri.
Relegated by your main rivals? Ouch. Happened to Dundee this season, too. Newcastle didn't address their defensive frailties in January. Benitez probably would've kept them up if they'd have spent the money there, instead of areas in which they already had options. Most of the damage was done before then though, to be fair. Interesting to see what happens with the manager now.
Close, but not quite. Dundee United were actually relegated by losing to Dundee. That's worse. Must be some very sore heads oop north today though, on both sides.
I think Sam finally found a home , treated better at Sunderland than his last few gigs . " Magpies and Black Cats " by Sam Allardyce .... I know I'd by a copy just for this chapter .
The rivalry up here is a difficult one to explain to those who don't know the area and seems to be a little different from some others. While it is a very fierce rivalry, relegation doesn't hurt any more than it would have if Norwich had relegated us. There will be those that see it different, but a lot of supporters on both sides would prefer it if both teams were in the top flight. I'm not suggesting relegation doesn't hurt for one second. It hurts like hell. It's not about who sent us down though. It's about the fact we are down. There will always be banter about it on both sides, but the vast majority of mackems who have been on our board in the last few days have been very classy and dignified about it. The actual derbies are probably as intense as any other, and we both love to finish above the other in the table. For the rest of the time though the two sets of fans get on reasonably well.
That's pretty gracious of them. There is always a bit of mutual respect in amongst the fiercest of rivalries. As much as we as Arsenal fans love to goad Spurs (and we've had two decades of bragging rights) There's also a part of us that would rather see them actually rivalling us on the pitch, than languishing in mid-table. It just makes the rivalry a bit more tasty
Like I said, it's really hard to explain, or even put into words. Maybe it isn't so different from other rivalries. I would never start the season wanting to see them go down (this time was different as it was a us or them situation), but if they did go down I would laugh about it just as they are. But I would miss the derbies and having that genuine rivalry like you said. Hopefully we can be back soon to renew it, but it won't be easy by any means.
Likewise, Pix, I'd hate to see Arsenal fall to mid-tale, which is where I think you are going to reside post-Wenger. That's going to be awful, mate. No one wants to see that. But you have got to believe that you can weather the storm and eventually find a half decent manager. Yeah?
I agree here. Check our board out. The Mackems have been quite classy to be honest. My family are all mackems and they've been the same. Most are sad that we aren't around to give them 4-6 points next year!!! PS- you won't find many Toons or Mackems who class Boro as being in the North East. They are in Yorkshire and Yorkshire CCC have even played cricket there before too. It will therefore be a while until the North East derby is back.
We are very fair up here and believe in sharing things out. Enjoy your share of our misery this weekend!
