Wilkinson! I hope a gypsy knocks at your door tomorrow and puts a curse on you for uttering that name!
Phew! Im not home for at least a week! Travelling for work.. and no, not mentioning where I will be staying incase you get in touch with a gypsy to do just that! Was just going through the boards, and the whole Bruce In/Out thing kicked up again due to the win, and people praising Sess & Zenden... and it got me thinking "I remember the dark, dark days of Stg Wilko & Cotterill - are these days truely worse than then??" and the answer i found was a resounding no. If you compare now to what we used to have to deal with - well, it makes me shudder.
I think it's the disappointment following all the expectation. As a few of us old codgers have put it - "another false dawn".
Do you not think that is due in part to people getting very carried away? Before Xmas the majority of people were acting like we were already in Europe, facing down Barca at the Nou Camp. We were doing very well before Xmas... but this is Sunderland. Surely after the last decade we would have all had it ingrown in our DNA by now to hope for the best, but expect the worst? I had my fingers crossed for a top 10 finish (which is still possible mind), but i threw the idea of Europe out the window as years of torment have taught me. I honestly do think without the injuries we could have performed alot more admirably. My gripe with Steve is his tactical nounce when he has these injuries, and the selling of Bent without a replacement. Taking a gamble on an injuried Campbell was too big a risk.
Yes, you're right that some people got carried away. I've been about too long to have joined in, alas. My disappointment has been brought about by his apparent lack of ideas - like you've hinted at yourself - when the going gets tough. We went 14 games without a win last year - that's OVER A THIRD OF A SEASON. This year, 9 - NEARLY A QUARTER OF A SEASON. This leads me to believe that he doesn't have what it takes.
14 games without a win last season and 9 this season. That shows things are getting better. Always look on the bright side I say. Next season a run of 4 games without a win is looking likely.
Travelling. are you indeed a gypo in disguise. Go "Curse yourself". That name is almost as bad as McMenemy
No one knows of course, but I would hazard a guess that the decision not to replace Bent at that time would not have been Bruce's. I recall a Quinn interview afterwards, saying that the cash ensured the club's viability (or some similar words) ... If you don't have a good cash-flow you have 'administration' and a 10 point deduction............... Interesting to see what funds Brucie will be given. I suspect there will be several 'frees' arriving. No, I'm not being negative, just realistic.
If fans had filled the stadium to the rafters when we were doing so well before Christmas it may well have given Quinn/Short the funds and confidence to invest in a high class replacement for Bent. Or alternatively Bent might not have wanted to leave in the first place.
Jesus Christ aye he was terrible, remember hearin the announcement on the radio and thinkin it was a practical joke! Prior to us did he not have some high up job in the FA like Technical Director or sumthn (aswel as managing the team for a match against Finland I think)?! Put that alongside the recent appointment of Gareth Southgate as head of elite development and youve got to wonder what theyre smoking down South!
