The last few weeks have been a bit down hearted on this forum and many had us relegated before Christmas! Let's look at things from the glass half full perspective. Last season after 9 games we had 9 points; this season after 9 games we have 9 points! We have lost 4 this season - Chelsea and Arsenal we would not quarrel with and we were not hammered either. We should have beaten Norwich and arguably The Mags, but last season after 9 we had only won once; this season we have 2 wins. Our defence is as good as the top four and we have scored goals from midfield this season. We have moved on from last year, marginally, but we have work to do before we are a solid Premier team. Villa at the week end is the test. Last year our 10th game was The Mags away and we all know what happened there! Just to prove, however, that I am a true Mackem and not as positive as this always, I am already worried about our mid season slump!
I'm starting to have a more positive outlook as well. Maybe Bruce & the players were right, we just needed time. I do doubt this, but I'd love it to be true. So lets kick on and win some games. Saturday, 29 October 2011 Sunderland v Aston Villa WIN Saturday, 5 November 2011 Man Utd v Sunderland LOSE Saturday, 19 November 2011 Sunderland v Fulham WIN Saturday, 26 November 2011 Sunderland v Wigan WIN Sunday, 4 December 2011 Wolverhampton v Sunderland WIN/DRAW Sunday, 11 December 2011 Sunderland v Blackburn WIN We should be getting around 13/15 points from the next 18 available which would be great! Whether or not that will happen is a different question and I'm not too sure.
I looked at the stats a couple of weeks ago before the gunners game syd and we were pretty much in a similar position as last season then. The only thing was we had played better teams at that point last season. But it was this time last season we hit a purple patch and pushed on till christmas. Looking at the games above, with a little luck and a positive game plan i think we'll push on again this season. After christmas who know???
I posted last week that I thought we would win a lot of games this side of January. Confidence is a wonderful thing and we may just be getting some.
In reality the only result which was out ogf the blue was the Norwich game. Anything can happen in a derby so ignore that result win or lose. So we have lost to Chelsea and Arsenal. So not as bad as we all keep saying its just that we will always want to have a good start to the season win 4 of the first 6 and be sitting near the top. But this is Sunderland we dont do that LOL
You're forgetting Brighton as well which was a disgraceful defeat so early on in the cup and to lower league opposition with no strikers playing. However, another win on Saturday will be most welcome and back to back wins are like rocking horse **** these days. For all my pessimism, I must admit that the stat (I love stats btw Lol) that if we win we will have the same points as last season at this same point, was an eye opener. Someone revealed that at the weekend and it took me by surprise to be honest. There can be no doubt that a win or even draw in the derby, at least a point at Norwich and a win v WBA would have made a difference to our feeling about this season. That would have given us perhaps 13 points going into Saturday and the chance for 16 points by Saturday night. For such small margins are impressions made by fans. Still by no means a BiB (long way from that) but if he does put a run together in the next 5 or 5weeks, I may just hop back onto the fence for a bit. 1 up front on Saturday and a poor performance/defeat and I'll have an effigy of Bruce out burning in the garden by 6pm Saturday.
John Fumble - If you ever receive an email that says you have won 2 free tickets to a Newcastle Carling Cup match, don't open it. It's an elaborate hoax.
