How the hell is it going through such a difficult period... Most of us believed that after a decent summer of transfers we'd closed the gap on Newcastle. On paper both our teams are fairly similar, they admittedly have the edge on us. We truly believed we'd end up within a couple of points of them. We were right. We just didn't realised that at this stage of the season, don't kid yourself we're well into the season now, 15 games or so in. We're two points off Newcastle but as it stands we're two points from relegation. This all sounds quite doom and gloom but... Nothing's changed since the day we signed Fletcher or the day we signed AJ. We're still a very decent side, MON is still a very decent manager (though he needs to show it) and our (both sides) prospects are still ****ing bright. Onwards and upwards lads. Two big games to look forward to this week. Fingers crossed.
Mags losing again as well. Two of the biggest clubs in the country and both have won bugger all in nigh on forty years. Sad, really...
Beggers belief as to how we still haven't improved and how much worse they've become. I don't care if some of our fans say that they were lucky and overachieved last year. They were still a fantastic side.
We're both in trouble, I thought that this would be the crowning season for the North East, we would both kick-start our season and be in the top ten and a trip to either of our stadiums would be a scary affair. Now look, we're both the laughing stock of the league. We're kicked about by easy opposition, for a team as good as Sunderland to lose 4-2 at home is poor, and I believe we've won one in eight now? Look at the state of North East football, Middlesbrough are gone, we're terrible, and you're poor. It's a depressing time for us all. Improvements are needed.
It is at the top where change is needed, someone from our club needs to spend a season at Arsenal or Man u to see what goes on, then there should be a set points, performance and placing for the next season. Mine would be 54 points, 7th/8th and Fletcher scoring 18 goals, conceding 40 goals scoring 48 goals etc. Bonuses for winning a trophy or europe. Oh and Hartlepool did not lose yesterday !.
Monty, You really think we didn't set a target for this season? Every club does! We have a self made multi-billionaire as chairman, believe me he'll have high expectations.
It really doesn't matter which team has what players, if we're not winning game then who the **** cares?
Looking outside the micro atmosphere of NE football for a moment, the simple facts are this league isnt a particularly talented one imo and teams from bottom to top are capable of beating each other on a given day. There is a helluva long way to go yet this season for both clubs and a transfer window to bring in reinforcements in 5 weeks time. Both clubs could easily finish top 10 comfortably with a slight change in fortune and neither will be relegated imo.
