I like to see what the fans of the opposing teams think pre and post games against Sunderland... So I have a quick look at their fans forums... A few are quite good...namely Stoke (Oatcake) and Norwich (thepinkun) The fans who contribute to these forums seem to be quite balanced in their views. Even Leeds (MOTF) isn't bad although the odd nutter make an appearance. However, Boro ( flymetothemoon) will never give credit to anything we do..I guess unsurprising given.... for them ....we are their local rivals. They are still predicting this surge from the smoggies that will catapult them up the league... Might happen, just don't see it..really don't think they are that good
I don't see them as any different to Leeds when it comes to rivalry. We may be there's but they aren't ours.
I suppose it depends whereabouts you’re from mate. I lived in Peterlee till I was 12 and did my apprenticeship there in the 80s so always had a rivalry with them. I understand those that live further away and don’t though
I’m not surprised. They appointed an assistant coach and his results have been terrible. They spent a good few quid when they first got relegated - they’re miles off promotion.
I worked at the Riverside in the late 90s and whilst they all knew my allegiance was with Sunderland I never had a problem. However trying to have a discussion about NE football or football in general never got beyond how they viewed their club and the dislike they had for us which was totally unbalanced. I found their fan base very difficult to get through to, we all think our club is mint but they were unnaturally anti everything that wasn't about themselves. Don't think it's changed much since then.
When I was in my early 20’s I lived on Teesside.. much the same, their hatred is Wierd… no matter what we do is wrong, lucky or not as good as Boro. There is no matrix that Boro can compete with Sunderland as a club. Sometimes they have better players ( not the case now ) but in any other other aspect they are vastly inferior… their forum spends its time disputing this
Never visit any other forums. Hardly have the find the time to contribute on here! Be interesting to see if they come up with work arounds with this new set of laws coming in around march 2025
There’s some kid shares these ‘Red Faction’ videos online and there’s about 35 of them. It’s a wee bit cringe frankly. Boro isn’t a derby for me it’s a game that bites a little bit more but it’s not giving me sleepless nights and anxiety like the Mags games used to. I’d go as far as to suggest games against Coventry and Portsmouth and a couple more have had more bite for a few years now.
I work with a lad from Middlesbrough. In general he’s a nice bloke. But he seems to think that we will fade away and Boro will storm the league. I just nod my head and say let’s see what happens by the end of the season.
I must be a bit of an outlier on this. I've spent quite a bit of time on Teeside and the surrounding areas over the years, and had plenty of football crack, including both when we have had the same level of team, as now, or when one or the other has been a notch or two above. I can't remember any real arsiness. It's true that our games are more of a Derby to Boro fans, but overall I never experienced the stuff described by others. I rarely take a backward step with the verbals mind, so maybe that's part of it.
Sorry to bring this thread up again... But this pearl of wisdom from a Boro fan on their fans forum after the 1-1 draw with Cardiff... Priceless "Sunderland with little spend and a worse squad are miles ahead of us" What makes this fan believe Boro have a superior squad to ours.... Its no where near
