I will be on the Fans Forum on BBC Newcastle on Saturday and we will be talking about how we feel the season has gone todate. If you could all help out by giving me your high points and low points of the season (excluding the obvious Bent and 5-1 references) i will try to reflect the general sentiments of Sunderland fans in general as well as my own views.
A high has to be Gyan jumping on Bruce after the win against Blackpool or just the fact we've been in a European spot for an extended period of time. I'd suggest my lowest points, as a Sunderland fan, are whenever "Big" Chris tries to share his insider information with us. As I guess that's no use to you, I'd go with Fraizer's injury just as he looked on fire in the pre season.
high) Chelsea game. popped champagne, literally. low) two matches later, we squander a late lead vs wolves.
Others would say we are fighting above our weight, but we aren't ! We are where we are on merit. Taking a couple of heavyweights out on the way.
In all seriousness, the highlight has got to be Chelsea away. To end the hoodoo in such spectacular fashion was just incredible. The whole season has given us all some pride back, our ability to react after negeatives has been sensational, and bodes well for the clubs future. The negatives, sadly, are our consistent failure to beat so-called lesser teams, WBA away was a real annoyance, as was the cup departure. Small gripes, it's hard to look for negatives when as a whole, this season has been a delight, and a joy and a season when we are genuinely looking like we may be on the verge of something. I'm immensly proud of the lads, the gaffer, SNQ and Ellis, they are all doing us proud.
For me the high point starts with pride and believe me after some of the seasons we have had that is a big and important word. The way the team are starting o play for each other, loan players dont act or seem like loan players, they act and look like Sunderland players. Bardsley and Ferdinand must be high points, both have shown that in this money mad football world of prima donners these two want to play and succeed with us. Not a lot of real low points but the cup games mut be in there along with still a lack of consistancy.
Back you on Anton, he's never had it fair from large sections of the crowd, and he's often not performed to his standard, great to see him looking the part, and getting some credit for it. Bardsley? I'm not convinced we haven't cloned him and put a machine in his place, it beggars belief that the once much maligned, myself included, fella, is nailed on for our player of the year award, barring a serious disaster. Take a bow Bardo!
I know what you mean syd, i reckon in a premier league free-for-all fist fight, Bardo would be one of the last men standing. This is a good thing! And where has his confidence, and just recently, ability to shoot come from?? It's a bionic Bardo i tells yee!
The season so far as seen a lot of debate on numerous issues; The cup exit at the hands of a third division team, Quinny asking for more to attend games and like stated in the OP the obvious lows of Bent and the derby performances. Life is never dull following Sunderland, however for us to be sitting 6th, six points clear when so many things that would have derailed our progress in the past is a testament to Bruce's leadership long may it continue.
what has me smiling this season is the way we have performed after defeats. previous sunderland sides have gone on some pretty horrific runs in the past, and yet this season we have only lost two on the trot once
Wasn't he captain when he put in a brilliant performance at home to Man Utd season before last? I love Bardo, what an attitude he has.
The Chelsea win ! Signing Gyan, that save by gordon all wonderful times, and sitting in 6th for a while now, good signs lows are letting in late goals, the opening game of the season (i was there) was dire, the blackpool game where we couldnt score, and the wolves game
Thanks for the comments so far keep them comming. Just for the record my low point was Welbecks goal againt Bolton. That might sound strange but if you noticed Bents reaction or lack of one it was obvious that some thing was up, proably been tapped up as far back as that. high point the Blackpool game last week proved we can play better footbal with out him.
Highs - other then the obvious SB one: Seeing Ellis Short celebrating after the equaliser v Arsenal. It means a lot to see that his heart is in it, not just his wedge. Signing Gyan and seeing news of Sess and Muntari being chased and the other big names that we are linked with these days. Massive, massive positive changes. Away form has improved slowly and steadily According to the Away League on the Barclays PL site: This season so far: 7th with 14 points All of last season: 16th with 10 points The change in Catts after his two early red cards. Seeing him mature and take a grip on his wayward tendencies. Bardo (especially) and Anton digging in and working for a 1st team place. Looking up the table and watching out for evidence of weaknesses in Spurs and Chelsea, watching the fixtures list for their tough games, hoping we can surprise them all. I have never done that before in the PL for SAFC. It may be wishful thinking but it s great fun. Lows: Losing 3 points at Wolves Losing 2 points at Anfield because of Attwell
Ok been away with work for two days. Thanks for the input lads. On the same theme what are your hopes for the rerst of the season?
