Chiek, I am over twice your age and have been going to both grounds since I was a nipper and I also form the impression that there is a touch of wummery in your post since you only choose to come on the board when Utd have done well and we havn't. Maybe you do not mean to convey an air of superiority or condecenscion when your team is doing better at the moment; things are how they are - but maybe it would help us to understand you better if you would let us know true feelings about Ashley's handling of the club, pre and post Pardew appointment. I do not recall him being hailed as anything other than another cockney mate for the cockney horrors running the club.
Back on track... It's been neither a success nor a failure... It has highlighted our problems, but also shown our positives...
If you detect wummery in my post, that is entirely your opinion and you are entitled to it, but I won't be told to "grow up" or whatever else just because someone misguidedly believes I am wumming. I have not criticised O'Neill, simply said I think Bruce could have guided you to 12-13th this season, therefore IMO O'Neill is so far doing nothing Bruce couldn't have done. I really don't see what is so problematic about that. Ashley, as a person, I still despise. He makes horrible decisions and doesn't give a **** about the fans opinions. However, as a businessman, he is brilliant, and in the long run he could work out well for the club. If we keep our current management and scouting system, I'm more than happy for him to stay. On Pardew, when he was appointed, like most NUFC fans, I was indifferent, not happy or unhappy. What infuriated most of us was the way Hughton left, nothing against Padew. He has exceeded all my expectations, and as long as he can have us challenging top 7-10 every year I will be happy. He guided West Ham to as Cup final, and at the end of the day, that is what most of us NUFC fans crave, way more than league position.
Purgatory again for your lot basically. Season promised much, not quite delivered. If O'Neill gets the transfer business right it could progress. He has a very up and down transfer record, but regardless I think you'll have a better season next year because Bruce was clueless, O'Neill isn't.
A terrible manager as proven by his record. Mid table highlights before sliding each club into the 2nd tier. Yep, that clueless manager.
The season is a failure, 10th was a minimum requirement, and we're gonna miss it. We should have been looking for 8th, at least, given a piss poor Liverpool and the wretched start Everton had. There are mitigating circumstances, the timing and nature of Gyan's departure left us unsettled and vulnerable, with little time to find a cure. We have MON, and that means at least we come out of a wasted season with genuine cause for optimism, but then, isn't that always the way at Sunderland!
