What could have been..

JACK Colback admits Sunderland have been left with mixed emotions after finishing in 13th spot for the second time in three years.

Sunderland never threatened to secure the victory they required to secure a second successive top finish at the Stadium of Light yesterday after a dramatic final day ultimately saw the Black Cats drop two places following their 1-0 defeat to Premier League runners-up Manchester United.

Midfielder Colback says there is a sense of dejection in the Sunderland camp at the eight-game winless streak over the home straight after Martin O’Neill’s men had been well-positioned for a top half finish at the start of April.

But the 22-year-old also concedes that Sunderland would gladly have accepted 13th spot at O’Neill’s inauguration in December, when the Wearsiders were facing a relegation scrap.

Colback told the Echo: “We’re disappointed with the way we’ve finished the season and the run we’ve been on. We should have picked up more points.

“We started the season hoping and aiming for the top 10. But with the way it started, we would probably have been pleased with where we’ve finished.

“We started really slow and didn’t do very well at all. But we got in the position where we could have easily finished eighth.

“We’ve picked up draws where we should have won and the season has slipped away a bit which is disappointing.

“Maybe we’ve been a bit tired over recent weeks. But as a player, you should be able to play for 38 games over the course of a season. There was a lot of effort over the winter and where we were was remarkable.

“At one stage, we were top of the form guide. That’s the most disappointing thing because we got ourselves in a position where we really could have kicked on and finished where we wanted to.”
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MARTIN O’Neill has already begun work on re-shaping his squad for next season, with Nicklas Bendtner shown the exit door early at the Stadium of Light yesterday.

The on-loan Arsenal striker wasn’t in the starting 11 for the final-day game against Manchester United and didn’t even make the subs’ bench.

When questioned about the Dane’s absence, O’Neill’s curt response was: “Nicklas Bendtner? I chose not to pick him.”

Bendtner will not be at Sunderland next season – something which will suit both Sunderland and the striker – and there will be plenty more comings and goings this summer.

Before kick-off, he tweeted: “Good game to the lads. I wish them well. I will not be playing today unfortunately. Thanks for the support thruout the season it has been Fantastisk.. I hope the best for SAFC.”

O’Neill said: “I know we have a lot to do and next season starts here for me. You can see clearly we have work to do and there are a variety of issues to address.

“We’ll take time to reflect on that and then move on as quickly as possible.”

 

I'm totally sick of all this bull the players come out with, they seem to be able to talk the talk but when it comes down to it they rarely do what they say. Colback for me has been pretty consistant throughout the season so this is not aimed at him as such but the players are to blame for were we finished, it was them nobody else that played like they couldn't be bothered for the last couple of months.

As for MoN he will be absolutely fuming and quite a few of our average bunch are going to be in for a shock this summer, another summer overhaul is on the cards most certainly

 

I think Jack will be the first name on the teamsheet next season, was dissapointed with Sess performance, but hey everyone can have an off day, and the subs that came on bit put a bit fiting spirit back, however the first half was woefull, and the passing was ****e

 

WOEFUL ROG, wassent that good mate.