I have a friend Peter here in Raleigh who was born and bred in Sunderland and follows the side over here in the US and when we get together for lunch we talk about how our two teams are doing.
He’s not too happy at the moment, although two successive wins gives all Sunderland supporters hope they can survive in the Premier League this season.
But it will be a struggle and they have to sign some new players in January since they don’t seem to have enough quality in the side and haven’t for a while.
Alan Shearer – it will be difficult doe Sunderland
Manager David Moyes must also be backed with funds and general support if he is to have any chance of saving the Black Cats this season.
Alan Shearer has been speaking on the BBC’s Premier League show which is a special and dedicated to the state of football in the North East.
Not surprisingly the Newcastle living legend thinks it’s going to be difficult for Sunderland to stay up this season and after all they have struggled for many seasons with relegation.
This is some of what Alan said and he thinks it’s a shame if they go down:
“I think Sunderland will struggle.”
“They will do well to get out of the position that they are in and I do think that Newcastle might just swap places with them.”
“Which is a shame because for players and fans, they are great games.” “They are great occasions, but I do fear for Sunderland.”
We are probably in the minority of Geordie fans who want Sunderland to stay up, but it’s great for the region and also good if Middlesbrough can survive.
Two successive wins have made things suddenly look a lot better for Sunderland – 2 points from 10 games to 8 points from 12 games and within 3 points of five teams above them.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
Bobbybee
Nov 24, 2016 at 12:31 PM
Comment #1Don’t think it matters what we want, they look doomed once again. Can’t be much fun supporting a team when your season is over by November. 🙂 They’re nowhere near ready for a tough season in the Championship, whereas we were ready for it. Being financially secure made life easier for us than it would for them. If they do go down I can see them being there for a while and failure to bounce straight back up could result in a long stay – or even worse. 🙂 Who’s laughing now?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 24, 2016 at 12:31 PM
Comment #2With Pickford making about 20 wonder saves a game and Defoe and Anichibe scoring goals out of nothing it would not surprise me to see Sunderland fluke another survival bid !
Bobbybee
Nov 24, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Comment #3Lee, you may be right mate, but what sort of existence is that for fans? Two games in and Moysey was talking relegation fight. They’re definitely the new Wigan and we know how that finished up. I didn’t want it, but it’s looking like relegation has turned the club round completely. Not that I’d recommend taking that gamble like, it could so easily go tits up, but we’ll come back much stronger than when we left. Got rid of the slackers for one thing. That said, under Rafa, we’d have been a different kettle of fish than we had been if we had survived. It’s impossible to stress enough what a huge difference he’s made since he arrived.
Novocastrian66
Nov 24, 2016 at 12:46 PM
Comment #4I think Sunderland will cheat the hangman again. Swansea look doomed. Not sure about Hull. Then there is Palace who are in big trouble too, especially with the unspecial one in charge.
A lot depends on Defoe, if he stays fit they’ll beat the drop. I also think that out of the teams scrapping it out they have the best manager.
toonincheek
Nov 24, 2016 at 1:07 PM
Comment #5Magpies v. Mackems is a special occasion – have to say
I would prefer to see the Mackems survive – just – so that
those occasions will continue (with a different result to
the last few seasons!)
I would also like to see both teams wearing ‘home’ shirts.
There is no clash – except maybe black shorts.
lesh
Nov 24, 2016 at 2:19 PM
Comment #6In fairness to Shearer he was very tactful towards Sunderland’s plight. No gloating or crowing about this year while Michael Gray didn’t crow about the stuffings we’ve had from Sunderland over recent years.
lesh
Nov 24, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #7Novo
I read somewhere that Allardyce’s the likely successor to Pardwho – if he’s sacked. If that’s the case, then Sam’ll do his usual rescue of an ailing side and Palace’ll avoid relegation.