I can sympathize with Derby fans; I know how it is, turning up to the match each week with an empty feeling because you know what the outcome of the game will be. Wondering where your next goal is going to come from, never mind win. It’s all very depressing. They have been the whipping boys for everyone this season (expect the Mags of course), just like we have in the past. Despite all this, there would be no room for sentiment when it came to 3pm. I was praying that we’d give them an absolute hammering.

Not getting back in from work until 2am and waking up at 6am was not ideal preparation for the day ahead. The journey was shortly underway and after a brief stop in Leeds to pick up one of the ALS crew, we were on the way to Derby. Pride Park holds many happy memories for Sunderland fans, the season we stayed up under Reid when Quinny scored the winner on 80 minutes, Keane’s first game in charge last season and who can forget Mart Poom’s last winner bullet header. Never has a win been more important to us than today.

Keane made a few changes to the side that went down at Pompey. The suspended Danny Collins made way for the other Danny, who was making his return to his old club Derby. Etuhu was dropped from the squad along with Dwight Yorke and there was also no place in the side for the transfer listed Liam Miller. In came Kieran Richardson, who we all hoped would last longer on the pitch than he did on his previous return to the side at Anfield.

The opening few stages of the game were all Sunderland, and in the fifth minute Daryl Murphy’s bending shot from the edge of the box hit the inside of the post and bounced clear away from danger. The style of football was never free flowing and from early on you could tell it was going to be a scrappy affair. The first half also heard the introduction of the new Andy Reid chant.

“Andy Reid, he’s not thin, he loves McDonalds and Burger King.” Class.

Our Irish Toby jug then picked up the ball outside the box, played a one two and was set clear. He squared the ball to Chopra, who netted, only for the linesman to disallow it. Apparently, Chopra was actually onside and the goal should have stood, mint. Half time.

It was obvious that the interval couldn’t have come sooner for one young lad. Unable to handle his drink and make it to the toilet in time, he vomited all the way down the aisle and onto Patrick’s seat. His mates were of course really concerned and caring as they proceeded to piss themselves laughing for the rest of the game.

There really is little to write about the second half apart from the fact, it was shit. We created nothing to cause a central defence of Darren Moore and Alan Stubbs any bother and didn’t make their goalkeeper make a save. All in all, massively frustrating.

We have to now make sure we continue to pick up wins at home and hope this away form of ours changes very soon. Away games to Fulham, Newcastle and Bolton surely must see us winning at least one?

Keep the Faith

Final Score: 0-0

ALS Man of The Match: Jonny Evans

Stephen Davison

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