Name: Dan Davies
Age: (If you want): 37
How long you’ve supported the club: First game in ’79

What were your pre-match predictions for the game (honestly)?
Didn’t expect a goal fest with Drogba out so 2-0 wasn’t far off expectations

Was the 2-0 score line a fair result in your eyes?
Yes, it seemed to be.

You’ve been unbeaten at home for god knows how long; did you ever think Sunderland could threaten your record?
Not really, you didn’t look like you had the firepower before the game, and the longer it went on the more comfortable we looked

You’ve probably answered this question thousands of times but how’s life after the special one?
Better than we expected, to be honest. Whether that’s down to the quality of the playing staff or that of the coaches is yet to be seen.

Did you agree with his departure? If not, is Abramovich to blame?
It was kind of inevitable given the personalities involved – not that that made it any the less surprising when it did happen. Jose was absolutely the perfect man to turn a club of perennial underachievers into winners – taking us on to Abramovich’s desired level of success with style was probably always going to take someone else.

What are your views on the appointment of Avram Grant? He’s very different to Jose isn’t he?
The feeling is growing that he’s a figurehead only, and that the real power is with Ten Cate and (hopefully) Steve Clarke.

With Drogba seemingly out for some time, surely it’s time for Shevchenko to start doing the business? Will the goal he scored be the first of many in a Chelsea shirt?
I doubt it. Grant seems not to rate Pizarro given the amount of time on the field the Peruvian’s been given of late, but I think he’s more likely to form an effective partnership with Kalou than Shecvhenko will.

Not many Sunderland fans had a great view of the penalty decision? Without being biased was it the right decision?
Yes – TV highlights show a clear pull on Alex’s shirt.

After England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008, a lot of players have come under criticism at games, did you agree with some Sunderland fans booing Frank Lampard (in particular) yesterday? Or don’t you really care?
Booing is always fairly moronic. Frank’s a fine player and able to shake it off. I’m just glad that some of our bigger players are now going to get a proper rest this summer!

Liam Miller was stupid to raise his hand in front of the ref and deserved to be sent off, however he was provoked by Pizzarro who made a massive over-reaction to the challenge on Terry. Do you agree with Keane’s views that the England captain is an untouchable figure on the pitch?
England Captains do tend to be untouchable, Alan Shearer proved that. JT is a great leader but sometimes his passionate response to perceived injustices against his opponents is not to his credit.

Anyways are you optimistic for the rest of the season? Whereabouts do you think you’ll finish?
Always optimistic – Chelsea fan for 30 years and for many of them optimism was all that we had to sustain ourselves.

Who was your best player?
To be honest no one had to extend themselves too far to ensure the win. Joe Cole was bright as ever though.

Who was your worst player?
Would be unfair to single anyone out!

What did you think of Sunderland’s performance?
Honest, but ultimately lacking in the class you needed to get a result.

Who was our best player?
Liam Miller was bright, until …

Who was our worst player?
I like Kenywn Jones, but he really didn’t show much yesterday.

Where do you think we’ll finish this season?
I think you’ve got enough to avoid the drop – just!

Your predictions for:

Premier League:
Arsenal

FA Cup:
Chelsea

Carling Cup:
Man Utd

Relegation:
Derby, Middlesbrough, Wigan

Please rate the following 1 to 10 (10 being the best):

Atmosphere:
7/10

Your fans:
7/10

Our fans:
7/10

Your team:
7/10

Our team:
5/10

Who’d win in a fight? Avram Grant or Roy Keane? And why?
Keano – as if I need state a reason!

Dan Davies was chatting to James Henderson