Dear ALS

I've just returned from a pleasant weekend in Edinburgh (like one or two others!) which was only spoilt by a fairly poor game but more importantly, and this may sound like heresy, by the behaviour of some of our fans.

Let me first say I am no prude or killjoy. The turnout by our fans made it look as though we were set for a cracking atmosphere and as me and 'er indoors' took our seats I was looking forward to the 90 minutes. Most of the first half however was a sideshow thanks to four young numbties two rows in front of us who clearly couldn't handle the two shandies they must have had before the game. One of them could barely stand, he threw his pie into the walkway for everyone else to tread on (and seemed pleased to be upsetting the female steward who watched him do it) then proceeded to flail his arms nearly connecting with the wife of another fan sitting immediately behind. When the said husband understandably remonstrated, the drunken loon's mates took umbrage and they turned on the hubby. One even asked what his problem was because 'we all support the same team don't we?' as though that sanctioned any kind of behaviour?!

Whilst this may seem like a minor incident it was on the verge of getting nasty (a few of us nearby thought we may have to help the hubby out) until the steward brought a couple of bobbies down to keep an eye on them. There is a common theme however - alcohol or rather people's inability to handle it. There were others nearby who were also worse than two sheets to the wind - one guy being virtually unconscious for the whole of the first half and never re-appearing after the break. Another guy 'announced himself' as he arrived to take his seat (with his young son) by loudly using a four letter tirade (including the 'c' word) - his justification for this? Having to sit either side of an aisle with his son… what hope does the son have when set an example like that?

I know this will make me sound like Victor Meldrew but I don't see why my other half (or any other female Sunderland fan) should have to be subject to behaviour or language like that. I've seen similar occasional comments printed previously in ALS and we've always tried to 'console' ourselves by saying it was a minority of people doing this, but the minority seems to be on the increase with each game. I think we all feel the atmosphere at away games is cracking but if I have to endure that lot again, I'll give up travelling away (a few people reading this may feel it would be no loss as they'll have me down as a right misery guts). In my youth I regularly travelled away and had many a sherbert before the games but I don't remember similar incidents of fans squaring up to each other or male fans having absolutely no respect for the women in their presence by using language like that as loudly as they could. If someone shouted like that at their wives or mothers I wonder what they'd think or how they'd react. It seems to now be generally accepted?

Perhaps we were just unlucky in where we sat, but I've seen things slowly get worse in recent years. It also makes me wonder however what the people of Edinburgh really thought of us.....

Ged Blakeborough

Dear ALS

I've just heard the very sad news that Sir Bobby Robson has died and I want to pay a heartfelt tribute to him.

Sir Bobby was a towering legend, a true gent and a genuine football man inside out, a real giant of the game. We'll never see his like again.

We all know he was a Mag and a dyed-in-the-wool black and white through and through. But Robson loved to come and see us at the SoL, he even went to Boro, and he lived, breathed and radiated football for all of his 76 years.

He had huge success at clubs ranging from Ipswich Town to Porto, Sporting Lisbon, PSV and Barcelona as well as England. But he remained a humble bloke from Langley Park with a smile on his face and a kind word for everybody; he had an impish sense of humour and could talk the hind legs off a pit pony.

As a football reporter I covered Ipswich from 1984-87 turning up just two years after Bobby had left to take over England. But his presence still permeated every bit of Portman Road and everyone at the club spoke of him with immense pride, fondness and admiration.

In his later years Robson, who went down the pit at just 15, fought cancer five times with the courage, heroism, selflessness and amazing grace which lit up his entire career in football.

Rest in Peace Bobby,
We'll all miss you, the whole football family,
Red Williams,
Market Harborough

Dear ALS

I have written many times to express views on Sunderland and the odd time to express views on those on the north of the Tyne. However throughout this period have always have had quiet respect for Bobby Robson.

He represented the North East in a way that we would all like the region to be seen and therefore i hope that this is a time we can all join together in thanking his family for what he has done for the area . He has our greatest respect

Mackem Paul

Dear ALS

Harry ‘Feckin’ Redknapp. I feel at liberty to explain to you my pure hatred for Harry Redknapp. I hope the bloke chokes on his own saggy face, he is nothing but a monkey fiddling, cheese knobbing coal miner.

How can he say Crouchy aint worth £12m, yet he was wanting nearly £18m off us for Bent. Granted Bent is a goalscorer, and he will grab twenty a season (he’s just at the wrong club in Spurs) but he was a bit part player for the past two seasons, although he did end up Spurs’ top goalscorer last season, and for me, this is going to be one of Sunderland’s best buys in a long time, it wont take long for him to start paying for himself. I cant wait to see him in a Sunderland shirt. He’s just put on his twitter page.. “Just seen crouchy at the training ground. I wish him all the best. As for me, I’m at Sunderland tomorrow (29th June) for my medical and I cant wait to get started. Brilliant.”

As for Chamakh, I dont want him. He might have the makings of a great player, and one that may outshine at the SOL, but loyalty is something this bloke does not have. Not so long back he came out and said Sunderland was a done deal, now after his friendly in Canda he’s gone back to saying he isn’t sure where he will be plying his trade this season. If we do get him, and he has a corker, he’ll jump at the chance to move on when a big club comes knocking.

I am now living in Maidstone, Kent due to work commitments and the majority of friends of mine down here are Gooners. Why do these people (because we signed Lorik Cana, who was a steal at £5m and are possibly getting Chamakh, both Arsenal targets) think we are a mediocre club, and why would these such players want to come to the North East.

These people have never gone North of the M25 so how do they know what Sunderland looks like. I’ve walked all over London, they don’t have a leg to stand on. Why do they also think they have a devine right to fourth spot. They’ve lost it this season, they just don’t know it yet.

Tuesday afternoon moan over
Lee Nichols

Dear ALS

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Harry Redknapp is a nasty piece of work? He lets everyone else do the graft in agreeing fees and stuff for a player and then suddenly he is interested?

He is a very sly man. He upsets clubs buy saying in public that he is interested even though he hasn’t talked to the club first. I really do hope we sign Crouch, but I think his mind will already be made even before he goes to talk to Harry and Spurs? London or Wearside?

I would hate to live in London personally but footballers seem to love it? I just wish we could sign a big name player that will send a statement of intent to the rest of the players out there thinking that the North East isn’t the place for them?

Obviously it can’t just be the North East as the barcodes never seemed to struggle in attracting players such as Ginola, Asprilla and recently Owen. Clearly money talks, but if that’s what it takes then we have to be paying more in the wages department which I’m sure Bruce probably knows?

Anyway, fingers crossed we get some more players this week?

Dave Welsh

Dear ALS

I hope I'm wrong but as I write @ 18.30 on Friday I suspect we have zilch chance of Crouch wearing our stripes next season.

Why? Because, whichever chest enhanced female he is squiring at the moment, will tell him she wants to be close to the clubs and paparazzi in London to enhance her career (and chances of meeting some richer, better looking footballer) and that my friends shows what a shame football has become.

I've read a blog on t'internet which suggests Craven Cottage has as good an atmosphere as the SOL. Where do these Muppets get their ideas? If he comes he'll go up in my estimation but if he chooses Fulham it will show his ambition is too low for our needs.

Regards
Paul Dunn

Dear ALS

I think realistically we should be signing players like Darren Bent, Richard Dunne, Lee Cattermole etc. I would like to see them at the club along with David Bentley, Adam Johnson and maybe a couple of full backs because we are lacking in that department at the moment.

We need a strike partner for Kenwyne Jones and I’d like to see Bent fill this role. We have been strongly linked with Peter Crouch recently but personally I would prefer Jones, although the way the rumours are going it looks like Crouch will be the one in the Sunderland shirt next season. I think he’s a better all round player and I don’t really rate Crouch. We need some decent wingers to supply them, maybe some young pedigree in Adam Johnson, who is rated very highly by Boro fans, and maybe a more experienced player like David Bentley. Even though he didn’t have a very good season last year a Spurs he is still a player I’d like to see at Sunderland.

I reckon Rico should retain his place in centre midfield, if he can sort his finishing out and if we can bring Cattermole in to partner him there then they could be a very good central midfield pairing. Hopefully they’d bring some creativity into the team and we’ll get plenty of goals next year. Cattermole would add that extra bit of strength and heart that we’ve needed for so long, and could even be a contender for captain next year.

Now onto keeping clean sheets. I think Gordon needs a proper chance in goal to show what he really is capable of, so I’d keep him between the sticks for now. Ferdinand should keep his place, partnered by Dunne, and if injuries occur Collins or da Silva are fully capable of stepping in. Bardsley is a decent player but not good enough for the level we are aiming for, so it would be ideal if we could get another player in to replace him and use him as cover. Collins did well at left back for the last two years, and McCartney hasn’t really proven himself yet so I’m unsure him. I don’t really think we need a new left back but it would be useful to get a good established Premier League player in that position.

We have a lot of deadwood at the minute, for example Stokes, O’Donovan, McShane, Murphy (although it looks like he’s off to Hull). We need to get rid of this lot because they’re just holding the rest of the squad back. We should buy a few alright players, of a higher standard than these, as cheap as we can just so there’s a few players who can step in when needed because these players are shite. They need replacing fast.

I believe that we need to keep the likes of Tainio, Reid, Malbranque, Healy, Fulop, Collins, Bardsley, McCartney and Leadbitter because as squad players they are good and a lot better than the names above.

Last of all, I reckon Brucey will do a good job as manager and hopefully will fully establish us as a Premier League team, and get rid of that yo-yo status we’ve adopted over the years. I have faith in him to sign some good players in the summer.

Thomas Dunn

Dear ALS

Steve Bruce, he certainly isn’t a bad appointment. He has experience has done reasonably well at Wigan and Birmingham. However, this is evidently his moment to fully prove his credentials. He’s come to a club with good infrastructure, excellent facilities, a great chairman and strong financial backing. Fairly incomparable to both Wigan and Birmingham, not to mention their shite grounds.

However, in order to gain respect on Wearside, he is certainly going to have to prove his worth. He’s a Geordie for starters, not long ago we were all singing songs about away to Wigan. He will be given all the support he needs by fans and the club. Without being biased, it’s a good move for him. I hope he can meet and go beyond the expectations In Sunderland.

In terms of signings, Frazier Campbell and Paulo Da Silva could both be good acquisitions to our side. They not really worthy of getting too exited about. Although on the face of it, it would seem Steve Bruce has a fairly good record of successful signings. The likes of Paul Sharna, Winston Palacios, Antonio Valencia all spring to mind. All are players that he has taken under his wing and were successful. However, I think it’s important to bring a big named striker into the equation.

Frazier Campbell doesn’t fit that description for me, though he may turn out to be decent. A name like Peter Crouch or perhaps Darren Bent would certainly give the place a lift. More importantly, we need to someone to partner Jones. Ideally, Andy Johnson would be my favoured choice. Realistically, I cannot see Fulham letting him go in a million years. However, can you imagine the little bald man pairing up with super Kenwyne? It’s certainly a thought that gets the pulses racing, for me anyway.

In terms of the approaching season, I genuinely believe that this could well be a strong year for us. It should be, without doubt. Our current team has had a lot of money spent on it; there are evidently some quality players. If Steve Bruce is the right man to utilise them, we’ll have a decent season. As well as this, if the new man brings some quality in and his current signings perform, I’m confident.

Without meaning to state the obvious, we had taken a major step backwards by the end of last season. We had gone from the euphoria of beating the Mags, to being absolutely atrocious. It is easy to overlook how terrible we were, with New***tle being relegated. We were abysmal. Sunderland had entered into complete relegation form and if it wasn’t for minor things going our way (for once), we would have been relegated. After watching our defeat at Portsmouth, I genuinely felt that we deserved to be relegated. A mistake was made long before that though. Ricky Sbragia. He gained no respect from the players and failed to motivate them entirely, culminating in a series of woeful performances. Leading to us clinging onto survival by the thread of our replica shirts. I think it’s important not to overlook this. The players became complacent under Sbragia, something that spelled disaster. Sunderland must never end up like that again. Ever.

Despite Sunderland being shite for the best part of the season, the 08/09 will be remembered for something entirely different. Toon Doon. Whichever way you look at it, the deluded Maggie bastards getting relegated was phenomenal. An occasion which can’t really be beaten by anything else. Newcastle United slipped out of the Premiership despite being managed by both Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer in one season, both of which were hailed as Messiah’s on Tyneside. Season after season, Mags have thought they had the divine right to be successful, merely because they’re Newcastle. In reality, they were slowly transforming into the complete and utter laughing stock of a football club they are now.

To quote the current Newcastle player Habib Beye: "There is no chance of us being promoted the way things are going. There is a sense that everything is just drifting. This cannot go on, it really can't. I feel for the good of my career I have to get away because it is dragging me down.”

Newcastle United are a complete and utter joke of a football club, to use the term loosely. Their neighbours, Sunderland on the other hand have high prospects. How times have changed and rightfully so. The red flag of Sunderland is ready to fly high. In other news, auditions for Tyneside’s next messiah will be held in Greggs, Northumberland Street next week. Ant and Dec were set to present the competition, but they are now the bookies favourite to win it.

FTM
Joe Martin

Dear ALS

Is it just me or is everyone else sick of the blatant lies that journalists print just to create some transfer news?

We are being linked with every man, his dog and his cat oh and his hamster! Then if one of the million stories that newspaper has quoted ever comes off as a fluke they say ‘you saw it here first.’ What a load of tosh. I am keen to here transfer news as much as the next person but it’s ridiculous what these so called journalists get away with.

Sorry for this rant but I’m getting Pee’d off.

Dave Welsh
Gateshead

Dear ALS

Does anyone want to talk football? Without a World or Euro comp to turn to I'm suffering from boredom.

Ok, I'll start. Tevez to MiddleEastlands at a cost of a reputed £75 million over five years. How the hell does that work? If my maths are correct that means 40,000 spectators need to pay £375 per season just to cover his wages. Where does the wages and running costs for the rest of the team and club come from? If speculation about further purchases, with the obligatory overheads, hold water I can only see Man City imploding (or oil prices being tripled) in a couple of seasons if European silverware isn't a regular feature on display at Eastlands.

God help them if they bow to Sammy E'to's demands of £185k after tax. Even with Ellis Short's fortune available I'd hate to think we would go down that route. Imagine the reaction of fans on national minimum wages, buying tickets at £28+ (six hours work after tax), watching half hearted efforts during cold, dark, rainy, winter evenings, (because players from the southern hemisphere are prone to performances like that in December).

That leads me to the speculation surrounding prospective SAFC signings. Bent, one report I read said "Spurs are looking to offload Bent for £12m and Sunderland are interested." Sorry mate but if Spurs want rid of him then £2m is an offload price, especially as his manager reckons his missus is a better striker.

Bramble, Crouch, Lua Lua, Doyle, Hunt et al do not get the heart racing. One name consistently missing from our list that would get me purring with pleasure is Kevin Davies. As he is 30 or 31 we would only get 2/3 seasons from him but he is the sort of player who gives 100% every match. He would compliment Jones and allow us to play with two forwards home and away. He may not be the exotic signing we imagined Cisse to be but he'd be the type of player to cement a season of a top half position with relegation never a factor from December onwards.

As for other signings, I'd like to see, in no particular order, the following qualities a paramount necessity in new recruits. Premier League experience, injury free seasons, gloveless hands, no "drink on a stick WAG" in tow (she may brighten up the place but she'd have too much influence on his demeanour), and finally, the spirit and dedication of old boys such as Bally, Benno, Gabbi, Kaye and the sublime touches of Slim Jim, Frankie Worthington and Smithy.

Over to you boys and girls, who do you want and with what qualities?

Top seven next season
Paul Dunn.

Dear ALS

I thought I would tell you about my findings re the new Toon away strip, please let me explain.

I first saw the shirt on Sky Sports News yesterday afternoon and as they were asking for the Tyneside public to give their opinion I thought I would do a survey for them and here is where I have a confession to make, and one incidentally which I am quite ashamed of, which is that I have a cousin in Benwell. I don't see him very much as he is usually banged up (like most Tyneside blokes ), but as he was out with his tag on I rang him and arranged to come through armed with last night's Evening Chronicle which had a photograph of the new strip in all of its vivid glory.

When I got there I suggested we went around in my Range Rover Sport 4X4 V8 but he said he would pop out and nick a car more in keeping with Tyneside and within minutes he came back with an N Reg Lada, which he said would get him a lot of kudos with his other mates in the Benwell TWOC Crew. He then told me to take off my CP Company polo shirt and my True Religion jeans because if anyone on Tyneside saw me dressed so affluently as that they would realise I was from Wearside and I would end up in the RVI with a knife between my shoulder blades, he did give me one of his Lonsdale tracksuits however so I would look a typical Geordie. So off we went, first around Benwell and Scotswood and then over to Byker and Walker. Incidentally you may be surprised that he agreed to do this, but as I had offered him £10 he said it was well worthwhile as he could use the money to go to the Cheap Tab Shop in the Grainger Market and buy smokes for both himself and his eight year old son.

When we drove around I was surprised at the reaction to the strip to say the least, the blokes thought it was like (and I quote) "a custad creem" and " like one of them stripey deckchairs at Blackpool," which I found quite amusing as Blackpool will be one of the more glamorous destinations the skunks will be off to next season. The women however went mad for it, being quite an eloquent speaker I didn't want to ask why as I felt I would be exposed as a Mackem, but eventually I summoned up my best Byker accent and said "Aah divvent undastand how all ye lasses like it so much ye knaa" and was promptly told that the colours matched with their bright orange charva make up which was good, and also if they had shoplifted one for the bairn and he spilt his Greggs chicken slice down the front it wouldn't be noticed and therefore they need not wash it for a month or two.

I really wanted to find out more but there was a cry of "Shite here's the pleece helicopta" and they all headed off into Tyneside night never to be seen again. I however headed off back to Hetton le Hole safe in the knowledge that the new away kit would be a big hit with the Tyneside Charva women, which I reckon will be about 85% of the female population up there.

Dave Gardner
Wear Street
Hetton le Hole

Dear ALS

Now that the dust has settled on our survival and the sad (not) demise of our friends up at Sid James' Park (lets all laugh at the Mags) the time has come to think about next season, what our expectations are, who we would like to see coming in, who should leave the club and also looking forward to some top class pre season friendlies none more so than the Amsterdam tournament and a trips up north to visit Celtic and Hearts. By the way did you know that many years ago Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) FC were known as our 'sister' club up in Scotland. I am not sure if this still applies?

As regards departures my own thoughts are that we should get rid of Fulop he wants away anyway and has never really been settled at the SOL), and Steve Bruce should make Craig Gordon the main man. OK - Gordon did not have a very consistent start to his career with us, and had injuries but I consider he has all the attributes to be a world class keeper - provided he has a decent defence in front of him. I realise this may not sit well with some SAFC fans but that is my opinion.

In defence we need to offload McShane and Nosworthy both of whom are Championship players at best.

In midfield we need to get rid of Whitehead and Leadbitter, despite the latter’s decent end to last season he is not a top class midfield player. In addition I have question marks about Malbranque and Richardson. Both are good on their day but lack consistency. Unless Brucey can instil this into them then I think we should let them go. The same goes for Andy Reid.

Up front we have Kenwyne Jones. This could be a crucial year for Kenwyne. He certainly blew hot and cold last season, and some of his performances were a disgrace. However, we must remember he missed all of the last close season with a bad injury so let’s hope he is firing on all cylinders come August 15th.

In addition to that we have a number of fringe players like Anthony Stokes, Roy O'Donovan and the young lads coming through , Jordon Henderson; Martin Waghorn, Liddle, Kay. Luscombe, etc. I would keep Stokes and give him another chance. I just feel he has something in the locker that we have yet to see and like Craig Gordon we could regret it if he left.

So after all that I consider we need a) Another top class keeper, if Fulop leaves b) another central defender and perhaps left back if George McCartney doesn't show his full fitness c) At least two midfielders, one of which must be a ball winner in the Kevin Ball mould - Cattermole has been mentioned. He would do the job although we may miss him for a few games through suspension. d) One or perhaps two forwards to go alongside Kenwyne. Darren Bent has been mentioned, would he settle in the North East ?

All in all Steve Bruce has a job on his hands, but with the support of Niall Quinn, the backing of Ellis Short and our wonderful fans I am optimistic about the new season. And remember for the next year at least SAFC are the only Premier League team north of Humberside and the Cock of the North.

Ftm
Ken Lawson
Consett Mackem

Dear Mr. Ashley

I am sorry to read that there has been a spate of spoof offers to buy NUFC. I believe that I am in a position to know the full market value of your club due to my experience of being a provider of a wide range of confectionary products including Corley-Worleys, maize-based snacks and fruit-based beverages to local Boy Scouts’ troops and Car Crime Squads in the Kenton and Longbenton area of the toon. Hula Hoops is more popular than Quavers, mind. So here gans.

My bid is: one dead moose; one half-eaten Corley-Worley; one sun-damaged Freddo chocolate frog; one copy of the June 1992 edition of Caravan Monthly (some staining in evidence); one mojo; one blackjack; one half of an Alonzo hard stick liquorice confection; one sherbet dib-dab; a half a bottle of tea-tree oil and a partially-used tin of Fiery Jack. Choller.

The last two items in my bid are for Joey Barton’s famous “Upstairs Downstairs” problems I read aboot in my Notoriously Stupid Criminals book. It’s got pitchers in and everything. Like all four of your previous managers this season I believe in the rehabilitation of the wicked almost as much as I believe in the natural drinks-container supremacy of the waxed-carton-which-takes-a-straw over the grandiose claims of the collapsible-plastic-pouch-with-like-a-tap-like-thingy-onnit. An divvent even taak ter me aboot borrels. Sorry. I get a bit mixed up sometimes.

My offer is of course negotiable. If you get a better offer (not that I imagine you will) I can toss in one full and unopened My-Mums own-brand 50ml borrel of apple and lime flavoured pop and a black and white picture of a Spicy Nick-Nack that looks like John the Baptist strangling an aardvark what I cut oot of the Chronicle. Weird but strangely thrilling. But I’m not putting my salted peanut collection and tabs on the table. Nee way. I’ve got a Cadbury’s Flake in the fridge, well in the freezah really but you’re not gettin’ that either. The Torkish Deeleet’s off limits an all, Mr Ashley, so divvent even gan there. Ah’m puttin’ that doon as the sweetener in the Michael Owen transfer deal fust thing on Monda mornin’. We all knaa wiv gotta move the useless little lazy shite on an it’ll tak a pretty spectacular bit o business ter get shot. The Torkish Deeleet’s the deal-maker. Forty nine pence man. That’s a fortune in Byker.

I feel confident that my bid is by far the most you are going to get offered for your football club so I look forward to becoming the new owner of Newcastle United and can assure you that I will run the club exactly in the style of your good self during what can truly be called The Golden Age of the Toon.

Yours
Mortimer Oldroyd
Managing Director of Aal-Reet Sweets, Provider of All Your Mobile Pop and Kets Solutions to the Geordie Hinterlands

Dear ALS

I suggest people get real. Bruce is not Wenger or Mourinho, it's true; but those who think those two, or Frank Rijkaard or Jurgen Klinsmann, are waiting anxiously by the 'phone for a call from Quinny, clearly need to get out more.

Bruce's track record as a manager is pretty good, actually. At both Birmingham and Wigan he's done a decent job with fewer resources than he'll have here, and he seems to be improving with experience. Most importantly of all, he (or his backroom team) seems to have the ability to improve players. Bramble was a laughing-stock at Newcastle; if you ask Wigan fans, they'll tell you that this year, despite the odd howler, he's looked a goodish player. Could we say the same about many of our own centre backs? Where did Wigan finish? Where did we? Who spent the most money?

As for Bruce being a Mag, who cares? I work in Newcastle. Do you think coming from Sunderland means I don't try to do a good job? And it seems to me that "remember Bob Stokoe" is the perfect reply to the FTM brigade.

I thought Bruce performed impressively at the press conference yesterday. He knows the game, he knows the region, he knows the Premier League, he has a track record of getting his hands on good players from abroad. Plenty of bigger names from abroad, with flashier CVs, have struggled to cut it in the Premiership. So stop moaning, stop building castles in the air, and come to terms with the fact that Bruce is a pretty good appointment, given where we are and how our team performed this year. Let's just think ourselves lucky. If results had gone differently a couple of weeks ago, we wouldn't have got a manager like this in our wildest dreams.

Charles Marshall

Dear ALS,
 
As we enter a new chapter with the confirmed appointment of Steve Bruce, I would like to give my sense of reality to Niall's decision.
 
He was not my first choice either (Curbishley was, look where Charlton were before him and now) but some of the letters and thoughts on this page beggars belief. Why on Earth would Rijkaard (last job Barcelona), Martin O'Neill or David Moyes come to Sunderland? We have achieved less (and by quite some margin) than Boro in the last ten years; that's easier to admit after their relegation.
 
We want the next Fergie/Shankly? So does everyone but you're picking them out purely on hindsight. Who were they before their Aberdeen and Liverpool success? Ferguson's first four seasons had Man Utd. Finishing 11th, 2nd, 11th and 13th. I'm convinced that after finishing second our fans would not have tolerated the 3rd and 4th seasons and hounded him out before the real success began.
 
And as for proof he's not the right man because the Daily "it's in here, so it must be true" Star says we might bid for Bramble...
 
Also, please correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Niall had a five point plan and not a  five year plan that everyone seems to be quoting. We are coming up to his fourth year and after two nail biting seasons are now in position to reach point three; establish ourselves as a Premier Club. Steve Bruce could be the man to ensure this happens.
 
Finally, two and a half years ago Steve took his Championship Birmingham side to St. James' Park and won 5-1. I would not have liked to do that to Sunderland but that's called professionalism, something us fans probably haven't got.
 
Simon Sinclair
S.A.F.C. - The North East's Premier Team

Dear ALS

There seems to be a near panic regarding the appointment of Steve Bruce should it happen, but why?

We've scraped staying up twice now and I don't see it being a bad move as I think with a few wise buys (Valencia, Sharner, Kirkland from Wigan maybe plus the reported interest in Crouch and Bent) we can finish mid-table comfortably next season with SB in charge.

I know he's a Geordie and to be honest he wouldn't be my first choice (I wanted Jol or O'Neil but ones got the Ajax job and the other wants to stay in the Midlands for family reasons) but unless I'm very much mistaken didn't he had a very good record against the barcodes, so I don't think it's an issue to be honest. If anything being from the north east he'll understand what the fans want which is to be an established presence in the premier league and for god’s sake have a go at the cups.

Quinn saved our club so if he wants Bruce then I'll back him 100%

Michael Frost
Sunderland born and bred and proud of it

Dear ALS

This is probably too late and Bruce will be slotted in; which will negate the words below, however I will reissue this letter when Bruce is sacked or happily revise them if he is a success.

What’s the hurry? There is no need to employ a manager yet whether it’s Steve Bruce or Bilic or Strachan. Take your time Quinny. We all know what you want: intelligence, strength, charisma, passion and proven success at the highest level. So where does Bruce the manager, come into this?

I know it sounds bizarre (not that it should) but we need the next Alex Ferguson or Shankly, seriously that’s what we need and let me add my own suggestion, someone with their knowledge and skill base set in the future. If this is not too much I would also like them to display the traits of a thoroughly decent human being who will kick the living shit out of anyone not prepared to fight for the club or respect its heritage and community. Is this really too much to ask?

Calm down, think about it. What’s Martin O’Neil doing at Aston Villa? Get him out of there! Bring him to where he belongs he always looks so sad at Villa. As the T-Shirt says, “Keep a cool heed Quinny! All comes to he who waits!”

Semper Fidelis
West Sussex Exile

Dear ALS

Some people seem to think it’s wrong of the fans to have an opinion, I respect Quinny as much as anyone but he is making another snap decision that affects us all and not taking into account the fans reaction.

Where do you think SB will live, where does his family and friends live and where will he spend most of his time socialising? If anyone thinks the answer is Sunderland they are mad, and if you think it won’t affect his job just remember Lee Clark and the pressure he was put under by his Maggy friends. How will SB feel when half the stadium is singing FTM? Of course we will back him, we've no real choice but that doesn't make it right. By the time this gets posted we will already be screwed but remember the words of Petula Clark:

"When you are low
There’s just one thing you should know
And it will make you smile
Toon Doon"

All the best for next season
Keith
Fulwell

Dear ALS

It seems we are, as a bunch, getting our knickers in a twist over Bruce.

Every manager has goods and bads. Mancini, superb in Italy, no idea how he'd do in the Prem. Bilic, no experience of the transfer market. Why do people think he'd be good just because he's Croatian? Peter Reid was English and he still bought Marcus Stewart. Jol, gone to Ajax, I’m pretty gutted. So, Brucey.

Yes he's a Mag and he signed Titus Bramble, these are the bads. The goods, got PL experience, first and foremost. I read a lot saying he hasn't done anything. I think keeping Wigan up at all is an achievement, and eleventh that's something we could wish for.

I also read things criticising his transfer policy. Valencia would do nicely, cheers. It doesn't matter who he buys, if he takes us up to top half, at first is fine, and a marked improvement on our past season. He's also never had a significant budget.

Finally, top managers aren't generally born top managers. Experience makes them it, and he's technically a young manager. He's learnt his trade, now to push on with a big club and make a name for himself?

Forget he's a Mag, I’m sure Fergie didn't grow up a United fan. And of course if we do rubbish I’ll look like a twat and rightly so.

Much SAFC love
Stu

Bristol

Dear ALS

I'll trust St Niall's judgement regarding the appointment of Steve Bruce but do support all the comments made to date about his managerial credentials to do the job and to take the club forward.

I was really hoping for a manager who had the proven ability to:

1. Successfully introduce some of the cracking Youth Players we have into the first team and
2. Attract a few top drawer Premiership and International players to Sunderland and
3. Get a team playing great football and
4. Get great results

Gerard Houllier has a track record in all of these areas but unfortunately Steve Bruce only ticks half a box.

Let's just hope that he surprises us all. Bruce has got the same hair colour and gnarled monkey like features of Peter Reid and if he could bring back some of the performances that we all witnessed with Reidy between 1998 and 2001 I'd be a happy man.

However, with the gossip being that Bruce's first signing will be Titus Scramble I have a few doubts.

Bruce Elliott
Darlington

Dear ALS

For all those people out there who think true Mackems don't want Steve Bruce just because he is a Maggie check out the BBC rumour page:“ Sunderland will make a £5m bid for Wigan defender Titus Bramble, once Steve Bruce is installed as manager. (Daily Star).”

Surely this is sufficient to convince people he is just not right for the job. This was a great opportunity to get a European manager who has contacts throughout the world to maybe unearth the next Fabregas, now we will be scouring the rain forests of Equatorial Guinea and Gateshead Boys Club!

Come on Quinny/Ellis; don't sell us down the river with another mediocre appointment

Semper Fidelis
FTM
Mick Stafford

Dear ALS

I’m organising a piss up down in the dales in Hawes for Sunderland fans to celebrate the Mags relegation on Saturday 27th June. We have Tommy Lynn and a few of his lads coming along for the weekend, plus lads from various parts of Sunderland, Whitehaven, Blackpool, Skipton, and Selby.

All are welcome, hope to see you there...

Trev Sharples
FTM

Dear ALS

Why do so many fans think they have some divine right to a say in the next managerial appointment?

Niall Quinn is an excellent and intelligent chairman who will be trying to emulate the steady building of football’s more successful clubs whilst learning from his own mistakes and the mistakes of others including our friends up the road. Have any of these fans stopped to consider what happens when an incompetent chairman appoints the fans’ romantic notions à la Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer? Where are they now?

Have faith in Quinny’s appointment (whoever it may be) in the knowledge that he will appoint the best possible candidate available to SAFC at this moment in time.

Dave (Herrington)

Dear ALS

Put quite simply, Bruce has done nothing as a top-flight manager. In lower divisions, he was even sacked by Huddersfield after taking them to the bottom of what is now League One. Hardly a gold star on his report card. It seems we're turning down Mancini (who won three Serie A titles) in favour of someone who has shown less loyalty than a twenty quid tart, and who has walked out on more than one of his previous clubs. As for his so-called transfer acumen, yes, he has signed some decent players; anyone who pays over £4.5m for Clinton Morrison (shades of us and Chopra) has got to have serious questions asked about him.

The fact he is a dyed-in-the-wool Mag is irrelevant. He simply hasn't done it at the top level as a manager, and we need someone who has, or at the very least who can. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that Bruce is not the man.

My worst case scenario? If (and it's a huge if) he joins us and does a good job, and Mary Poppins fails up the road (as he surely will), the Skunks will come after Bruce. It's the only managerial job he truly wants, since he hasn't got a hope in hell of landing the Man U job when Fergie quits. They want winners, simple as that. My guess is that Bruce would be off like sh*t off a shiny shovel, leaving us in the lurch like he has left other clubs.

Anyone want to suggest I'm wrong? Come on, Niall, bin this idea quickly. The fans will rally round any new manager, as they have done for the likes of Wilkinson and Sbragia, but appointing Bruce might be a step too far. And as for paying compensation to get him!

Keep the faith!
Lawrence Potter

Dear ALS

I accept that Steve Bruce is a "failed" Geordie (as most are) but I wasn't aware he had particularly failed as a Premiership club manager. You say that Niall and Ellis Short should give the fans a say, well as you know nothing is ever decided by committee and every fan will have a different manager they think is up to the job, if we were talking about Bilic or Mancini people would be writing in saying they were untried in the Prem and look what happened to Scolari etc, etc. Unfortunately, the modern football fan is (very) fickle, and just because we buy a ticket to the game, or a shirt from the club shop, we somehow feel this entitles us to tell the club how to do its business.

The bottom line is Short owns the club, and he and Niall will get in who they think is best equipped to do the job, and we must either get behind him, or vote with our feet. I prefer to get behind him, because as I said in the previous mail, we would not be where we are today without Niall and Short himself, don't forget Short bankrolled Keane's last spending spree (which included as well as some of the bad buys, Malbranque and Cisse who helped us stay up this season) because Drumaville couldn't afford to, and sanctioned the cheaper season tickets/u16's for a quid a game etc, so I believe we owe it to him to give whoever they choose (even if it is a Mag) a fair chance to prove themselves.

If it doesn't work out, then I think Short (unlike Ashley) is shrewd enough and got deep enough pockets to move to put things right, so I wouldn't worry too much, but I honestly believe if it is Bruce that he has the credentials and professionalism to do a very good job at Sunderland and this will be the first job he's really had where he will have real buying power. Niall Quinn said that he wants a team of "men with a strong mentality" at Sunderland and I think Bruce will provide that.

Trevor (Cambridge)

Dear ALS

Sunderland deserves a manager that will bring a new era to the club. When Niall Quinn and the Drumaville Consortium took over, Sunderland were given a chance that few football teams are given, a good chairman and money to spend. Keano blew that chance and wasted millions on second rate players. With Ellis Short we have a second chance that we cannot afford to squander.

The appointment of the right manager is imperative and we appear to be rushing it. There seems to be an old boys’ network in football where failed managers names keep appearing and why should we settle for the next name out of the hat i.e. Steve Bruce. Not one person in the factory I work at wants this failed Geordie and I think Niall will seriously let down the Fans if he is given the post.

If we are to attract exiting European players we need a manger to suit, at this time the best man on the cards would be Slaven Billic. I think Niall and Ellis Short should attempt to find out who the fans want before any appointment is made as this may be our last big chance for decades and we cannot fail.

Keith Wilkinson
Sunderland

Dear ALS

Regardless of who is appointed manager, we should get behind them and support them with all the Sunderland passion we can muster.

Why? Because Niall Quinn has saved the club from virtual extinction and has the club's best interests at heart and deep down we all know that he will only give the job to someone who he has grilled thoroughly and believes that the person has the passion and professionalism for making SAFC a great club again. So if it is to be another ex-ManU player for our new manager, (the previous one who we hated as a player but forgave and adapted a Paul McCartney song for him), then perhaps we ought to do likewise for the new guy (who is supposedly a Mag at heart, but wasn't Stokoe?) and, in the words of John Lennon sing "All we are saying, is give Bruce A Chance".

Whatever, Keep The Faith, the potential for stability and possible great things are in the offing (unlike our friends up the road).

Trevor (Cambridge)

Dear ALS

Sunderland are on a collision course with a lot of Sunderland fans if they appoint Steve Bruce as manager.

Not one of them who I work with are happy we are even linked with the guy. Not because he’s a Mag, it’s because we were thinking big name who would attract some big name players, no offence to Steve Bruce but he isn’t going to set anyone’s pulse racing who is a decent player, their agent will say to them…”Sunderland are interested” and they will say no thanks because they won’t think we are ambitious enough when we have appointed an average run of the mill manager. I truly hope I’m wrong and he turns out to be the best manager ever but I really don’t see me be proven wrong.

I will always follow Sunderland and will no doubt have to give whoever is in charge my backing but I tell you now that if things don’t go to plan in first few games be prepared for the backlash from the faithful who can go every week. If it does turn out to be Steve Bruce then good luck, that’s all I’m saying.

Dave Welsh
Gateshead

Dear ALS

I have read the various letters to you regarding the appointment of a new manager.

I do not believe the fact that Steve Bruce is an accepted ‘Mag’ should influence whether he gets the job, the critical decision as far as I am concerned is that we get the right man for the job. I believe Bruce has done a fair job at the clubs he has managed but if the Club are serious in looking for a high profile manager then he clearly does not fit that bill.

A number of high profile names have been mentioned, but my choice, Martin Jol, has been snapped up, but the likes of Rickjard, Klinnsman, are available and there are bound to be a few others who become available now the season has ended. I would be happy to see both David Moyes and Gianfranco Zola linked as both are at clubs where they have achieved a huge amount with limited resources.

Let’s not be too hasty in making the appointment. I am sure Ellis Short will not rush in to making a knee jerk appointment, for despite it being stated that Quinny will be dealing with football matters I believe our new owner will ensure we get the right man. When you have amassed his wealth decisions are made after carefully considering all the options.

I look forward to the new season with optimism that I don’t recall having for many years. I will always support what I consider the one true football club in the UK.

H’way the lads
Philip Herdson
Bridgnorth Shropshie

Dear ALS

In response to the letter from David Stephenson. I would have misgivings about appointing anyone as SAFC's manager if their heart was encamped on Tyneside purely due to recent or modern animosity.

I have only been enjoying/suffering as a Sunderland fan since 1959/60 whereas my dad frequented Roker Park from the late 40s. He often tells me that Saturday afternoon was the time they went to Roker or if they were away then Sid James Park was the destination. If for some reason both teams were away then Hartlepool benefited from their entrance fee. The poor standard at Victoria could be augmented by looking over the wall to watch the dog racing.

To get back to the point, this animosity with them up the road is a two generation (40 years) thing. We who were brought up on Hurley, Clough, Sharkey etc didn't really subscribe to the hatred until perhaps the mid 70s (ironically during the rise of hooliganism). This explains how Bob Stokoe was welcomed into the fold without any thought of his Mag connections. This also applied to any players who wore both sets of stripes. If they put a good shift in at the face then they were welcome in our hearts. Events of the late 30s early 40s had made people forget past politics and enmity within adjoining communities.

Unfortunately the past thirty years or so has seen us revert to the norm of hating anyone who worships on Tyneside or Teesside. As for Steve Bruce, my misgivings are based on ability and his record. What has the guy ever won? Nowt, that's what. He hasn't set any hearts beating in Sheffield, Huddersfield, Wigan, Crystal Palace, Birmingham or Wigan again.

Maybe with a war chest bulging with Ellis Short's dough he could make a better fist of it than Keane did with £80 million but when it comes to attracting class players, Sunderland AFC doesn't make eyebrows flutter among the quality continental players and the name Steve Bruce wouldn't make any difference to those players thinking.

We need a name that conjures up excitement when a player is asked if he fancies moving to the North East. At this stage I confess that apart from the few obvious names I am at a loss to suggest anyone who fits the bill. There's not many managers about who actually have a trophy win on their CV.

Do we go with potential from a young manager with fire in his belly or old timers seeing out their working days while taking advice from tabloid hacks as to who we/he should buy? One thing that does concern me is how much we will have to pay for players now that 200 million has been mentioned. Chopra cost £5 million but I believe Cardiff would have taken £2 million (£1 million profit) if it was Wigan, Stoke, Portsmouth etc enquiring when we got him and that is a major problem we will encounter again next season.
The lists we read in the papers are formulaic and produced by idle reporters who need to fill a few column inches.
Curbishley: get away man, what the hell has he ever done?
Ericksson: mercenary, more interested in what local talent is like and I don't mean footballers.
Bilic: who? Won a few games at international level and no Prem experience.
Strachan: My missus could manage Celtic to a couple of titles and cups.

The list goes on but never gets interesting. It would if Capello was on the list, wake up Paul, sorry I was day dreaming Whoever gets the job however should be backed by us. Remember, Fergie was a cup win away from the sack after four years at the club and I recall he went on to better things. I think.

Paul Dunn
Derbyshire

Dear Ron of Alberta

Thanks for your comments on my letter to Niall regarding Steve Bruce. No-one is advocating that the SAFC board should make managerial decisions to appease the ‘crazed demands of the mob’ as at Newcastle.

However, neither can one ignore the fact that the majority of Sunderland fans wouldn’t support Steve Bruce, especially when the chips are down, due to his background. The ‘relationship’ with our neighbours has degenerated significantly since the days of Bob Stokoe. Very sad, but absolutely true.

When combined with Mr. Bruce’s ‘success’ at Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Birmingham and Wigan, why on earth would we want him as our manager?

Regards
David Stephenson

Dear ALS

I want to respond to the letter from David Stephenson specifically David's feelings about the possibility of Steve Bruce being appointed manager of SAFC.

Over the past several weeks I have read on many, many occasions that one of; maybe even the major, contributing factor to the demise of NUFC is the influence of the Toon Army on how the football club has been managed. The supporters of NUFC were less than happy at the appointment of Big Sam and Ashley listened and reacted to their displeasure by firing a man who in my opinion is a very decent manager under whose leadership relegation could have been avoided. Ashley once again listened to the crazed demands of the mob and appointed Keegan (Messiah) a man with dubious claims to Geordieism, the mob were appeased until things began to disintegrate and the Chosen One departed - was it by helicopter? Then the fun really began with the appointment of Brother Joe another unmitigated disaster. Joe's blushes were saved only by his dickey ticker. The Geordie media, supporters and pundits were all screaming for Shearer and once again Ashley reacted and the second Messiah was hailed. Net result - RELEGATION!! While the dark angel of relegation may or may not have come to St. James Park regardless of who sat in the manager's chair my point is it came partly as a result of appointing manager(s) the man (men) the supporters demanded.

If David and others have the faith and the belief in Niall Quinn's ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of SAFC he (we) should allow the chairman and the board to appoint the manager who is best qualified and committed to the plans the owner, chairman and board have drawn up for the club. I for one don't really care where the man is from or which team he supported as a boy. I have seen the manager’s chair occupied by a multitude of men most of whom earned the respect of the SAFC supporters; from Billy Murray to Ricky Sbragia (count how many years that covers). We did have one manager who claimed to be a Mackem he took us into the old 3rd Div. Let's not forget we also had a manager who not only supported NUFC he played for them and there's a statue outside SoL to honour him!!

Managers come and go sometimes more frequently than we would like; but the club we hold dear carries on, maybe a little lumbering and stumbling but still there.

Finally to the lads who give their time and considerable talents to ALS a huge "Thank you" from this aged Mackem-in-Exile for a job well done.

Ron Whan
Lethbridge, Alberta
Canada

Dear Niall
Re: Steve Bruce  

First of all, I would like to convey the heartfelt thanks of our family for your commitment to Sunderland Football Club, without which we would be languishing outside the Premier League.  In particular, your ability to bring in funding from Drumaville and Ellis Short means that we have a real chance to succeed.  Your passion for the club is incredible and greatly appreciated.

We have a huge opportunity to move onwards and upwards.  However, this opportunity would be wasted should we fail to appoint the right manager.  Therefore I felt that I must write to express our grave concern about reports linking the club with Steve Bruce.

Steve’s track record as a manager is extremely mixed and there have been times when he has been ridiculed; in fact, his only real success in the Premier League has been achieving 11 th place with Wigan this past season, largely by using limited resources to build a very physical side.  Their season was obviously much better than ours, but is this the extent of our ambition?

You will have witnessed the great celebrations following Newcastle’s relegation. You will also recall the accusations levelled at Michael Chopra when he passed across the 6 yard box when through on goal at St. James’s Park.  The vast majority of Sunderland fans have an almost pathological suspicion and dislike of everything Newcastle United.  Such views may be illogical and unreasonable, but they do exist in the hearts and minds of most Sunderland fans.

There will be times next year when the team is struggling and the fans need to stay behind the team and its leader, the manager.  Steve Bruce will always be looked upon as a committed Newcastle supporter and with extreme suspicion; as such, he will never command the full support of our fans.  And without such support our opportunity to push onwards and upwards will founder. 

Niall, you understand the fans, so please recognise that appointing Steve Bruce will simply not work.

Thank you again for your tremendous commitment to our football club.

Yours sincerely
David Stephenson

Dear ALS,

I support what Makem Paul says. Niall Quinn has been magnificent for this club. Niall has given the club integrity and community spirit. Sadly no luck of the Irish as yet, although that was always suspect given Irish history – hard work is need by committed professional football players with strategic intelligence at the managerial level.

Look where the gaps are ;-a coach who is now a manager and a bunch of players who lack courage. Nothing wrong with the Chairman he appointed the manager everyone said he should and bought in players the manager wanted. I bet these are all great in training but they are all terrified on the day that it counts.

Danny Collins, stands out not because of his skill but because he shows others how important the club is to the supporters. It’s not about Niall, it’s about honesty, our players haven’t got it. What I can never understand about professional footballers is  that, when they put on the red and white stripes they don’t think ‘fuck me I’m getting paid to do this bring it on’.

In this case we are playing good Chelsea team  I would be saying I‘m going to show you lot what I can do!. But no, we have to consider their mental health, that they’re nervous, that it’s only natural they should be scared.

Feck off! maybe when they were kids but not after they have played for years – they are supposed to be professionals. If I went to work like that I would be sacked and my job is a lot more important than theirs. It is dishonest and Niall is not.

So it is left to the supporters again to keep the faith, we will survive only because other teams are worse than us.

We will rebuild quicker and surer with Niall than any other Chairman he is the only success we have had this season.

Semper Fidelis
Richard

Dear ALS,
 
Ever get the feeling that we have been here before?! Does it surprise you that despite unheralded amounts of millions having been spent on new players over the last two years like never before in the history of the club that we are here again?!
 
It shouldn't. Really it shouldn't.
 
But it does.
 
This is perhaps what makes this relegation battle all the more frustrating. We dared to dream of better things when Niall and Keane guided us to promotion. Indeed, better things seemed to be a matter of when and not if.
 
Step one was achieved with relative ease. Promotion.
Step two was more difficult. First season survival. But it was achieved.
Step three was always going to be the most difficult. Taking that 'next big step' and troubling the top half of the table - Europe even.
 
Seeking to achieve step three this season has been disasterous for a whole host of reasons and whilst we began the season with hope and expectation we now all suffer for daring to believe all our hopes and expectations were possible. Even probable in time.
 
The lack of commitment on the pitch this season has been scary to say the least. No one can doubt the ambition and commitment of Niall and his financial backers (whoever that may be - Ellis Short or Drumaville) - they invested heavily and not one supporter can question this.
 
Roy Keane had guided us through steps one and two - it was only right that he had the chance to try and achieve step three. Whilst we raised an eyebrow to some of his signings the calibre of player was a noted improvement of that we were used to - Malbranque being the prime example.
 
Keane left (and I still believe that the time was right for him to leave - albeit the way he did it was gutless and a kick in the teeth to all those who believed in him) but the thing that left with him and that which we miss the most is his passion and commitment. He may have been tactically naive and unable to man-manage players but he was a winner and his will to win was unquestionable. This created a bond between player, manager and fan alike.
 
This mentality was beginning to manifest itself in the club as a whole (look at the Reserves and Youth teams this season) but six months later the 'first team' look lost.
 
The players seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief when Keane left and were tripping over themselves to champion the appointment of Sbragia. It seemed to be that they genuinely rated the man. Now we have to question whether they were simply looking for the easy ride. A chance to escape the high standards Keane set and slip into the easy life. In other words a chance to take the piss.
 
Can anyone honestly say that they whole heartedly agreed with the appointment of Sbragia?!?! We had a chance to appoint a proven manager (who that should have been I do not know but there were other candidates) - I think its fair to say we missed a huge opportunity to carry on the progress we had made. Shoot yourself in the foot syndrome I think its called. We have suffering from this disease for a long long time.
 
Sbragia - top coach (according to those in the know) and a nice guy but we have had too many nice guys manage us in the past and it got us nowhere. Absolutley nowhere. I'm all for a nostalgia trip to the days of Roker Park when we battled hard on limited resources under Crosby, Buxton and Butcher but it was shit and we all know it. Sbragia falls into this category.
 
I have never been as utterly bored listening to a man speak. His pre-match interviews are dull and bland. His post-match interviews are lifeless. Same old rubbish every time. Did anyone else get annoyed listening to the man laud a 0-0 draw at Bolton?! Embarrasing. His body language is also appalling during games - during the Portsmouth game he visibly sunk into the dugout at times. He looked lost and not a clue where to turn to rectify the situation. This transpired onto the pitch. No leadership anywhere to be seen.
 
Can you imagine listening to a team talk from this man?! No wonder we look lifeless from kick off. Passion just does not enter his vocabulary.
 
I don't want to criticise him too much though as he inherited a team that was on a downer and admittedly he brought a few decent results initially. But the performances over the last two months (at least) have been woeful for which I foremostly blame the players but he has to hold his hands up too. Whether he really wanted the job I am not sure but he took it and whilst I believe he is trying his best - his best is simply not enough. It's glaringly obvious.
 
We just need to get through Sunday. Desperately. If we do we can re-group and hopefully Niall will appoint the right manager in the summer to sort this mess out. I think Niall is a bit naive at times but we all owe him big time and whilst he may have made the wrong decision to appoint Sbragia I am not going to question his motives or intentions. He thought he was doing right by the club. As always. Long may that continue.
 
Whilst I/we don't feel Sbragia is the right man for the job and I/we would love the chance to tell the players what we really think of their attitude and commitment for this club - we need to back them to the hilt on Sunday as they are all we have at present.
 
Lets really get behind them all this Sunday and inspire a performance that we are all desperate for!!
 
Keep the Faith!
 
Lee Watkins.
North Stand.
Newcastle upon Tyne.

Dear ALS,

I'm writing to add my wholehearted agreement to Mackem Paul in his support for Niall Quinn.

Yes, this has been a dreadful season - and it may yet get worse - but I can guarantee you that no matter how bad you might feel if we do go down on Sunday there's one bloke who'll feel worse - Quinny.

I don't believe he became chairman for money or fame, I believe he did it because he felt genuinely gutted for the Sunderland fans  when we went down with 15 points.  So he did something about it.  And everlasting respect to him for that.

I also don't see Spag Bol as this evil, secret Mags-fan who's trying to get Sunderland relegated for a laugh. He's just a bloke who took a job on that was too big for him, that's all. Got carried away with the moment, maybe - we've all done that.

Yes, with hindsight Quinny should never have appointed him but come on - be honest - how many of us were crying out against him when we were getting back to back four goal wins early on? 

The blame for me has got to lie with the players who since Spag Bol's formal appointment simply haven't done what they're paid to do.  Maybe that's his fault, maybe it's not, but, as many have said already, you can forgive a lack of ability but a lack of passion is totally unacceptable.

Let's have a big clear out in the summer and move on - Sunderland AFC is far bigger than this current crop of players and will survive.

But lay off Quinny, lads - he doesn't deserve it.

Cheers,
Mike.  

Dear Colin from Boldon

You must have one of the shortest memories on Wearside . Yes Keene dropped us in the crap-yes Ricky should never have been made Manager and yes the best paid players in the Clubs history have totally and utterly underperformed resulting in our present predicament.

However if Quinny hadn’t bothered his arse to pull us out of total freefall we would be looking up at Leeds United now.

Lay off the best Chairman in the Premiership-yes he makes mistakes but he's human like the fans and will always have our best interests at heart. When the Irish backers ran out of money he was ahead of the game and found Ellis Short . Who do you want as Chairman-Bob Murray, Freddy Shepherd or Mike Ashley? Unbelievable

Mackem Paul

Dear ALS

After a disastrous season where the blame for the early season woes were laid fairly at the door of Roy Keane. The players still appear to have no passion, no motivation and no appetite for the relegation dog- fight we are in and the blame for this must lie with Ricky Sbragia.

If we do stay up Ellis Short needs to replace not only the manager, 70% of our first team squad, but also the chairman, as Niall Quinn was responsible for allowing Keane to spend £80m on a squad of sub-standard players. These players were deemed to be surplus to requirements by their former clubs who are enjoying a more successful season without them. Furthermore the club have been prevented from introducing young players to gain premiership experience due to the first team’s continual poor

And inconsistent performances. It is easy to look back with hindsight but the failure to appoint a manager with a proven premiership experience following Keane’s resignation could haunt the club for a considerable period of time, as who will want the job now?

Yours sincerely disappointed
Colin (Boldon)

Dear ALS

Relegation might happen, it might not, but if we are in the bottom three by the final reckoning then it will hit the fans harder than any previous instance in the history of the club. The perception of broken promises and the amount of money spent on an unsuccessful squad lacking in fight and technique under pressure is reason enough to dishearten supporters, but they are insignificant compared to Sunderland’s doomsday scenario.

By doing enough to stay in the Premier League ourselves, we could play a key part in relegating a Newcastle United side managed by, of all people, Alan Shearer. As galling as it would be for supporters on Wearside to see the Mags escape relegation at all, it would without doubt be the biggest kick in the teeth the fans have ever had if our particularly inept local rivals stay up because Sunderland had taken their place in the drop zone. To go down in this fashion would simply be too much to bear for a lot of supporters.

Keith Watson
Cam
Gloucestershire

Dear ALS

I have given Spag every chance to show us that he has the passion, commitment and nous to lead our best squad (on paper at any rate) for many years to a respectable position in the greatest league in the world. Here we are again, one game to go, one win needed against probably the most dangerous team in the league this weekend. Man Utd 2nds at Hull, Villa with nothing to play for v the scum, bloody hell. There is still a mathematical possibility for Chelsea to finish second in the league - and they need to score goals; could it get any worse?

Well, yes it could, actually. Spag Bol coming out with the "let's get a draw" tape recording. Does the "manager" not realise a draw is no bloody good at all - we may as well go out and give it a real go, because a draw and a defeat mean the same thing this weekend. We need the results for Hull and the scum to be exactly the same.

If our manager is content to settle for a draw, then, by definition of the points situation, he must be content to settle for a defeat. What sort of attitude is that?

I agree wholeheartedly with the majority of the other letters - get rid of the overpaid gits who only pull on the red and white for the money, Jones included. Sir Niall was right when he said we fans would forgive almost anything from a team which showed the real desire and commitment which this team has been sadly lacking all season. We won't forgive this team, even if we do stay up.

Michael Graham

Dear ALS

I wrote in a few weeks ago pleading for Quinny to get shot of incompetent clown Sbragia and stick Bally in charge.

He didn't listen to me and a lot of other fed-up Mackems and now we're staring down both barrels as a result after the season from hell. The latest kick in the teeth came this morning when I clicked on the breaking SAFC headlines and read that the dirty rats are now set to jump off the sinking ship. Treacherous Kenwyne Jones vows that he'll stay if we stay up. But if we go down… This from a fella who's helped to get us into this fine mess in the first bloody place…

Worshipped as a Black Cats superstar, Jones has bagged just three goals in fourteen matches since sealing his new megabucks deal in January. And he's looked like he's wanted to be anywhere else except leading the Sunderland frontline in game after game, barely bothering to even break into a trot or raise a sweat at times.

At least Jones put in more effort at Pompey on Monday night and scored, but still missed chances he should have stuck away. Now he's suddenly making eyes at Spurs and inviting Happy Harry to come and get him, days before the biggest showdown of his career.

Loyalty, commitment, honour, pride in the shirt? Don't make me laugh. No wonder thousands of gobsmacked, pissed-off Mackems are lost for words; some of our players would turn archangels and saints to drink.

Whatever happens on Sunday, Quinny's got to get tough this summer. The Big Man must boot out Sbragia and tell the bungling Scot to take a big slice of the first-team squad with him. They've all let us down big time this season. They don't deserve to wear the famous red and white, they don't deserve to wear the badge.

We've got to hope Villa and Man Utd 3rd team do the biz on Sunday and then immediately launch a ruthless Stadium of Light revolution.

Keep the Faith
Red Williams
Market Harborough

Dear ALS

Why are we surprised? It's in the job description of being a fan of this club we love. But this time it feels worse… I think it's because we went into this season with more optimism than usual and I even thought Europe was a realistic possibility. Silly me.

Keane spent a lot of money, and in brought so called 'talented' players. Yet Danny Collins was, again, player of the season. Don't get me wrong, I think the lad is an ok player but the difference is he gives his all for the club. After the cash we've spent, surely you would have thought one of these big name players would have stood out. Not even close.

Sbragia, and thus Quinny have to take the blame for the predicament we are in. one win and two draws in the last eleven league games, five points from a possible 33, at the most crucial part of the season. What is worse is lack of fight and commitment from the players, this solely comes down to the managers inability to prepare and motivate. With relegation staring us in the face, you'd think the players would come out fighting, But the Hull, West Brom and Everton games we created few if any goal chances.

Sbragia's appointment seems to be like the substitute teacher syndrome. Everyone loved the sub teacher at school because you got it easy when your regular teacher was off sick, they were more lenient and you got away with putting in less work and being less accountable. Messer's Cisse Jones and the rest of the premadonnas saw the opportunity to back Sbragia and make their lives easier - I wish I could show up to work, consistently under-perform, put in minimum effort and get paid silly money, oh and have your boss make excuses and back your performances.

If we put out the same team on Sunday we'll get the same lack luster performance and the same result… The reserves and youths have had successful seasons, throw some of these lads in, I guarantee they'll work their socks off and give us some fight, and for that matter stick Bally next to Sbragia with a hope he might frighten the crap out of our current first team.

H'way the Villa
Mark Pennigton

Dear ALS,

After following SAFC for 50 years last night's debacle came as no surprise. After the abject display at WBA I didn't think we would get any more points this season so the Bolton result was a bonus as far as I was concerned.

I have been reading the recent letters and have to say that I agree with everything Paul Dunn has written, the players were happy to get RS as manager because they knew he would not bother them over much so they put in just enough effort to get him the job, and then relaxed.

A draw last night was never going to be any use, we will lose to Chelsea, we needed a win to end the uncertainty and the plan should have been to go for it from the off. RS obviously had something else in mind, perhaps he thought that a draw at Pompey and then a draw with Chelsea was the best way to plan? In spite of it all I don't think we will go down because I cannot see both Hull and Newcastle winning on Sunday. That doesn't mean that we don't deserve to go down, we do because relying on other teams to be worse than you is no way to be. If we are still in the Premier next season it will be a long struggle again unless we can get the right manager (and I have no idea who that might be).

There is nothing wrong with the squad, there are very good players at the club, just nobody with any idea how to make them play as an effective team. Sorry but RS has to go whatever the outcome on Sunday, and I'm sure that he will go.

I will always keep the faith, but it's hard, so hard.

Alan Haile
London

Dear ALS

After watching yet another feckless insipid performance by our overpaid egotistical big time Charlie’s here is something Quinny could do before the game with Chelsea.

The first team should provide a guard of honour for our Reserves,U18s and Women’s teams and let them parade their League Champions trophies. Every other team representing Sunderland AFC has done the club proud and were proud to wear the shirt and for a hell of a lot less than that first team shower. The women deserve a special mention for getting to their Cup Final and not being embarrassed by an excellent side. Our reserves winning a double deserves another mention.

By forming a guard of honour they will see what winners we do have at the club and that they have more heart and commitment to this club than they have. On paper our first team is as good as any bunch of players we have had in my 42 years supporting them but they are not a team. We need a big clear out to rid the club of the ones who have no heart or desire to play for the club and bring in players who will create a team who will not only be proud to wear the stripes but also make us proud of them too.

We as supporters are long suffering and know that SAFC can never do anything the easy way but with the money being laid out in the past three seasons maybe it’s about time that mid table mediocrity should be a minimum. New manager, new players and a team worthy of calling itself Sunderland next season please whatever division we end up in. A quick mention to the branch I am in and if anyone in the Suffolk, Cambs, Herts, Beds, Bucks and surrounding areas wants to join check out the website. The branch runs a bus to every home game and selected away games which are top drawer

Keep The Faith
Ian Dixon
Newmarket
www.a1blackcats.co.uk

Dear ALS

Watching the debacle of last night’s game and spending some time discussing the future with a number of other long suffering supporters, which, in popular opinion is we are heading for the Championship. I just had to say my two pennies worth about the commitment or lack of it, and the abilities of the squad.

There were some notably bad performances last night and that is not an exception, it appears to be the norm when these overpaid prima donnas pull on the beloved red and white. If they can’t or won't perform, let’s get rid, don't wait for a fee just let them go for nought, they ain't worth anything and it would save a few quid n the wage bill.

So starting from the top, Spag Bol has got to go, he hasn't the tactical nous to run a Sunday morning kids team. Top earners who have not shown the mettle to get out of the mess, are but happy to pick up their £30k plus a week, should be the first to be shown the door.

Cisse, Richardson, Reid, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Gordon, would be a good starting point, the list is endless but i guess we have to keep some of them, just so we can show up on Sunday. We don't need or want good championship players; we need and want good Premiership quality players.

Come on Mr. Quinn, don't beat about the bush, sack this rubbish and get a manager in who can attract some decent players, not just in skill terms, but also in commitment and passion. A manager who knows the game and what it takes to win and win. We the fans have the commitment and passion; we want the players to show it also, is that too much to ask. Give us something to hope for in the new season, regardless of which division we are in.

Delboy

Dear ALS

I am thoroughly cheesed off right now. Sunderland AFC does this to us every time and you could almost predict that we would get beat against Portsmouth. Let's face it, we always screw up and make it harder for ourselves, but we should be used to that by now.

We are like the bloody Palestinians and you could safely say that Sunderland never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Logic states that we should not get much, if anything off Chelsea; even if they field a weakened side like Man Utd are certain to do vs Hull. So, Hull should not expect much off Man Utd reserves and as for the Skunks vs Villa, you would assume Villa will notch up a home win.

So, it is still likely that we will stay up because of other results. That is pathetic! It reminds me of the Notts County game back in the 90s when we stayed up because there were even worse teams than us. We have done absolutely nothing since Christmas. Ricky has been talking about the great games we had at Man Utd and Bolton. What? A defeat and a crappy 0-0 result? Yes, we got a point from Bolton but shouldn't Sunderland expect at least a point against the likes of Bolton? I am frankly sick of Ricky Sbragia's droning excuses right now but I don't expect to hear that for much longer. The players wanted him to get the job at Christmas time but they have either not played for him since then or Ricky is farting above his own arse and is way out of his league as a manager. Damn it, there is nothing that boils your blood more than being a Sunderland fan.

Greg Scott
Ohio

Dear ALS

I am now officially fed up of the same old tripe spouted by a non-motivational manager, but the buck stops with the idle, useless, non performing, no heart, no guts players who got him the job.

I don't know what went through the minds of the players when Keane departed but they influenced the appointment of Spag Bol. It's as though they were fed up of the strict regime and saw an easy ride if he was given the job so they performed well enough to prompt Quinny to hire him. They, along with Sbragia, are totally responsible for the shit we are in.

It grieves me to say it but the manager I detest more than any other (Fat Harry) had the balls to ridicule a striker (who cost squillons) for missing a sitter his missus would have scored. That striker came back later and delivered the goals needed to move Spurs up the table. Our manager makes excuses, strokes egos, and ignores other possible strikers because he's worried a potential transfer fee is devalued if he criticises the players. Our manager couldn't motivate a seventy year old with three Viagra tablets in a top class whore house.

I straddled the fence when it came to his appointment, more fool me because my knackers are now in agony as my indecision was as bad Sbragia’s. Circumstances forced me to listen to "5 live" to get the match last night and it was galling to hear Motty constantly say "Sunderland will have to beat Chelsea to stay in the Premier league next season". Does he know something we don't? I thought it would take wins from both Hull and the Skunks to send us down which leads me to my final points. A draw last night would make no difference to next Sunday's match as a win for the other two would still relegate us if we failed to beat Chelsea so why the hell did Sbragia set the team up as if not losing was a good result. The man beggars belief. If we survive he has to go and that means as a coach as well.

I'm probably biased, as he's an acquaintance, but Steve Round becoming Everton's assistant has had an enormous bearing on the season they have enjoyed. Bring him in with an experienced man to assist.

In hope of no shenanigans from the old boys’ network next Sunday.

Paul Dunn

Dear ALS

I have just read in the news that we are changing our transfer scouting system to try and unearth some more gems like Danny Collins. Which I think isn’t a bad idea as long as you still bring in top quality players from Europe and the rest of the world as I truly believe we need to add more flair, pace and skills to be a top ten team in the Premiership.

Sunderland really need some players that will excite the faithful at the SOL as I feel one more season of dross and we will be back to square one. Quinn has done a great job of getting the fans back, now let’s crack on and buy the players he said we would and get the place jumping again!!

I hope to god Ricky keeps us up but I hope we get another manager comes in and gets us into the top ten.

Please keep us up…
Dave Welsh

Dear ALS

I can’t see how we get out of this mess, like many others I left after Everton’s second. If the Skunks stop up and we go down that is it, I am finished with SAFC and will take my lad who is four to watch Donie Rovers.

I can honestly say in the 35 years I have been watching the lads I have never seen such a lazy, idle could not care less attitude from a bunch of players. Maybe it is their egos, their inflated wages, the fact that they will find new clubs at the end of the season whether we stop up or not I don’t know.

But Quinny asks for our support, we give it week in week out but get jack shit in return, do something to stop this Niall. For the last three games bring in anybody to sort this mess out. Anybody. If we stop up get rid of Jones, Sbragia, Reid, Whitehead, Cissee, Murphy, Davenport in most of the crap that was out there yesterday.

Dave Donie Mackem

Dear ALS

In response to Paul Dunn’s letter! Paul mate can’t believe I didn’t think of Bally, my depression has clouded my thoughts! Aye, go for Bally as soon as, surely if anyone can kick their arses and make them play with pride he can!

I have my prayer mat out as I beg to the gods for a change to be made this week! I hope Quinny checks this site out and listens to us…

Big Nic
S/Shields

Dear ALS

** Note of caution this is trying to be positive in the face of our awful performances, for those that want to continue their depression read other letters and then come back to this**

I think everyone is summing up the mood on Wearside very well in the ALS Letters and I want to add just one thing to this. I can forgive a Sunderland side nearly anything but lack of passion. What has depressed me most recently has been the lack of fight and passion that has been in the team. The woeful side of 15 points at least had a bit of spirit and bottle. They were outclassed well and truly week in week out, but at least they were giving their all. I would say Cisse and Jones haven't broken into a sweat since Xmas apart from maybe when they are lifting their wads of cash they are being paid week in week out.

But, rather than get depressed I have decided on a different philosophy. I want WBA to survive and all three North East teams to be relegated. I having been thinking about the conundrum that is the Premiership for Sunderland and have decided I don't like it and in fact the Championship is better. Here are my reasons

1) Our record in the Premiership is pretty poor. We have had two seventh placed finishes and other than that it has been...
96/97 - Relegated 40 points (10 wins 10 Draws 18 losses)
01/02 - Just survived 40 points (10 wins 10 Draws 18 losses)
02/03 - Relegated with 17 points (4 wins 7 draws 27 losses)
05/06 - Relegated with 15 points (3 wins 6 draws 29 losses)
Last season- Survive with 39 points (11 wins 6 draws 21 losses).

That means other than those two seasons we have won just 38 games out of 190 so just 20%. Mostly it is painful and frustrating and just scrapping to survive, with wins being few and far between!

2) Lets contrast that with the record in the Championship

97/98 - Third with record 90 points, epic Wembley final (26 wins, 12 draws 8 losses)
98/99 - Win the league with 105 points steam rolling everyone in our path (31 wins 12 draws 3 losses)
03/04 - Following Premier embarrassment we regroup and come 3rd and get to FA Cup Semi Final (22 wins 13 draws 11 loses)
04/05 - Win the league with 94 points (29 wins 7 draws 10 losses)
06/07 - Caught up in the wave with Keano (27 wins 7 draws 12 losses)

In everyone of these seasons we have performed well and it has been a rollercoaster of emotions, where we have won far more that we have lost 135 out of 230- 58% win rate. We all enjoy winning and coming away from a match buzzing it is this addiction that keeps us going. It is a rare feeling in the Premier though. I have hardly felt that in any of our seasons in the Premier, it is often just doom and gloom with maybe one or two really high moments. Seriously this season the last game I thoroughly enjoyed was Hull back in December! Although admittedly we have had beating the Scum this season!

3) Which leads me nicely onto point number three, and if all North East teams get relegated. Imagine how good that will be if all three of us are near the top next season. The derby will be extra special knowing it could also decide who goes up into the Premier. Although I was too young to go, the G-force at St James when we won 2-0 was an amazing match and what made it even more sweet and special the fact it was in the playoffs trying to get promoted.

4) We become a Big Fish in a little pond. We are without doubt a huge club and in the Championship the best supported. We literally take over towns when we play. Anyone remember Shef Wed and Barnsely when we took 6,000 and 8,000 to an away match will know the feeling. Games like that had an amazing atmosphere and beating people in their own back yard with a huge following feels somehow sweeter. I also remember our first ever promotion season and going to Tranmere on last day. Three quarters of the ground was red and white, it was an amazing feeling.

5) Spag Bol will be fired

and finally....

6 ) Sunderland never ever do what I want or expect. So if I hope for relegation we will probably win our last three games and end up mid table!

Keep the Faith
Robert Crozier

Dear ALS

I'm batting for your side Nic. There is someone at SAFC who could do the job you suggested. Bally has to be allowed to step up to the plate. I'm assuming he has mellowed, as a coach, from his blood and thunder playing days but give him the last three games and I'm damn sure we'd see a change in attitude by the squad.

Can someone at ALS walk across the car park and ask Quinny if he'd consider our request?

On a different note I've just heard on the wireless that Sheep Shagger has suspended Barton indefinitely. I can never, ever, see me even liking the prick (Shearer) but in dishing out the punishment to Barton he has shown that he at least loves our game and does not want thugs to benefit from it.

Sure, I can see that he's possibly after a sainthood cos his Messiah halo is slipping into a noose, but look on the bright side with Owen getting £120k/week and Barton on £60k that's a shit load of money out of the Skunks’ coffers with no return, oh how sweet.

FTM
Paul Dunn

Dear ALS

Can someone tell me if I am alone on this please? I have written in a couple of times now with the hope that others would join me in my quest to get Spag Bol out. Nothing against the bloke as a person as he seems a nice lad, but nice isn’t going to keep us up!

We have three games to keep our Prem status alive and if we continue under this management we won’t get a point, end of. I still think that there will be a twist whether this is with the Mags or Boro and I believe we need at least a point from somewhere. Remember if the unthinkable should happen and one of them get two wins and Hull pick up something we will then meet our maker and be sent to the Championship. I know it’s a long shot be we’ve been relegated too many times for us not to predict the worst.

I still think by someone coming in for the next three games could at least kick the team up the arse and perhaps instil some bite in our performances. We are at present piss poor throughout the side and when players are not even trying you have to look at the players of course but it is up to the management to motivate and get the tell the team what is expected.

I hope and pray that someone will come in for the last three games to give the lads a verbal kicking. I never thought these words would pass my lips but I would even take Peter Reid for the last three games just to let them know what is at stake! Maybe the current situation is sending me to the cuckoo’s nest but desperate times need desperate measures.

Can anyone tell me if they agree, or am I just losing the plot due to this horrible plight in which we find ourselves. All I do know is that if we keep Ricky we won’t get a point for the remainder of the season, and that means one thing, a hope that Hull, Mags and/or Boro mess up.

Who would be a Sunderland fan? I blame my family for years of depression. I’m off to see my councillor!

A totally gutted, dejected and mystified Big Nic
S/Shields

Dear ALS

Now what? We simply haven't got the players, spirit or tactical guile to expect to get the one or two points needed for Premiership survival. But, we do have the best supporters in the country, alas, judging by crowd response, even they recognise this as a lost cause. And who can blame them, they deserve much better?

Sunday was (again) appalling, we had two tactics going forward...

1. Over do it and lose the ball in midfield with sloppy passing, without even threatening the Everton goal.

2. Or, punt long, long diagonal balls up for Kenwyne Jones to flick on to nobody. That's if he managed to win it in the air with at least two Everton defenders (facing the right way) right up his backside. It was so obvious even crash test dummies could defend this ploy with ease.

There was no width, no attempt in the full 90 minutes to get to the by-line and turn their defence. Too many players in our midfield just 'went missing'. Embarrassingly the centre of our defence was carved up at will by a below strength Toffee's side.

True, the Prince of Darkness (Shearer) and his Black and White hordes maybe equally inept, but they have a much easier run-in than us. Boro and Fulham at home will bring them at least the four points needed to catch us up. Taking points away from home, even against teams with nothing to play for, is way beyond us at the moment. So, if we're looking for anything against Chelsea to keep us up then forget it. Say what you like about Hull and their short coming, they have one commodity that we lack, fight!

Sorry to say it, really hope I'm made to eat my words, but Peterborough here we come! And bye, bye Ellis Short and his millions... back to square one. Good luck in the Prem Mick Mc you deserve it.

Jay Dee
South West Mackem

Dear ALS

Playing Jones and Cisse is a luxury we cannot afford right now as it leaves us exposed in midfield and with less than Premiership quality players in this area we never have any great drive and without any motivation to push forward are constantly losing the battle.

It’s interesting to note that with Roy Keane last season and with an arguably lesser quality squad he kept us up with getting his tactics right more often and playing 4-5-1 a lot of the time and grinding out results. If we had taken such tactics against WBA and Everton and gotten a couple of bore draws we would be virtually safe now If you play Jones and Cisse up front you had better have the quality and effort in mid field so why does Sbragia insist on playing Leadbitter with this system who is at best a squad player.

We are running out of time now but a few points could still be the difference, drop Cisse leave Jones up front put five in mid-field with Tainio playing in front of the back four and let’s try and get the points we need. It might not be pretty but at this point who cares as we need time to re evaluate the playing and coaching staff this summer but still be playing Premiership football next season

Brian Robson

Dear ALS

It’s Monday May 4 at 5.10am. I’ve just woken up but for the first five minutes I can’t think why? Is it time for work? No. Are we going on holiday? No. Have I wet the bed? No. Am I losing the plot? Yes.

Sunderland AFC have woken me up and forced me to write what I witnessed yesterday afternoon. Having travelled nearly 200 miles from Leicester with an Evertonian we arrived at the Wheatsheaf. It was jammed solid with SAFC fans and a good few Evertonian. The atmosphere was electric as both fans joyously watched and drank to the mighty Geordies getting mauled at Anfield.

We came out, I am now fully lifted and full of hope. The WBA defeat has been forgotten but not forgiven yet. Everton have a few injuries and are reportedly fielding a weakened side. Whatever can go wrong! I forget like I always do at every SAFC match I attend that this is Sunderland AFC, no normal predictable easy going club. This club is the Man Utd of