Well, the congested Easter period is over and done with. Two games in the space of less than 72 hours and it happens every season. Unlike the Premier League which doesn’t have that in its schedule, this can easily decide where you are going to finish. Sometimes, depending when Easter falls, it can also decide promotion and relegation battles.
EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER
Good Friday was just like a normal day for me to be honest. Up at just before quarter to eight, in the shower, walk the dog and head off to work all in the space of an hour or so. There was no chance for me to settle down and do as little as possible. It seemingly doesn’t have that effect on me for some reason, all work and no rest for me.
As a consequence I would miss the Lads' latest appearance on the TV in the evening against Hull. Aside, we have been pretty well and truly spoiled with live games this season, so much so that I bet some Premier League sides haven’t appeared as often as we have. Therefore, because I hadn’t set the Sky+ for recording either, it was a case of watching for notifications to pop up on my mobile. And it seems that the Lads and Hull served an eight-goal thriller which had everything and more.
When I did manage to see some highlights, it struck me as if both sides were like boxers waiting to land that perfect punch to knock the other one out. One punch from one that causes the other’s legs to turn to jelly then if by some miracle that Lazarus would have been proud of, the wobbly one lands a punch that causes the other to wobble and then back and forth in ninety-plus minutes of pulsating action. I know that if I had been in the SoL my fingernails would have had nothing left of them by the time Keith Stroud’s whistle shrilled for one last time.
WHY REGAN WHY?
What some of you don’t know is that I had a connection with Hull City in the game. Many moons ago, I used to work as a postie in the Sunderland-supporting heartland that is known as Sheffield. Okay, it isn’t really, but that’s where the connection lies. One of my work colleagues there was a lass called Michelle Slater, and do you see where I am going with it? Think about it for a minute...
'Slater' I hear you hark. Yes, for Michelle’s lad is Hull City midfielder Regan Slater. None other than the scorer of the third Tigers goal and the same player Pierre sent tumbling for that last gasp penalty, which Tufan converted to deny the Lads all three points. For once, Regan, please have an off day when you play against the Lads. You can be great against anyone else but the Lads; it’s that simple like. But he put in a shift, a shift that if I was Mogga or his manager would be proud of. He’s only 23 and might be one to keep an eye on.
BLUEBIRDS ARE PUT TO FLIGHT
Easter Monday saw the Lads go on another lengthy away trip, and backed again by another fabulous following - which is still sensational in this current financial climate what we’re in. This time to the Principality, which the locals refer to Cardiff as. And yet another reshuffle of the pack for the 2500 in the away section to follow. A solid performance from the Lads as they out-passed the home side and had two thirds of the possession. And by all accounts, they deserved more than the one goal which decided the contest.
This was the latest in a series of away wins which has given us that glimmer of hope that we can make it back-to-back promotions. The Lads seem to have the ability to find the will to win, and one can only speculate what might have been should we just fall short in the final analysis. At least Dennis “The Menace” Cirkin didn’t manage to concuss himself this time when scoring, unlike his previous tally at the New Den. It’ll probably be the easiest one he will net mind. Just goes to show, we are a team effort rather than reliant upon one goalscorer shouldering the burden. Long may that be the case, eh?
SO WHAT NEXT?
With Cardiff done and dusted, just five games remain and that will be another season put to bed. The Lads are learning all the time and people should understand that. When you look at the age of the squad, only Danny Batth and Corry Evans are over 30 and the average age is a shade over 23. That’s a sign that the Lads are building for the future.
It can be good to add some experienced heads in such as the afore mentioned Evans and Batth but you don’t want to neglect the talent in the homegrown pool. Sunderland has produced many a quality player from the Academy of Light, and these need to be given chances to shine. Mogga believes in them so why shouldn’t we? The likes of Neil, Patto and the academy boys play for the badge on the front of their Nike jerseys rather than their name on the back. If they’re good enough then age doesn’t need to be factored in.
Let’s just have a good strong finish to the season. A top six one would do me just right. What about you?
