Ahead of tomorrow's game against Stoke, we spoke to Lee from the long-running Duck Fanzine to talk about how the Potters have started the season...
Stoke have won one and lost two games so far, and drew with Boro on Wednesday. Are you happy with the start you guys have had?
That will be a conclusive no. The Blackpool home game was decent, but at Millwall we were bullied – set-piece hell. I wouldn’t say I particularly enjoyed watching the penalty shoot-out defeat at Morecambe but it was a delightful sunset and a new ground ticked off. At Huddersfield we were typically wasteful and weak. At home to Boro the other night, we were so inferior it was embarrassing - how we earned a draw is one for NASA. Unrest has been bubbling away for many months and it’s now not far from bubbling over… unless of course that fluky point on Wednesday night (we never EVER avoid defeat when we are that crap), proves to be a dramatic turning-point. You never know…
The side are 18th so far (not that it matters too much). Surely you’re expecting things to improve soon?
They have to. I wouldn’t say there is a demand for promotion but a top 6 challenge should be minimum target. To be honest, like most Stokies I speak to, I would settle for a top half finish if it involved a plan we could get behind and some cohesive, attacking stuff to wake the place up.
What are your thoughts on Stoke gaffer Michael O’Neill?
I’m more patient than most but at best, he’s unconvincing. He came in and steadied a sinking ship in 2019 and has improved the dressing-room culture. He has faced a difficult challenge with the need to release so many mercenaries. But his recruitment is as questionable as it is plentiful. He’s tied to the wing-back formation even when he has no wing-backs. I really hope he proves the doubters wrong but if he’s here 12 months from now, I’ll be surprised. He needs to forge a winning mentality and soon or else. I’ve literally just heard his post-match interview and it’s starting to get worrying… tetchy and arguably a tad deluded. I want it to work and reducing the wage bill can’t have been easy but he needs to give us something to believe in.
This summer, you guys released former Black Cat Steven Fletcher. SAFC fans will be interested to know what you think of him…
We saw him well past well his best but there were still flashes of a really classy player at his level. Injuries ruined what could have been an excellent Stoke career. He also seemed to suffer from small margins, hitting the woodwork more than any other player I recall in watching Stoke for more than 30 years. A top bloke and pro around the place by all accounts – you could see genuine joy in his face when younger teammates scored. Overall a nearly-man for us who could easily have been a top Stoke player had he signed five years earlier.
Have you made any marquee signings this summer, or let any important players leave?
We don’t even have a gazebo, never mind a marquee. Delap could be the real deal if we feed him. Same for Dwight Gayle who I hope is not yet another player we’ve signed a few years too late.
Does the side have any weaknesses for Sunderland to exploit?
I’ll keep it short in case your gaffer is reading. Goalkeeper, defence and midfield. And an attack without service. More specifically, if Tymon and Laurent are out again, we will struggle to create midfield momentum.
Who’s your danger man?
We have a few who are dangerous to us, that’s for sure. In theory, we have a potentially potent strike-force with four vying for two places: Campbell, Brown, Gayle and new loanee Delap. The trouble is, people are currently happier with the service they are getting from energy companies and petrol stations. What a waste. Left wing back Josh Tymon is vastly improved and doesn’t half give it a go - in many games he is our only attacking threat. Our two best players are long-term absentees: titanic defender Harry Souttar and playmaker Nick Powell have both left huge voids.
If you could sign any Sunderland player, who would it be and why?
Jack Clarke seems to have done well for you and he had a promising if short-lived lockdown-era loan at our place. We don’t play with wingers (much to the annoyance of big sections of the support) so he wouldn’t fit in but I liked the way he carried the ball, getting his team up the pitch. Not since Matty Etherington in the Premier League years have we had a player like that. I watched him for you in the play-off semi at Hillsborough when he looked a class above. It will be interesting to see if he can stamp his mark on the Championship. One of those wingers I can see moving inside and dominating the game as he gains more experience.
What’s your score prediction for the game and who will get the goals?
2-1 Stoke. Your old rival Dwight Gayle to break his Stoke duck with a brace. Clarke to do the predictable on his return to Stoke.
It’s obviously early but where do you predict both sides to finish at the start of the season?
If Boro are a top two team, we could yet challenge for the top six. If they are top six, we are mid table at best. I’ll say 12th, drifting in a sea of nothingness. Alex Neil knows the division well and he’ll get you safe in mid table.
Finally, where’s the best place for away fans to get a pint in Stoke?
Stoke-upon-Tent Aka Stoke is the nearest town to the ground, not to be confused with the city of Stoke-on-Trent (the centre of which is the town of Hanley) – few away fans venture into Stoke but if you can slide in, The Glebe near the station is a lovely boozer – real character in its make-up and some nice ales by Joules. However, I would recommend a beer in either Congleton or Sandbach – both towns are 15-ish miles north of Stoke and both offer several good options in close proximity to one another. I think your Geordie pals often pre-book and pack out The Unicorn in Congleton.
