http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/ The home of Electronic Arts Community en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:25:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/images/ea_images_main/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/ http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/1014-steve-bruce-man-take-us-next-level.html Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:23:08 GMT Following the announcement yesterday that Steve Bruce is to be our new manager I am very excited about the future of the club. This is the first time... Following the announcement yesterday that Steve Bruce is to be our new manager I am very excited about the future of the club. This is the first time we have had a Premier League experienced manager at the club since Howard Wilkinson! Hopefully this appointment will go a little better than that one though.

It is no secret that the team at Sunderland needs improved dramtically if we don't want to go through another relegation battle next season. And I think in Bruce we have a manager who will pick up some bargains certainly, but someone who will also not be afraid to spend big. I would expect to see another flurry of signings at the football club this Summer, and first and foremost we need a new centre-forward.

Darren Bent has been a long-term target and apparently we are close to concluding a deal with Spurs already, but we also needs improvement in defence. Calum Davenport's loan has ended and we are unlikely to make the move permanent, Ferdinand ended the season badly and we need an experienced head in the centre to guide Ferdinand aswell as help plug the gap.

I am confident that we will get the men in though, the magic carpet ride is in full swing! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/1014-steve-bruce-man-take-us-next-level.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/987-what-next-sunderland-then.html Mon, 25 May 2009 20:03:53 GMT Well, we have stayed up, and you can argue that we didn't really deserve too. But the bottom line is that there were 3 worse teams than us, which means we have retained our Premier League status, and can now look forward to next season as a Premier League club.

Most Sunderland fans were relieved upon the completion of the season, which I think is safe to say has been a disappointing one, we needed a big name manager, and fair play to Ricky Sbragia he has been the bigger man and publicly admitted after the Chelsea game that he has had enough and that the club need someone with that bit of experience and someone with the reputation to help bring in better players. And as it happens, he has stepped down as manager.

So now the search is on, Sunderland are now the sole north-east represenative left in the Premier League, now who would have thought that at the start of the season? A big name manager is what everyone associated with the club is dreaming of at the moment, and I have faith in Niall Quinn, just some of the names being bandied around at the moment include Claudio Ranieri and also Martin Jol, I think this football club would go from strength to strength with one of the aforementioned incharge.

So the future looks bright for the Black Cats, and it feels good to say that after the pain we have all been through in recent years, add to that the relegation of Newcastle and it just makes it that bit sweeter.

Ha'way the lads! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/987-what-next-sunderland-then.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/944-bolton-vs-hull-so-important-now.html Wed, 13 May 2009 15:10:29 GMT The city of Sunderland grimaced on Monday night when the result of Newcastle Vs Middlesbrough was known. After a good point down at Bolton we all of... The city of Sunderland grimaced on Monday night when the result of Newcastle Vs Middlesbrough was known. After a good point down at Bolton we all of a sudden find ourselves only 2 points clear with a possible 6 left to play for.

Hull are in poor form and following defeat at home to Stoke, have fallen from 6th place at Christmas all the way down to 18th. But if they somehow manage to beat Bolton and Newcastle overcome Fulham, it means Sunderland could find themselves in the relegation zone before they even kick a ball again, seeming as though we don't play till Monday night.

Eyes will be fixed on the clash at the Reebok, a Bolton win would all but sound the death knell for Hull, especially when you look at who they face last game of the season. Indeed if Hull lose and we manage to get something from the game on Monday night then that will be it, because our GD is far superior.

So lets remain Bolton fans for the weekend, Newcastle probably have enough to escape although there are no guarentee's, they will be expected to beat Fulham on Saturday.

Ha'way the lads! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/944-bolton-vs-hull-so-important-now.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/895-west-brom-vs-sunderland.html Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:27:22 GMT A win here and we would have been safe, this was going to be my first away game. I wasn't going to go, but then on Friday night I recieved an email from the guy who runs the Consett Sunderland supporters branch saying he had a spare ticket if I wanted it. I quickly checked what finances I had available before letting him know that I could attend. And so to an early night on Friday!

I awoke early on Saturday morning, my Dad took me up to the local pub where the bus would be travelling down to Birmingham from, and we set off at 7:45. The bus journey was long and boring, 5 hours of sitting and twiddling my thumbs, if it was bad going down, then I think you can imagine how bad it was on the way back!

We got to a pub in Walsall at about half 12, I met some mates in their and we had a few pints before setting off to the Hawthorns at half 1. It was rough in West Bromwhich, their were home fans giving us verbals, but we gave them back. Eventually the bus reached the far side of the stadium and we all clambered off to join the crowd of Sunderland fans heading to the away end.

Kick off came and we were all singing our hearts out. However, West Brom were the better team from the off, we had one real shot of conviction, it was from Richardson, I was convinced it was in. And if it had been then maybe it would have been a different story.

As it was, West Brom scored from a rubbish corner and it was all downhill from there. The second half came and I was hoping for a reaction from the players, however they didn't seem to care at all, and the performance after the interval was even worse than what had preceded. West Brom soon scored again and we were never in the game, Cissé missed an absolute sitter and we never had another chance. West Brom scored again with a few minutes left and by that time we all started heading for the exits.

A couple of the players came over and applauded us but were met with a volley of abuse and soon hastily retreated. What else did they expect? The bus journey back was a nightmare and the best bit of the day was a stop at McDonalds near Sheffield.

A very disappointing day and now we need to take atleast a point from Everton. ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/895-west-brom-vs-sunderland.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/883-sunderland-vs-hull-city.html Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:53:59 GMT And to the game that would decide our season, all the talk had been about the fans really getting behind the players and I didn't think I would have a voice by the end, and guess what? I didn't! :)

I woke up on Saturday morning a little nervous but mostly excited about the game, I realised it would be a difficult match but I was really confident of a win. Anyway, I made my way to the local pub where the bus takes us to the games and had a long think about what lay ahead for us all as we made our way to Sunderland.

Into the promised land and I immediately saught out a source of nutrition, I was too nervous to eat at first and felt sick but decided that it was best to have something on my stomach, so I found a "scran van" and handed the kind lady behind the counter £2. There were alot of Hull fans mingling in with us all and it was a strange sight because usually visiting fans are more reserved, you could sense that a great atmosphere was going to be present upon kick off, I made my way to Turnstile number 6, heading for the usual seat in the South West Corner.

I got in the ground pretty early so was bored before kick off, but I found the time to give former Sunderland winger kevin Kilbane one or two hand signals, I then sat in my seat and watched the Stadium fill up.

5 minutes before kick off and there were around 40,000 people seated, the atmosphere started to build as the lads behind me started chanting, as the teams emerged and all mighty roar went up followed by a rendition of "red and white army" you could almost see the Hull player shrink an inch or two.

The game kicked off and ironically it was Hull that started off the better of the two teams, putting us under some pressure but they never really threatened a shot on target. The atmosphere kept up with 3,000 Hull fans cheering their team on. The game became abit of a scrappy stalemate halfway through the first half and the noise died down abit. Perhaps one of our best players this season Anton Ferdinand nearly made a costly mistake when he tried to take on a Hull player and was tackled, the player was through on goal but thankfully Davenport made a great tackle.

Shortly after Gordon was called into action when Kilbane got up high and won a header, the Scottish international was able to palm it away to safety however. We were coming under some sustained pressure and Geovanni had a goal bound effort hacked away off the line on about 40 minutes.

We hadn't tested Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal, thankfully that was about to change, Reid swept in a cross from the left that Danny Collins flicked on before Cissé edged infront of his marker to head home a priceless goal, replays have shown it to be offside, but given our record with refereeing decisions its about time we got the rub of the green. Cissé's celebration was quality, he came sprinting over to the SWC and jumped in with the fans, he recieved a booking for it however.

The second half kicked off and we straight away nearly scored, Cissé got through but his powerful effort was palmed away by Myhill, then a minute or so later, Edwards crossed to the far post where Reid was waiting and he nudged the ball to Jones who headed into the net, unfortunately however the official was correct in giving the offside this time.

After that it was all about holding on for a prescious 3 points, Hull came at us but never really looked like scoring, they had a couple of decent opportunities however. One that really made me cack myself was a Boateng drive from the edge of the box which flew just inches wide, there was also a header late on from Caleb Folan that floated dangerously close to the bottom corner, Gordon seemed assure it was heading wide however.

As full-time approached the atmosphere reached fever pitch and the whole stadium was on its feet singing, then the whistles started from the fans, just as my ears felt like they couldn't take much more, Mike Dean finally brung play to and end, cue massive celebrations, I was hugged by a few random strangers, but perhaps the best thing about football matches is the bond you get with fellow supporters, most of whom you don't even know.

Anyway, a prescious 3 points and now the players can go into another crunch game with West Brom next week with renewed confidence and vigour!

Ha'way the lads! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/883-sunderland-vs-hull-city.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/877-importance-game-against-hull.html Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:44:16 GMT The game against Hull has been called "the biggest game of the decade" by a number of people and they are very right. A win would see Sunderland move to 35 points and next week face bottom of the league West Brom, it will give the lads some breathing space and go along way to securing our Premier League status for another season. A loss would see the odds on us surviving tumble as their are some very difficult games in the run-in. The term "must win game" has never been so apparent.

Hull are in terrible form, one win in 20 tells its own story and after a 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough last week confidence must be at an all time low. They have never looked like the same team that beat Arsenal at the Emirates earlier in the season. Sunderland desperately need the 3 points because one win in 9 is pretty poor too.

So lets get behind the lads as usual tomorrow and create an atmosphere that will intimidate Hull as much as it has intimidated many teams in the past. Let them know that we are Sunderland and we want this result more than ever. If we stay up we will be in a great position to go on and become a major force for years to come.

Ha'way the lads! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/877-importance-game-against-hull.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/874-teemu-tainio-can-save-our-season.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:45:48 GMT Our first signing of the season can be our most effective if you ask me, I have been really impressed with Tainio in the games that he has played for... Our first signing of the season can be our most effective if you ask me, I have been really impressed with Tainio in the games that he has played for us, unfortunately he seems to be really injury prone. However, if he can keep fit then he is the player that can save our season.

He sits in front of the back four and his calming influence can lead us to keeping more clean-sheets, he is immense at breaking up opposition attacks and his distribution of the ball is second to none. I think we have a real gem of a player at Sunderland, and a really experienced one.

Next season he can be pivotal, unfortunately he is entering his later years in football but the experience he brings to the squad is vital, he helps to balance out the midfield, whereas he is more defence minded, his partner in the middle Richardson can venture forward with venom and cause opposition players lots of problems.

I think having Richardson and Tainio in the middle would be our better pairing for the remainder of the season and I hope that Ricky will see this and employ it against Hull on Saturday.

Once again I will be there and I will be lending my full support in helping the lads to what could be a crucial 3 points.

Ha'way! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/874-teemu-tainio-can-save-our-season.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/873-management-situation.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:44:20 GMT Well, it has been a very strange season this one hasn't it? At the start of the season my biggest fear was losing Roy Keane to a club such as Manchester United, oh how times change eh?

Fast forward almost 9 months and we have a former Ressi coach incharge with no previous managerial experience. So just how has it come to this?

Well lets take a trip down memory lane shall we?

Go back to October the 25th at about 2:55pm and you will see the Stadium of Light faithful in massive celebration with the name of Roy Keane ringing around the stadium, Newcastle's miserable fans were segregated at one corner of the SoL and it looked as if the tide had finally turned in the north-east, there was only one way Sunderland were going and that was up while our bitter rivals looked set for a trip down to the Championship.

Ironically could this be the moment when Roy Keane was doomed? Sunderland lost the next game against Stoke City and then were thrashed the next Saturday 5-0 down at Chelsea, there were rumours that the team were dwelling too much on the victory over Newcastle, and had taken their eye off the ball.

Go forward just a month and the papers were announcing that Roy Keane had "taken Sunderland as far as he could" so he tendered his resignation to Chairman Niall Quinn, Sunderland had just been beaten 4-1 at home to Bolton and faced a trip to Manchester United next, Ricky Sbragia was ghosted in by Quinn while the board searched for a "world class manager".

Sbragia proceeded to almost nick a point from Old Trafford, then won his next to games against West Brom and Hull 4-0 and 4-1, could we have a gem of a manager of our hands?

After the 0-0 draw with Blackburn on Boxing Day it was announced that Ricky was permanent manager, too a mixed reaction of Sunderland fans. For some there was angiush that Quinn had a shortlist of world class managers yet he had chosen someone with no experience whatsoever, even I was somewhat sceptical, I usually try to remain positive.

Since then we have heard rumours that Ricky will be replaced in the Summer, however I seriously doubt that will happen, we look set to stay in the league but can Ricky attract players such as Cissé to the club? It may have been hard to turn Roy Keane down, but will it prove so difficult when potential transfer targets meet our current boss?

I think Quinn has dropped a blooper here and I think we should have tried to nick someone like Sven Goran Erikksson when we had the chance, anyway, while Ricky is incharge I will continue to lend my full support to the team and the club, especially for the huge game against Hull this Saturday.

Ha'way the lads! ]]> safcrhys http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/367006-safcrhys/873-management-situation.html