As you will know I am not one of those who treats the biannual battles between Newcastle and Sunderland in the "big league" as the be all and end all of football in the North East. Generally speaking my interest is focused well and truly on the drama and excitement available just over the fence. But there is no denying that the old juices stir and joy rises anew when the current group of bold Sunderland patriots, hailing from all points of the compass as they do, head north and come away victorious against the equally multinational, with a French flavour, forces of darkness who live in Sid James Park. Particularly when I am informed that it was as comprehensive a three nil as you are ever likely to see. He certainly wouldn't have been my pick, not that anybody asked, but there is no doubt the Uruguayan knows his stuff. And maybe his nationality, accustomed as he and his fellow countrymen are to having to fight to be noticed amongst bigger neighbours with a vastly inflated sense of their own importance, enabled him to pick up the regional vibe quite quickly. He could have chucked himself down the touchline like the mad fascist though. To be fair in recent years it has gone against Sunderland more times than not, so these last few games are good reason for celebration, even for those of us who concentrate on the real thing. The old town has few enough good news stories, barring football and Nissan. So, a jolly good weekend was no doubt had in the hostelries of Ryhope. The ones that are left that is. More shut than open nowadays. Not like the days of my youth when the whole lot were thronged. Ah well.
A couple of games off for our lads, will this help or hinder? We were going well, even in defeat against a top class West side; mind, Closey could have done the decent thing. And the lovely Lisa has struggled to even get her tractor on the pitch this last week or so, never mind prepare it. So, not likely to be much free flowing football in the near future at Meadow Park. Wellies might be the footwear of the discerning student of the game. But, never mind, overall much to like since the turn of the year, except the extraordinary syndrome of doing much better away than at home continues. A statistical fluke or evidence of something more. Gone on for a long time, and stats don't lie they say. Is the home "crowd" too demanding? Let's hope the break gives them all a further lift. The players I mean, not the crowd. Or maybe the crowd as well. Anyway, looks like an awful lot of points will be needed to stay out of trouble this season, and we can't expect another miracle at the AGM like last year. Or afford it. Only joking....