I’ve been chatting with Sunderland fan Denver Coulson ahead of this Sunday’s final game of the season. It’s a great read, which raises numerous interesting points. Enjoy.
When you beat us 5-2 at the Stadium of Light, you were riding high at the top end of the Premier League and scoring goals for fun. What went wrong?!
Injuries and too thin a squad. We lost Jordan Henderson, Lee Cattermole and Andy Reid from midfield and ended up playing with a different back line in about 20 consecutive games – this contributed to our 14 game winless run, despite Bent continuing to score goals. Also, this season we went from a team that used to score last minute goals to one that conceded them, losing 10 points in the last 10 minutes of games. We’ve managed to get back on track with results over the last two months and we’re just going to have to look back on those 14 games without a win and think what might have been…
Steed Malbranque - one to watch
A partnership of Darren Bent and Kenwyn Jones instils fear in most Wolves fans, so are they your best strike partnership these days? And who else should we be looking out for this weekend?
I still think they’re our best front two. Frazier Campbell has come on leaps and bounds this season and despite having to fill in, due to injuries, on the right hand side has grabbed some valuable goals and looked good in games when he started up top. He started against Man Utd, and scored a good goal in our last visit to the midlands against Villa, so you might see him play there, although midfield injuries may force him back to right wing.
However, with Jones we are much better at keeping the ball when we play it up front. Jones is also a massive asset in the air both in attack and defence, and when he’s on form is unplayable – the problem is he’s too laid back and not on form often enough!
Outside of the goal scorers keep an eye out for Steed Malbranque who has led our end of season resurgence following a move to left midfield and Jordan Henderson a 19 year-old who has had a great season and is rumored to be attracting attention from the top 4. Finally, watch out for the return of Alan Hutton at right back following his one match suspension for being headbutted! Since, signing in the January window from Spurs his attacking runs have changed the dynamic of our team.
A lot has been said about Big Mick’s limitations as a manager in the top flight. What is your take on his achievements at Wolves this season, and what really happened at The Stadium of Light? Never backed, or never good enough?
I was never a big Mick fan as his style of football even in the play-off season and when we won promotion was never fun to watch. He did preside over two relegations from the PL (even if one wasn’t his fault). Achieving the record low number of points (15) created an embarrassment that dealt a body blow to the club and its fans, especially following the recent 19 point season. Even if he wasn’t backed the recent performances of teams such as Burnley and Hull who came up from the playoffs not champions puts this into perspective.
That said Mick did get us promoted on a shoestring and since he took over at Wolves he’s done the same and, unlike us, kept you there! I think if Kightly had stayed fit you may have even been a little more comfortable. Next season will be the big question – can he make the signings and show the tactical nous to avoid the dreaded second season syndrome.
13th place and 15 points clear of the relegation zone means you’ve had a comfortable, if not memorable season. Where do you go from here?
This season has been a success in my book. Bruce’s first task was to move us up a level, from relegation candidate – to mid-table mediocrity, and this he has achieved. If not (those favourite words of a football fan) for the mid-season wobble we would be looking to be up there with Everton and it is that position we must look to progress to next season. However, above them this season was the battle for fourth and it may be quite a while and a fair amount of cash before we can be in that sort of company!
Success over the next two seasons for me is continued top ten presence some nice football, more goals and like most PL fans a cup run as that’s the only chance of silverware.
Final point is that this has been a memorable season, for the first time in years we’ve not had a promotion/playoffs/relegation battle/relegation and the lack of excitement in the last few games for a change has been surprisingly enjoyable.
Jody Craddock - remembered fondly
And finally, a word about Jody Craddock, our player of the season as voted by the fans. What are your memories of Jody in a red and white shirt?
Like many Sunderland supporters I was a big Jody fan and I’m delighted that he has managed to carry on playing at the top level, even becoming a top goal scorer! I always associate Jody with the late 90s resurgence under Reid and part of the Quinn/Phillips team which won the championship with a then record total of 105 points and then went on to achieve two consecutive 7th placed finishes.
Circumstances led to Jody moving on but I, like the rest of our fans, will be applauding him at the weekend.
Should Darren Bent go to the World Cup? If yes, at whose expense?
To finish second top English goal scorer and not go to South Africa is a bit of a disgrace but with Rooney the cert and Crouch and Heskey getting the nod due to being target men not finishers makes it tough. Is he better than Defoe? He’s scored more goals in a team that is 13th not 4th so his record suggests so but unfortunately I think he’ll be watching it in the pub like the rest of us. If he takes five forwards he has to go ahead of second rate forwards such as Agbonlahor.
Great piece Ben. Big thanks to Denver for taking part and supplying such considered answers.
His points about McCarthy’s Premiership performance with Sunderland surprise me though. He mentions Burnley and Hull doing a lot better than Mick did there, but even they had significantly more money to spend on their Premiership assault, which puts his problems at the Stadium of Light into sharp perspective.
If Sunderland want to push on next season, I think they need to spend big over the summer. They’re short at the back and need to tighten up if they’re to challenge the likes of Everton. I’d imagine there will be interest in some of their better players too, so keeping hold of the likes of Bent, Jones and Henderson could prove a challenge.
Speaking of Bent, I think he should definitely go to the World Cup. Capello should take 5 strikers and drop a nothing midfielder like Carrick from his plans.
Yes, cheers Denver! Very good of you to do this, and for what it’s worth, Bent should go, I agree with Thomas on that one. Drop one of the midfielders, particularly with Milner being so versatile.
I didn’t ask you if theres any of our players you’d like? Probably Doyle!
They’ve been linked with Henry a few times. He would do a good job for Sunderland and add balance to their side. Unfortunately for them though, he’s not for sale.
Don’t give a shit where Sunderland finish, as long as its below us.
Don’t give a shit about any other team except the shit, and want to see them lose by record scores every week.
I just don’t give a shit about any other teams fans, or what they think of us, it’s all jealousy anyway!!!
Stop wasting time talking to them, and do something useful, like getting rid of greaseball fat controller.
FOJM,YFB
Clive, no offence but you seriously lack manners. If you dont give a shit what they think, dont read the article titled “interview with a sunderland fan”. Instead of whining you should do something useful like getting rid of greaseball fat controller.
Cue obligatory CFH “wind you up and watch you go” post.
Wonderful, someone who does read the crap I write!!
Thank you!
FOWB………………can’t be bothered to write all them letters all the time
More along the lines of the last blog but why is there no talk of Steven Fletcher coming to Wolves? Out of all the players on the relegated teams I think he is my favorite to sign. How much would he cost, he was only 3m last summer. Would think he and Dolye would make a very solid pair up top.
Would prefer Darren Fletcher!!!
FOWB
I don’t rate Steven Fletcher that much, though he seems just the sort of player Mick would sign. Would be no improvement in my eyes. I won’t be surprised if he rocks up here though
Steven Fletcher is just the sort of player we will look at. Better than what we have in that position bar Doyler.