No news is good news? - View From The North Stand
11:33am Friday 22nd February 2008
IT'S been a quiet old fortnight.
And a tough one for us journalists, especially those who work for daily papers and have to get at least one Sunderland story a day.
Luckily for me, I have this column, once a week, to pen my reaction, thoughts, predictions and comments. But even then, it's a tall order for me to do that this week.
So, with that in mind, I decided to write a web-only column What you are reading now is exclusive, never-seen-before stuff.
The Black Cats have had the chance to take stock, look at the situation they're in and prepare for the final push, the sprint finish.
It's essential that we finish strong.
Look at the fixtures for the rest of the campaign:
Saturday, 23 February - Portsmouth v Sunderland
Saturday, 01 March - Derby v Sunderland
Saturday, 08 March - Sunderland v Everton
Saturday, 15 March - Sunderland v Chelsea
Saturday, 22 March - Aston Villa v Sunderland
Saturday, 29 March - Sunderland v West Ham
Saturday, 05 April - Fulham v Sunderland
Saturday, 12 April - Sunderland v Man City
Saturday, 19 April - Newcastle v Sunderland
Saturday, 26 April - Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Saturday, 03 May - Bolton v Sunderland
Sunday, 11 May - Sunderland v ArsenalIf we look to win all our home matches, that alone will take us well above that much-vaunted 40 point mark, which would normally ensure Premier League
status.
But we know that is not realistic, when we have the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal yet to visit the Stadium of Light.
So with that in mind, it is imperative that we pick up some results on the road. Tomorrow, away to Portsmouth, is an ideal opportunity to get one.
David James is in the form of his life, but he is beatable. We know this because it was only a month ago that our boys put two past him.
Saying that, it was Kieran Richardson. He won't be involved tomorrow, but Andy Reid will be. He only needed one pass against Wigan to endure him to the Stadium of Light faithful. A full game tomorrow will do his match fitness the power of good, and with the fans behind him, should put the wind in his sails.
If you don't know what Andy Reid can do: take a look at this.
A Reid at full tilt is a joy to watch. He could be the catalyst tomorrow.
Niall Quinn was on the wireless last night, talking to the fans about his plans for the future. Every time I hear Quinny speak, I feel an enormous sense of pride. Where we were before he came and where we are now - he deserves every plaudit coming his way.
I bumped into him outside Rotherham United's ground 18 months ago, shortly before he became 'Chairmanager' at Sunderland. Like the daft fan I am, I thanked him for coming into the club.
The proper way to thank him is to vote with our feet. Season tickets for next year will soon be on sale, with the prices frozen from last year.
My name's down. Will yours be?
Before I go, here's a clip of the big man before he swapped the stripes for a club tie.
Enjoy.