View From The North Stand
One man's views on Sunderland AFC - County Durham's premier football club.
| TALKING POINT | | | EATING OUT |  | | | EATING IN | | | | PAST TIMES | | |
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Reality check needed - View from the North Stand
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| GOAL HERO: Michael Chopra took his goal well and helped Sunderland achieve Premier League safety |
IT'S not even the end of the season yet, and the transfer rumours have started already.
Of course, I'm delighted that another season in the Premier League has been achieved, and the manner we did it, at home, in front of a full house, was one of the great moments of the last few seasons.
Mind you, it's a rare feeling this, going into the final two games of the campaign without anything to play for, and I guess it's natural for the press to be concentrating on our summer.
But I hope our players won't be doing the same. Bolton, who we face away tomorrow, have a lot to play for, and if we aren't at our best to face Arsenal next week, we might get turned over.
For the fans, it's going to be a party atmosphere for both games. The final away game always sees the supporters donning fancy dress outfits, so expect to see Wolverine strolling through the concourse at the Reebok with a tray of pints, and nobody batting an eyelid.
Mind you, I'm sure Bolton folk are accustomed to seeing mutants walking the streets.
Speaking of mutants, it was great to see us put a performance on against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
For all this talk of a derby - it wasn't - the atmosphere was special, because the Boro fans travelled in numbers, we were that little bit louder than usual, the weather was good and of course we won.
When Newcastle came to our place earlier in the season, the ground was a cauldron of hatred, but when Boro came it was completely different. There was friendly banter, nothing more. We even sung together in our hate for those barcodes up the road.
I doubt the Sunderland and Newcastle fans would ever sing together.
But completely unaware of this friendly rivalry were the Northumbria Constabulary, who turned up in numbers to shove and push the Middlesbrough fans around in their section of the ground.
The riot police even made an appearance in the North Stand, which was bemusing at the least, since the away fans are a good 150 yards away, at the other end of the ground.
The only arguments that occur between home fans, usually, is the growing debate about Nyron Nosworthy, and whether he'll be around next season.
Incidentally, I think he should be, and he should retain his place in the team, next to Jonny Evans, if and when we sign him.
The great thing about us sealing our safety so soon, is that Roy Keane can start planning who he wants to join us over the summer, giving us a good fortnight's start over our rivals at the bottom still engaged in a battle, and of course those coming up from the Championship with a little bit of cash behind them.
Like it or not, we're still going to be fishing from the same ponds for a while yet.
With all this talk about Sunderland pushing on to the next level, it sounds great and I'm genuinely excited about it.
But fans need a reality check. Season tickets are on sale, the new shirt goes on sale at the end of the week. The club aren't daft.
If Keane came out and said "I think it's going to be another battle for us next year", neither the merchandise or the season tickets would fly off the shelves.
The fact we're in the Premier League for a second consecutive term is something to celebrate in itself.
An improvement on this year's finish should be next season's objective. Anything else is just a bonus.
11:35am Friday 2nd May 2008
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