We need time to click - View from the North Stand

4:33pm Friday 19th September 2008

WE may have seen a major squad overhaul, bringing fresh optimism and raised expectations, but Saturday's result showed that we have still got some way to go until we're ready to go to the next level.

I apologise for the pessimistic introduction to this week's column, but there we are, that is how I feel.

That's not to say that all of Roy Keane's pre-season signings were mistakes, and that staying up should be the objective, but it's clear to see that the new charges have not yet gelled and it may take a couple of months for us to see the all-singing, all-dancing 'new' Sunderland.

So to get a point from Wigan, who only sought to tweak their squad in the summer rather than rip out the fixtures and fittings as we did, should be seen as a very good thing indeed.

We were lucky to take the lead, thank you Titus Bramble, and even though they had Lee Cattermole sent off, the last five minutes were not comfortable viewing for the 5,000 travelling fans.

Things are starting to fizz and crackle on the pitch. The midfield show flashes of genius in among a sea of unfamiliarity, perfect through-balls interspersed with mediocre six-yard passes.

It's all just a little awkward at the moment. The new players are feeling each other out and it will click, eventually.

All in all, Saturday was a good day out though. We may have been poor to watch, certainly in the second half, but we've stemmed a flow of defeats in Wigan that dates back to 2005.

And, for the first time in two years, I travelled back from the North-West without my shirt being stained with the tears of defeat. Progress.

Tomorrow brings a challenge in the form of Middlesbrough, nearby rivals - but don't call it a derby.

Of course, most do call it a derby match, which conjures up images of a fierce rivalry, pitched battles, archive coverage from the 1980s of curly-topped football fans running at each other bedecked in donkey jackets and moustaches.

Truth is, there is a bit of banter between us and Middlesbrough, but we don't hate Boro.

Northumbria Police think we do, and last season's fixture saw SWAT-style police officers running about the place in a style normally reserved for large-scale incidents.

"You can't walk there," fans were told, presumably in case two rival fans, dare I say it, exchanged a bit of light-hearted banter following a good old game of football.

In any case, we can't hate each other. We're both united in our mutual dislike of Newcastle. But tomorrow, we'll both be singing songs mocking those up the road. Two sets of fans singing together cannot be considered a derby.

I've got to confess this. I actually don't mind Middlesbrough. I got behind them on their UEFA Cup run a couple of years back. I used to like watching them in their 'galacticos' era, with Juninho, Ravanelli, Hignett and Stamp. Maybe not the latter. But the former were great to watch.

Steve Gibson's up there with Sir Niall as being the best chairmen in the league. He keeps faith with his managers, except for the one time his faith was really tested - and I'd defy anyone to think that Bryan Robson was anything but tedious.

He's backed them with his own wallet, and now Boro are in a position where they are self-sufficient. A model which Sunderland aspire to, believe me.

Our days of big spending are at an end, in my opinion.

Mind you, if another Berbatov or Robinho become available in January, I'd love to see us have a punt.

Eating Out