Losing games, even in pre-season, isn’t fun — and sometimes that makes people worry a bit.
But this is nothing new to us. Over the last nine years since we were last in the Premier League, we’ve all become accustomed to a sense of dread with this football club after a bad day at the office – especially against sides we really should be beating if we’re going to make a proper go of it this season.
However, we have to remember:
- This is pre-season – Last year, we lost to Bradford and Gateshead and ended up getting promoted. We aren’t the finished article yet – The recruitment so far has been, quite frankly, staggering, and I fully back Ghisolfi and Speakman to continue bringing in players who will add depth and the Premier League quality that will be required this season. Keep the faith – The most clichéd term in a Sunderland fan’s handbook, but nevertheless, it’s appropriate in times like these, when the team simply hasn’t been at the races and has fallen well short.
- I tend to be on the glass-half-full side when it comes to Sunderland (or a happy clapper, if you want to be specific), but I really don’t think a few rusty pre-season performances should force us into panic stations.
- It’s clear there’s still a lot of work to do, but I trust the ownership, the directors, and the coaching staff to put us in the best position possible for a great season. The signing of Granit Xhaka proves this. For a player of his magnitude to make the move to Wearside shows the belief players are having in the project being presented to them.
We’re a team used to heartache, hearts in mouths, and hearts on our sleeves
– and this season will be no different. Everyone on the outside – pundits, other teams’ fans (Leeds) – seems to have a crystal ball when it comes to Sunderland, convinced we’re destined for the drop.
But we proved the whole football world wrong in May, and let’s face it – no one can fight a relegation battle like we can.
More from rokerreport.sbnation.com:
- Roundup: Sunderland 'Stranded' In Southampton; Moyes Bemoans Bad Luck & Watmore Claims Unity
- As Yet Another Defeat Blends In With All The Others, Questions About Our Future Still Remain
- The Relegations: #2 - 1969-70
- BCA: The Magnificent Twenty Seven
- Fan Focus: The Ugly Inside Talk Saints v SAFC
- Is Ellis Ready To Embrace The Drop?
- PLP: Can Chelsea Or Liverpool Win The League?
