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Dear Roker Report,
Well, well, well!
It’s finally dawning on the football world what we’ve all been saying since we could walk and talk: that the Sunderland fans are absolutely the best in football.
Fair play to Gary Neville
as he recognised this fact some time ago, but now almost every football forum is bursting to let everyone out there know about the ferocity and passion within the Stadium Of Light when it’s bouncing.
Those of us from a certain era knew this all along; we bore witness to the great Reidy sides who terrified Arsenal and Chelsea all those years ago. It wasn’t rocket science, either — Reidy and Régis Le Bris have tapped into the raw need from the fans here.
We aren’t bothered if we have a Messi or Ronaldo, but we thrive and encourage 100% anyone who wears that top and bleeds for it. We’ve hardly ever had the elegance of certain footballers in our team, but we’ve had players who raise their game 25% when they are backed from baying Mackems.
Who knows what the future will bring? If Le Bris does see any wonderful gifted players out there, then they may want to be a part of the biggest show in the Premier League at this time. However, any players out there will have to understand that to play for this club means leaving it all on the pitch — like big Dan Ballard.
Gifted or not gifted, we only accept true grafters. That is the Sunderland way, that is us.
Peter Milton
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Peter. Thank you for your letter.
The atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light — pre, during and post-Saturday’s thriller with Arsenal — was one for the ages and I really felt it showcased our home stadium as we know it can be: raucous and fuelled by unrestrained pride in our club and the players who represent it.
As a result of exceptional recruitment, some superb results and a team spirit that’s growing ever stronger, Sunderland AFC is now making an impact at the highest level — and it’s unbelievably exciting for everyone connected with the club.
The connection between the fanbase and the club itself is as strong as — if not even stronger — than I can recall at any time during the past thirty years, and long may it continue!
Dear Roker Report,
Saturday night — wow!
In the build up to the Arsenal game, all we heard about was their clean sheets and spine of the team: David Raya, Gabriel and Declan Rice. All world class players who are performing at the top of their game.
But then you look at Sunderland’s spine: Robin Roefs, Dan Ballard and Granit Xhaka. That’s as solid a spine we’ve had, and we’re fourth in the table for a reason.
The game was enjoyable in many ways — and getting to half time 1-0 up was magical. When Arsenal had the majority of the second half and went 2-1, up you did fear the worst, but bringing on Brian Brobbey was a masterstroke as a change of tactics, and Gabriel was rattled.
Brobbey offers something different in attack. He holds the ball up well and has speed and a physical presence to cause the best problems. It also proved we can affect a result from the bench once again.
I do hope he gets a start after the international break.
Haway the lads!
Mark
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Mark. Thank you for getting in touch.
I won’t lie: I was thrilled for Brian Brobbey when he grabbed what proved to be a valuable equaliser against Arsenal, and the desire, aggression and athleticism he showed in order to hook the ball past David Raya was superb.
I really do think there’s a proper striker in Brobbey. He’s powerful, explosive and can hold the ball up exceptionally well. These are all very useful qualities for a Premier League striker to possess, and I think it gives Régis Le Bris another exciting option up front!
