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Dear Roker Report,
As our season unfolds, I think we maybe need to take an actual reality check in what our expectations actually were before the season got underway, and now what seems to be a huge surge of what we crave for as opposed to what we can actually achieve at this time.
Before the season got underway, almost every Sunderland fan would’ve settled for the Lads avoiding the drop as a successful campaign — especially when taking into account how other promoted teams have fared over recent seasons. However, the brilliant
start we’ve had has sent seemingly everyone into overdrive of euphoria, and I even heard a few guys at the game against Bournemouth discussing Sunderland qualifying for the Champions League this season.
Now, I realize that would be amazing, but it would actually hinder us even if it was remotely possible, and I don’t think the expectations are helped by social media commentators gushing about how wonderful we are and how we might actually qualify for Europe.
Let’s be rightly ecstatic about the points we have in the bag, but it’s a long hard season and we’re going to lose four to five players for up to a month very soon. Finishing above the bottom three is still the goal and anything else will be a bonus.
Of course it’s brilliant to look at the table and see Sunderland where we are, but let’s fully understand the long months are just now upon us and this league is relentless. Forget about them up the road — whether we like it or not, they’re established and we have to build ourselves back up steadily and surely.
We’ll hopefully still find that extra gear to walk tall come Sunday night, but please let’s not expect too much from this young side. Let’s survive this season and then let’s see what happens next campaign, when they have a full year of experience behind them and some further additions.
Haway the lads.
Peter Milton
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Peter. Thank you for your letter.
You raise some very valid points and I do agree that despite all of the excitement about what might lie ahead, I still feel our first target this season is to ensure that we’re nowhere near the relegation battle and that we can continue to lay down the foundations to enable Sunderland to establish itself as a genuinely competitive Premier League side.
That may be a process that takes two or three seasons, and that’s fine, because I’d rather it was done properly and with the right level of care as opposed to trying to progress too quickly and possibly taking undue risks as a result. That can have a detrimental impact on clubs at this level and I just want to see us holding our own, recruiting smartly and continuing to build on what we’ve seen so far.
I won’t be getting carried away because I’ve seen positivity give way to pessimism all too often at Sunderland over the years, but based on what we’ve seen in 2025/2026 so far, things are looking good and I trust those making the decisions to do the right thing by the club and the fans.
Dear Roker Report,
Twas the Derby Before Christmas
‘Twas the derby before Christmas, when all through the North East,
Not a creature was stirring; all movement had ceased.
The shirts were hung in the changing rooms with care,
In hopes that St. Régis soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Xhaka danced in their head.
And Roefs and his saves, and Ballard’s great guns,
And Noah Sadiki’s neverending runs.
When up at the SoL there arose such a clatter,
I sprang into action to join in the matter.
Over Keel Crossing I flew like a flash,
Tore through the turnstile and threw up the sash.
The foghorn signalled we’d soon begin,
I looked to the heavens — “Dear God, let us win!”
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a huge Mackem flag, bringing pride to the Wear.
With a great Roker Roar, so lively and loud,
I knew in a moment that this was the crowd.
That would soon scream “Huuuume” for the first tackle of the game,
And would whistle, and shout, cheer the Lads on by name.
“Now, Nordi! Now, Omar! Now, Enzo and Brian!
On, Wilson! On, Chemsdine! The flags, they kept flying!
‘Til the end of the half! ‘Til the end of the match!
Now thrash away! Thrash away! Thrash away all”
As knees knock together — those derby day nerves,
Reinildo Mandava: he sprints and he swerves.
So up to attack the North Stand first half,
A tense forty five hid behind my red scarf.
But then in a twinkling, a ball down the line,
A cross into the box, a finish divine!
The place it erupted, strangers spinning around,
The stadium went wild, shaking the ground.
A lead to take into the second we had,
The half time pint didn’t taste too bad.
A bundle of changes were made at the break,
And Howe got his answer, they made no mistake.
Back at 1-1, and Mackem hearts sank,
But their valiant heroes had much left in the tank.
We ramped up the pressure, long throw after long throw,
The faces of their boys went as white as the snow.
The moment it seemed to be not far away,
But the clock it was ticking, not much left to play.
One last attack for the Lads in the match,
One more set piece on our home patch.
A moment to test the Geordies’ resolve,
Mr Le Bris? One more problem to solve,
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon let me know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Directing his troops; he turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, his defender he rose.
And sprang to head home, the moment had come,
We’d grabbed it 2-1…til the end — we’d won!
And I heard Reg exclaim, before he slipped out of sight,
“Happy Christmas all Mackems, and to all, a good night!”
Andrew Richardson
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Andrew. Thanks for getting in touch.
A great piece of poetry, and if Sunday’s game pans out in similar fashion, it’ll certainly be a day to remember — so let’s hope you’ve pre-empted how things are going to go!
Dear Roker Report,
Who starts on the left on Sunday?
I can’t decide: Romaine Mundle, Chemsdine Talbi or Simon Adingra?
What do you reckon?
Ian Hughes
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Ian. Thank you for your letter.
Although I’ve been eager for Simon Adingra to be given more game time, I wouldn’t be surprised if Enzo Le Fée starts out on the wing on Sunday, with Romaine Mundle possibly replacing him late on.
Régis Le Bris seems to value Le Fée’s energy and work rate out wide, and whilst I do believe he’s better suited to playing centrally, I have a feeling we might see him deployed wide for this one — but I could be wrong!
