Dear Roker Report,
It would be good if the crowd at the start of the forthcoming Spurs game could raise the roof even more as the players walk out just before the match starts. I appreciate that it may not be the same line-up that defeated the scum, but it would be good if the team could feel our appreciation for a job well done. This also includes being safe in the league, with 7 matches remaining and winning 19 points from losing positions.
I realise that it is an ongoing discussion, but it would be great if all the
supporters could stay until the final whistle v Spurs, regardless of the score, in order that the players can be applauded loudly off the pitch.
Peter Welsh
Ed’s Note [Gav]: Hear, hear Peter. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what you’ve suggested and, actually, the club should think about do something very tasteful that is actually just a cheap tactic to get the fans up… which, let’s be honest, is probably needed after some of the recent home games where our fans haven’t been on top form. They did something similar when Habib Diarra returned to the Stadium of Light as an AFCON hero, and gave him a little boost before the game which I really think added to his performance that day against Burnley.
But even if the club don’t do something I think that the fans should. Make it a loud, proud cheer as they enter the pitch and then move on quickly from the derby and focus back on the matter at hand.
Dear Roker Report,
It’s going to be a tough job for Régis Le Bris when he picks the team against Spurs, as he now has a pretty decent bunch of options to select from when it comes to the depth of his squad. So many of our most important players should be back and available, but the side that defeated Newcastle played impressively. Should he remain loyal to the lads that got us over the line against the mags, or do you feel like he’ll look at it more pragmatically and pick players like Reinildo, Mukiele, Ballard (if fit), Le Fée, and Roefs, given they’re all very good?
Ian Hughes
Ed’s Note [Gav]: I know this is a proper cop out, but I really don’t know! It’s going to be tough to ignore the tools at his disposal. A lot of it depends on Ballard’s fitness as his inclusion changes the entire look of the defence. If he’s available then where the hell do you fit Reinildo and Mukiele? Reggie has been so loyal to Trai Hume, so I can’t imagine him being dropped. There’s also Dennis Cirkin too, who has always done well this season when called upon. I think you have to look at who we are playing, and the fact they have a new manager coming in who is probably going to tell his players to play with a bit of freedom. That means picking our strongest back four rather than favouring sentiment, but that’s just my opinion. What Reggie does… I have no idea!
Dear Roker Report,
Re: Wednesday’s ‘Room 101 – Part One’ episode of Haway The Podcast…
Statistics and damned lies. The solution is that when pundits refer to them, or they are brought up on screen, the background music should always be The Laughing Policeman. So, Jonny, stats can then be embraced without angst or fear. It’s a good job that Régis says he has his own stats!
Keep up the good work.
