“The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they’re not a very good team compared to us. We shouldn’t lose to them.”
The words of the philosopher Claire Balding, sorry, Anthony Gordon, after Sunderland’s second win over his team in the space of four months. Which came, incidentally, four years after the now Richest Club In The World™ sold their soul to the Saudis in exchange for the assumption of eternal footballing glory.
Since the takeover, they’ve spent more than £730m to assemble this team.
As it
turns out, they’re less Real Madrid and more the footballing equivalent of 90s lottery winner Mikey Carroll.
Money most definitely doesn’t buy class. The ‘king of the chavs’ proved 30 years ago. And if we ever needed further proof, the behaviour of certain people of black and white persuasion before, during and after the game delivered it.
It seems that even the Saudis are looking nervously for the exit.
How’s that drawer of tea towels looking now, lads and lasses?
An 11 game unbeaten league derby run is quite something, especially given that every time we’ve played them in the league, the sides on paper have been relatively comparable (despite what the delusional north of the river will have you believe). So why haven’t they been able to beat us since 2011? There’s got to be a reason.
And, in part, it’s this delusion of grandeur, this lack of self-awareness, entwined with this spectacularly misplaced confidence.
That inflated sense of self importance, that lack of humility, has always been there, but it ramped up 10 fold with the encouragement of former Sunderland season ticket holder John Hall in the 90s (you’re not our rivals anymore, Manchester United are!).
That lack of self awareness and misplaced confidence was seen in the build up to Sunday’s game – it was a foregone conclusion, and easy win.
That sneering arrogance was seen during the summer after promotion was confirmed too. ‘Six easy points’ was the headline.
Aye, they were, all things considered.
And that’s because, as most impartial observers will tell you this season, Sunderland are the better team.
You know, the group of motivated individuals who collectively go out to play. Backed by a smart and intelligent backroom team who bring the best out of each other, and demand the best of each other, every single day.
The group of people behind the scenes that don’t spunk £65m on a striker so incapable of playing as a striker he’s got to be played in midfield. A group of people who don’t panic and chuck out £50m on a soon-to-be 30 year old crocked striker whose first thought after a derby is to like a post congratulating the winning opposition’s man of the match.
A group of people who buy based on character. You know, to create a team.
Not being able to spend money’s a problem is it Eddie? You’re probably right, after you spent around £250m in the summer on six players who were all playing on Sunday.
But of course, ‘Youse are going get stung by FFP!’ “Youse spent a ridiculous amount buying a hurl new team!’
Our summer transfer spend? £170m or so. Over the past four years since tea towel sales rocketed across Tyneside? Around £185m.
Aye. There’s that famous self awareness again.
You can argue about individuals all you like in fully fit squads too. Ramsdale or Roefs? Xhaka or Joelinton? Le Fee or Barnes? Woltermade or Brobbey? Burn or Ballard? Mukiele or Trippier? The list goes on and on, and it’s certainly not a clean sweep.
Especially not if you’re creating a ‘team’, Ms Balding.
Which makes Gordon’s arrogant argument – made incidentally to the club’s in house media as no members of this brilliant team were prepared to demonstrate anything resembling leadership and front up to the national press – as laughable as it is patently untrue.
Watching the game back a day later, free from the nerves and tension that comes as naturally to that fixture as cold pies came to Roker Park, it was clear that, after giftwrapping them one goal, and preventing them from turning that one into two, we were in total control.
The last 20 minutes or so of the first half saw us switch up a couple of things tactically and grow into the game, generally out-thinking and out maneuvering the hosts with the aim of getting back into the dressing room 1-0 down at worst.
In the second half we were dominant. The team controlled the game. The team was well organised. The team lifted each other, protected each other and supported each other.
And ultimately the team celebrated with each other, extending our spell of dominance to 11 games – the longest unbeaten record in Sunderland/Newcastle history.
The opposition looked increasingly like a bunch of individuals without a plan, celebrating the concession of corners to give the illusion of effort, of desire, of being ‘a team’.
And look, long may the mags kid themselves on that they’re world footballing giants in waiting, and genuinely are the ‘Barcelona of the North’ (you can thank John Hall for that one, too).
Long may they continue to believe they’re the better team, and have better players, better fans, better owners and a better club.
Because as long as they keep believing it, the harder and further they’ll fall, every single time.
They say the first step towards change is awareness. The second is acceptance. Fortunately for us, they’re a world away from even knowing step one exists.
If Gordon’s comments hinted at it, the social media output after the game confirmed it.
You’re nowhere near as big as Newcastle!
We’re one of the biggest clubs in the country!
Our squad is better than yours!
Yep.
We all know things change quickly in football, and one day Newcastle will beat us in the league again. That’s how things work. And that’s fine.
But one thing’s for certain, their misplaced arrogance and inflated sense of self will still be here next season. And the one after that. And the one after that.
It’ll be here longer than you or me.
And it’s what makes days like Sunday all the sweeter.
