Interview With A Sunderland Fan

1) So, mixed season so far by the looks of it, started well but some of the recent results are a worry by the looks of it, how do you see things?

We have still not dropped outside the top ten this season under Bruce so overall that is a massive improvement for Sunderland AFC. The most worrying trend is how we have managed to get in a great position this season and push on towards a Europa League place but we have went back to our old ways of throwing away points against lesser teams. We have easily lost over 12 points with poor results on the road against Stoke, Wigan, Fulham and most recently two against basement side Portsmouth.

We need to find consistency and also hope and pray for Lee Cattermole to get back into the first team as we are totally different team with him and Cana in the middle destroying the centre pairings of other teams.

2) It seems the board are sorted, have you the right manager now with Steve Bruce do you think?

Steve Bruce is by far the best signing of the summer as he is a manager who tells it like it is. He has managed to bring in some great players and also get rid of some awful ones to for decent money. He needs to change the mentality of how we approach games on the road but he is a vast improvement from Ricky Sbragia and he will, if given time, find the correct starting eleven and push us up the league. The main aim of this season is to get things settled and avoid looking our shoulders in a relegation fight. So far we are getting there but we need to start beating teams of our standards, rather than only showing up against the best teams.

3) What did you make of the Carling Cup exit to Villa, fair or a travesty?! Speak now or forever hold your peace...! That is your peace and not your piece!

The Carling Cup defeat was shocking, we absolutely battered you off the park and we had a very under strength team and you played your best possible line up but you relied on Gua to keep you in the competition. We missed a penalty and Kieran Richardson had almost the whole goal to aim at as he had a one on one moment but blasted it against the keepers legs. That is still the problem with SAFC you can predict that if we do not take our chances we will end up losing the game due to them misses. Good luck in the competition as it is always nice to say we were beaten by the winners!

4) Any opinions on Villa and Martin O'Neill?

I have always had a soft spot for Martin O' Neill due to him being a Mackem and always having a good word for our club. Also, the main reason I love Aston Villa of late is because you are the reason we can laugh at Newcastle for a long long time after their relegation at the hands of your victory. Thank you for that moment!

5) If you could have a player or two of ours, who would it be and why?

I would love to grab Milner from you as he is what we miss so badly, an out and out winger with pace, skill and creativity. I also think Friedel is a cracking keeper and he adds stability to your improving defence so he would be a good addition to our squad with Gordon on the sidelines until February.

6) Who would you send our way in exchange?!

Can you please take Daryl Murphy, Ferdinand or Richardson off our books please as they have been awful this season and I will offer to carry Murphy on my back to Villa Park if this clinches the deal.

7) Where do you think you'll finish this season and if you have any interest at all, where will Villa finish?

If we finish above you that would be an immense season as I expect you to push all the way to finish in the top four this season! I will be happy anywhere above 12th as this will enable us to crack on next season with new players and new hope.

8) Go on then, lets have your score prediction?

Sadly after your victory at Old Trafford I expect you to turn us over but with this being SAFC we are talking about we may end up beating you as we have no consistency at all.

Sunderland 1 - 2 Aston Villa

With thanks to Vital Sunderland (our questions will appear later on their site) www.sunderland.vitalfootball.co.uk

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