At the risk of sounding like an old git, can anyone remember when football was, by and large, about 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday afternoon?

Now, I'm all for progress and there can no doubt the millions of pounds pumped into the sport by the likes of Sky TV has transformed English football.

I am also well aware of the apparent need for 24/7 coverage of the beautiful game, and that the armchair fan pays good money to stay parked on his throne and "support" his team.

Not everyone can afford to go to games, and not everyone is capable of travelling to matches – so to some, televised clashes are a godsend.
But why does it always seem to be the loyal followers, who do attend matches, that are made to the price by TV bosses.

Take Sunday's game for example –a 4pm kick-off for the clash between Sunderland and West Ham United at the Stadium of Light.

That to me is nothing short of sticking the proverbial two fingers up to the happy Hammers, who will make the long trek to north east England and an arduous return (hopefully empty-handed), which will probably see them arrive back home in the early hours of Monday morning.

Like I say, I accept that TV companies, like Sky et al, plough massive amounts of cash into football, and, therefore, get to pick and choose their matches and the (often ridiculous) kick-off times.

But does it really have to be at the expense of travelling fans? Who, after all, (TV millions or not) are the lifeblood of the game.

I realise that you can't please everyone, but surely supporters deserve a lot more consideration than they are currently getting.

Sadly, I don't expect things to change any time soon.

So to the game itself. After a great result away to Blackburn last week, I'm really hoping we can build on it.

Things are so tight in the table at the moment, that if a team can string together a set of good results, they will probably put a fair amount of breathing space between themselves and the rest of the pack.

And, of course, a win over the Hammers would take us another step closer to that magical 40 points mark, which I still believe is likely to be the cut off point again this season.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love us to be aiming higher than just staying up, but in my opinion that is something to strive for once survival has been secured.

Sunday's game is a chance to take a big step in the right direction, as is the following home game against Bolton Wanderers.

Both of these are clashes we should be looking to win, although I'm well aware that doesn't give us a divine right to do so.

Still we live in hope.