Sunderland still involved in relegation fight
IT'S not unusual for Sunderland to have a big say in the relegation fight at this time of the season.
But what does make for a nice change is that now the campaign is into what Sir Alex Ferguson calls 'squeaky bum time', our involvement is about what we could do to other teams rather than trying to save our own skin.
It's strange (but very pleasant) not to be heading towards the season's climax with our fate in the balance, but we still have a huge part to play.
The victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend looks to have put an end to Burnley's hopes of staying in the Premier League, and tomorrow we could put the nail in another team's coffin.
Hull, like the Clarets, are staring relegation in the face, and you have to say that should we take all three points at the KC Stadium then there will be no way back for the Tigers.
They are hanging on to their Premier League status by their fingertips, and will be desperate to get a result tomorrow.
I suppose the one thing they have in their favour is our dreadful away form.
By and large we have been shocking on the road this season.
On paper we should, and even on current form you would expect us to get something from the clash with Hull.
But as Brian Clough would say, football isn't played on paper. And, as we all know, Sunderland rarely do what is expected.
That said, I think we'd all be disappointed if we didn't come away from Hull with at least a point. Of course, ideally we'd like all three.
Like I have said in previous columns, it may be true that there is little to play for in terms of silverware, but every place higher up the table we can finish could be very valuable.
The higher you finish, the more cash comes your way from the Premier League – and that could make the difference between signing an extra player or not.
Speaking of extra players, it won't be too long before the summer silliness starts and we start to be linked with every single player under the sun.
Both Steve Bruce and assistant Eric Black have said they don't expect to see huge amounts of transfer activity when the transfer window reopens.
However, I think it is fair to say that we can expect the Black Cats management to be looking to add three or four players.
A couple of those players could well be free transfers, but I still think Bruce might spring the odd surprise.
For now though, it would be nice if we could finish as high as possible to help boost his war chest.
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Weather for South Shields
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
