Will Steve Bruce roll over for United?
WILL former Red Devil Steve Bruce just let Manchester United win on Sunday? Don't make me laugh.
Come 4pm on Sunday, the media spotlight will be on the Stadium of Light as Fergie's men come to town.
Of course, the focus will be on United and whether or not they can retain the Premier League title.
In fact, even if we manage to spoil their plans, the furore that follows will be more about United's failings rather than any successes we might possibly achieve (not that I'll putting any money on that happening).
But whatever we may or may not achieve, it won't be down to a lack of trying.
Suggestions that as an ex-United player under Sir Alex Ferguson, Bruce will tell his players to lie down to help hand the title to the visitors are quite simply disrespectful.
I'm sure that he Sunderland boss would love to see his former club crowned Premier League champions at the end of the season.
But on Sunday, the pupil would equally love to teach his old master a lesson.
Having said that, to achieve anything we will have to be at our very best, and we are likely to need the men from Old Trafford to have an off day.
One thing I do hope (apart from of course that we do pull off a surprise), is that Darren Bent has a good game.
Bent has been voted the Black Cats player of the season – well there was only ever going to be one winner wasn't there?
The striker has enjoyed an outstanding first season on Wearside. Now, I hope he can add to his 25-goal tally for the campaign.
The debate over whether or not the former Tottenham man should go the World Cup is still raging on.
Personally, I think if Fabio Capello picks the squad on form like he said he would, then Bent has to be on the plane – and I can honestly say that has nothing to do with the fact that he plays for my club.
I saw a piece the other day by former striker Mark Bright, that suggested that because Bent hadn't played for the likes of United or Chelsea, Capello couldn't tell if he could handle pressure.
There's no denying that playing for huge clubs, challenging for the league title will bring it's own brand of pressure.
But surely scoring 25 goals, and carry the expectations of a club that has flirted with relegation this season, also has to be a fairly intense experience.
I'm not comparing Bent to Wayne Rooney or Didier Drogba (the only two players to score more Premier League goals than the Sunderland man this term).
However, I think it's fair to say that messrs Rooney and Drogba are blessed when it comes to the sort of service they receive from the superstars around them.
Something Bright might like to take into consideration before condemning Bent as not good enough for England.
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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
