Players owe fans a show v Everton
IT'S been a difficult week to stay positive.
In fact, having watched the debacle down at The Hawthorns last week, it's been hard to be anything other than thoroughly depressed.
And now we are all wondering if, by some miracle of miracles, we will get the points we need at home to Everton on Sunday – or whether we will be on the receiving end of a good hiding.
There are those who are trying to look on the positive side and claim that the Merseysiders may take their foot off the pedal to keep themselves right for the FA Cup final.
Personally, I can't see it. I think the Toffees will be up for the game.
But whether they are or not is not really of concern.
For me the major worry is whether or not we are up for it, because it certainly didn't seem like we wanted to know against the Baggies.
And that to me is a damning indictment of the squad.
No one expects them to be world-beaters, no one even expects them to turn in a fantastic performance week in week out. But the very least we expect is for them to try.
Sunderland fans, who have been with the club through thick and thin, will put up with a lot.
However, when your travelling fans are booing you off the pitch at half-time and full-time, then quite clearly your display has been sub-standard.
Hopefully, both the supporters and the players will be able to put that dreadful performance behind them – it's vital that we do.
As supporters, it's time to forgive (if not forget) and get behind the team 100 per cent this weekend. After all, getting on their backs early on isn't going to help anyone.
The players, on the other hand, owe the fans a performance, and once again it's time for them to stand up and be counted.
Whatever the result on Sunday, they must come out fighting and be ready to give everything they've got for the cause.
If they can do that, then maybe we have a chance – anything less and we could find ourselves in real trouble in the fight to beat the drop.
Meanwhile, it seems Roy Keane wants to continue to rake over the coals since his departure from Sunderland.
His latest target is Andy Reid, who he has slammed for not being fit enough.
Now I wasn't at the Press conference, so maybe the quotes have been taken out of context, but if not, Keane has a valid point about Reid's fitness in my opinion.
However, I have to wonder whether Roy is trying to rewrite history here – as I don't remember the midfielder being any fitter when the new Ipswich boss was cracking the whip at the Stadium of Light.
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, Roy.
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Weather for South Shields
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
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