Time to reflect

At last, a little time to myself. Floor tiling is finished and grouted, just to polish off tomorrow.
I think I'm fully recovered from yesterday and reckon I'll sleep pretty good tonight. It's a good job we don't win a championship every year, I couldn't take the pace of days like yesterday, or, more to the point, my liver couldn't. Still it was worth it all. A full house for the first time in over two years, a win, ( even if it felt like an exhibition match) and a piss up afterwards.

It was good to be with the lads on a day like yesterday, and whilst I haven't been much this season, it is gratifying to know that staying away has not changed a thing between us. Once a Sunderland supporter always a Sunderland supporter and no matter how long you have been away from the fold you are always welcomed back, especially with a branch like Coxhoe.

So the close season is here and McCarthy is talking tonight about wanting 8 players in. He knows the size of the task which faces him and he won't underestimate it. He knows he needs to get off to a good start and must already be thinking that if he loses his first two games then he'll go down in history as the worst Premier manager ever with 11 straight defeats. But hey, we musn't think like that. I want him to succeed and you all know my views. He's done a great job with no finances, he's got the club back on an even keel, he's given us our pride back BUT will he hack it in the big league? I hope so, but somehow I think we'll really find out what kind of manager Mick is. After all, we thought Reid could walk on water and look where he is now.

So who will Mick look to sign? Which positions will he need to strengthen? Midfield for sure, with Thornton and Whitley being released. Will he look for another keeper or will he let Poom and / or Myrhe go? Do we need a big Centre forward, could it be Crouch? We will need a mobile and very quick Central defender, cos I've seen milk turn faster than Caldwell and Breen is no longer upto Premier Standard. It's all going to be very interesting. MM could do worse than take a leaf out of Allerdyces book and bring in experienced players on fixed term contracts for no fee. It's stood Bolton in good stead and may be the strategy to adopt to "establish" ourselves in the PL. If establishing ourselves means fininshing 4th bottom next season then I'll take it now. It's a long hard road ahead.

So Jimmy can now put his feet up. He's got his first season as Branch secretary under his belt. He's done a grand job so credit where it's due. He's found his feet so we can expect bigger things from Coxhoe branch in the years to come. It's an established and strong branch again, and to end on a postive note , the branch will be stronger next season, just watch what PL football does for us all.

Oh and the title link takes you to some decent photos from Getty Images of yesterday.