'The End Is Nigh'

I doubt Manchester United will have had an easier afternoon all season. Sunderland huffed and puffed in the first half, with Victor Anichebe’s close range effort which was smothered by Romero, being the home side’s only chance of note. Seb Larsson’s red card was a harsh one, but it wouldn’t really have made too much difference to the overall outcome of the game. Individual errors have cost Sunderland once again. You don’t need me to tell you that giving yards of space to players of the class of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will end in inevitable punishment. Played on a glorious day, this game had a pre-season feel to it. It was like a training exercise at times. United strolled around at will, without ever needing to find second gear. Substitutes like Rashford and Martial are luxuries that our long suffering supporters can only dream of at the moment.

Sunderland have now drawn a blank in their past seven matches, and incredibly, in ten of the past eleven in all competitions. Those types of statistics were usually hallmarks of the ill-fated nineteen and fifteen point seasons. With only twenty-four goals in the ‘for’ column, finding the net this season has been a huge problem. If Jermain Defoe doesn’t score, Sunderland don’t score. It’s as simple as that.

I said last week that the players seem to be waiting for the inevitable, and nothing I saw on Sunday has made me change my mind. The spark just isn’t there. The fire is slowly going out. Sunderland will be dropping out of the Premier League after a decade-long stay. It may be a while before we see the likes of Manchester United on Wearside again, which will be a huge shame. There will be no ‘Great Escape’ this time. 

'Weekend Thoughts'

I'm struggling. I'm massively struggling to claw together any positives from another seemingly obligatory defeat on the road, also without scoring of course. I'm beginning to forget what that is like. Unfortunately this week, I'm finding myself bereft of any form of inspiration. Despite what David Moyes may say, the performance at Vicarage Road was poor. A ninety minute repeat exercise on how roll over and let opponents tickle our underbellies, just like most of our defeats this season. 

We didn't even make it difficult for Watford to bag all three points, and that's what annoys me. Whether you want to point an accusing finger at those behind the scenes, previous regimes, the manager or the players, feel free to vent your spleen because it's clear that the time for niceties is over. I've tried to 'Keep The Faith' and remind myself that 'Unity Is Strength', but now blunt and brutal honesty wins hands down. Our football club is currently on course to crash out of the top flight. The team is going through the motions and look to be expecting the inevitable. The fans expect the inevitable. Other clubs around us continue to keep their points total ticking over. 

Championship football is now staring us in the face, and the road back is a rocky one. It won't be plain sailing and the rebuilding job requires extensive surgery. The second tier is a 46 game slog; potential trips to Burton, Scunthorpe and Fleetwood certainly don't set the pulse racing. The division is graveyard for former top flight clubs, some even treading water to avoid dropping to the third tier. On Saturday evening, I cast an almost envious eye towards a resurgent Crystal Palace's win at The Bridge; to a beaming Sam Allardyce, and jealously pondered what might have been.

Michael