Would anyone admit to actually wanting Ipswich to beat us? I am in two minds myself. I mean when the game starts I may well revert to type and want us to win but in all honesty, an Ipswich win would be better for my nerves. I simply cannot stomach the idea of the Mackems in Europe next season. These last couple of seasons have been hard enough to cope with. I know that there are some who still have lingering thoughts of catching the Mackems but being realistic that's not going to happen. The perfect scenario of course, is for us to win, the Mackems to lose to Tottenham and for us to win the derby. Then hopefully they could kiss Europe goodbye. I for one though, think that they will beat Tottenham and will certainly beat us. Therefore it's vital for Ipswich to have a good run in. Any thoughts?

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Answers

We need the points. Screw the mackems.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Why do we need them so much?

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Points mean wins, wins mean they are doing what they get paid so handsomely to do , it is nowt to do with Sunderland, its us, its the club, its the town, rest is immaterial

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Reminds me of this time in 1989. I went to see us at Norwich, we were still in with a shout at avoiding relegation & for the first time for a while Jim Smith played Mirandinah from the start. Norwich needed to win to challenge Liverpool & Arse for the Championship. I really hated Liverpool and felt I wouldn't be too sad if Norwich beat us. In the event, Mirandinah scored twice, had a stormer & we won 2-1. Funnily Jin Smith wouldn't play 'Dinah again that season & we went down, thank god Arsenal beat the Scousers.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

Personally I`m not too worried how far Sunderland go - but then it doesn`t have much of an impact on our lives down here in the `sunny` South. I`d rather have the three points.(:o)

Our particular `bete noir` is Southampton. The perfect scenario there would be them hanging on by their fingertips, after a dismal season. Need them to stay up though - otherwise I won`t get the opportunity not to show up at Newcastle`s away fixture here next season!(;o)

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

No way in the world Bobby Robson is going to send his team to Ipswich to lie down. The Ipswich fans, rightly so, are planning to give Bobby a warm welcome and he won't want to be embarrassed.

I'm pinning my hopes on this one being our Clean Sheet game as long as Griffin plays to look after Heiridersson or whatever they call him.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

I'd rather we beat Ipswich. Okay, catching the hakkems is a forlorn hope but at least it keeps us hoping. If we lose to Ipswich, then even that hope disappears further down the pan.

It would take the edge of the hakkems getting into Europe if we could win at the sos, but what worries me (surprise, surprise) is that our lot still haven't latched on to how important a game the derby is, regardless of what else is at stake.

Thinking about it, it wouldn't take the edge off them getting into Europe. If we lose and they sneak in on goal difference, to my mind it'll be the goal(s) they scored against us that did it. That would be a real p****r.

Don't all yell at once - I'm perfectly well aware that, in those circumstances, losing any one of the games they've won this season could be said to have made the difference. Doesn't console me I'm afraid. I even think I'd rather we didn't catch them, but won at the sos (and hopefully keep them out of Europe) than the other way round.

Pathetic or what ?

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

Sorry...but I have to question SMB's credentials here....tut-tut.

BTW...looking at the table I can give you one very good reason why you need the points!!

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

There is no need to question my credentials old son. The fact is, I hate Sunderland more than I love Newcastle United. I always have I think. I mean if NUFC didn't exist, I would still hate the Mackems. I remember them winning the cup in '73 and me being told off by my dad because I was crying and in his view taking it all too seriously. Perhaps he was right but I can't help it. I think the best day of my life was when they went down to division 3.

Anyway there's no need to worry about relegation. Having looked at the fixtures, Coventry City are down!

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

(Think the unthinkable) all in italics

(Why not?) all in bold

(We have been watching the unwatchable for 3 seasons) all in sarcasm.

I think I have this HTML sorted now!!

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

Congrats on learning your first tag, gus! ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

If you look closely you might see 2 tags in there!!

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

Repeating the same one doesn't count. ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

I think therefore I am.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001