Today, Sunderland approached the game in a completely different manner to us.

They acted like it was the be all and end all of their season, we seemed to approach it like it was just another game.

Obviously it wasn't just another game as it's a local derby, but I was surprised at how calm and cool we were.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Answers

AP

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

I reckon the main difference for the mackems can be seen on the fair play league , they are currently close to the cleanesst team in the league . So they are not going in for hard tackles and bullying players off the ball , which is what they did do very well .

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Any chance that has something to do with Rae and Hutchison not being in the team any more?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Bliddy hell Paul, which derby did you see ? They were generally hacky. Distin was lucky to be able to keep going after one tackle, and Bellamy didn't get the lickings of a dog either.

The referee was a complete asshole and lived down to his reputation except for the number of yellows - somebody higher up had obviously had a word with him.

They hadn't an ounce of subtlety, and judging by that game, they'll have no difficulty whatsoever in clogging their way to premiereship safety.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002