Fan Letters: The name on everyone’s lips to replace Simon Grayson is... Kevin Ball?

Dear Roker Report,

When I said in my previous letter that I was filled with dread for last night's game, I was justified in my pessimism.

The lack of marking and inept goalkeeping for their first goal is the only consistent thing that we have had this season. And, our passing was generally sh*t.

For their second goal, three of our defenders were drawn to the ball, leaving their forward with all the time in the world to slot it home. For their third - what the f**k was Ndong doing, or trying to do? Why he played it back to the goalie is beyond me, and the marking again was nonexistent.

By the time I got home, Grayson was sacked.

I'll ask you all a question - if we had won and then lost to Boro, would he have been sacked on Sunday? If so, why wasn't he sacked last Saturday?

How much will this cost and how much will it cost to get the RIGHT man now? How much will the new manager get to spend in January? Where will the money suddenly come from?

Steve Wyatt

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Of course the overriding question is whether the poor bloke would take it, but to me, Kevin Ball would be the ideal man to take on the mantle of Sunderland manager in the wake of Simon Grayson’s dismissal.

This is a man who knows the club, the area and most crucially the fans inside out.

Sunderland AFC has lost its identity completely - what we need is a man of Bally’s stature to re-install this identity, and build a culture within the club with players forced to opt in or opt out.

I’m not saying it would reap instant rewards, we are too much of a mess, but as a means to restore the club back where it belongs in the long run, we could do far worse. Of course, I’m not sure I’d wish such a hideous job on a genuinely nice bloke!

Louis Dinsdale

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

I can't lie, I'm writing this whilst drunk. I drank to forget about the abysmal performance we put in against Bolton. Simon Grayson has been sacked, which means change, for good or for bad.

One thing however is for sure, Sunderland have the quality, we have scored 3 goals against Brentford and Bolton now, 3 goals should mean 3 points ... but it doesn't. You can't concede 2 or more and expect to come away with points.

As much as it makes our position worse, I have to admit that for the most part, the players do give a toss. The problem is that mistakes get made despite the efforts being put in. The club is a mess - no one good will come to manage us because the club is in such a state. I imagine what little transfer budget we had just went on paying off the manager.

As the saying goes, "It's the hope I can't stand". I hope that someone comes in and turns the club around, but if someone comes in and has the same problems as Grayson then I really don't know where to go from there - in fact, the only place I can imagine we will go is League One.

It's gotten so bad that the only thing I can hope for is that someone can give me some more hope. We are a mess, and I'm terrified we are being lead down a path of further misery, but as ever we have to just sit and watch what Ellis Short does next with this once proud club.

Kieran O’Leary

Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

They say that Sunderland is in your blood, your DNA - you eat, breathe and sleep it. We turn up home and away because we are Sunderland through and through.

But, it stops there. This club is so far away from the community and the fans - the whole spirit of the club has gone.

We have always battled through, got stuck in, worked hard and played bloody hard - that’s gone. There’s just no passion, aggression, hunger and most of all commitment. It’s gone.

To move on we need a strong guy in charge who is going to shake this club up from the ground and give us what we as Sunderland supporters want - someone to step into that role and give this club some pride back.

Stephen Cairns

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

I have supported Sunderland for well over 50 years, but even in our darkest days I cannot remember a time when the club has been in such a mess.

So not before time Mr Short has pulled the trigger and sacked the hapless Simon Grayson, with his henchman claiming that fundamental change is necessary in order for the club to improve upon our current position.

Well Mr Short, here are some suggestions for what you should do next.

- Pull the trigger again and sack both Martin Bain and Robbie Stockdale. I’m not sure exactly what Stockdale does on the training ground as our first team coach - obviously not a lot, given our performances.

- Beg Niall Quinn to come back as CEO.

- Beg Kevin Ball, Alex Rae and Kevin Phillips to come in as our first team management trio.

- Beg Peter Reid to come in as Director of Football.

Yes, Messrs Ball, Rae and Phillips are an untried quantity, but can they be any worse than the tactically clueless Grayson?

One thing however that can be guaranteed is that they will unite and have an infinity with the fans and area, bring back our identity and pride, organisation and tactical nous on the pitch.

Chris Watson