Fan Letters: “In retrospect, was Chris Coleman just NOT the man to take Sunderland forward?”

Dear Roker Report,

I thought you might like this rhyme I hoyed up!

---------------------------------------------------------------

EXCITING TIMES

IT’S WHAT WEVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

NEW OWNERS ON THE WAY

BRINGING WITH THEM LOTS OF CASH

TO STOP OUR CLUBS DECAY

REMOVING MOST OF THE PLAYING STAFF

GETTING RID OF ALL THE DROSS

SACKING CHRISSY COLEMAN

BRINGING IN A NEW BOSS

EXCITING TIMES THEY LIE AHEAD

SO FILL THE GROUND AND SHOUT

AND LET OUR NEW OWNERS SEE

WHAT SUNDERLAND IS ALL ABOUT

FOR WE ARE THE GREATEST

THE BEST FANS IN THE LAND

SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE ARE

AND OUR OWNERS WHAT WE DEMAND

Arty Watson

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Well put! Here’s hoping people heed your words and get to the Stadium on Sunday to show our new owner just what he’s buying into.

PA Images via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Chris Coleman is a nice bloke who spoke well – but he only won five matches, persisted with three at the back when that system wasn’t working and probably isn’t suited to Championship football... and made some questionable signings in January.

What’s the point in adding Camp’s wages to a crowded wage bill when he’s no better than Steele - and ditto LuaLua?

He was a good international manager but not a good Championship one.

Bizarrely he may be better suited to the Premier League.

Trevor Cartner

Ed’s Note [JN]: Coleman had almost zero say in the January signings. They were all orchestrated by Bain in order to add as many bodies as possible for as little as possible.

Coleman garnered just about as much success playing a back-three as he did a back-four. He had both arms tied behind his back with a blindfold on and a gaping hole in his wallet.

I think it's a minor miracle we even won at all considering the state of the club and more so squad. It was wholly unsuited to the Championship on a physical level and consisted of kids with no experience, older players that lack the hunger to succeed and mercenaries that couldn't care less as long as they got paid.

Although I do agree. Is Neil Warnock a better manager? Probably not. Would he get Wales to a Euro semi-final? No. But he is an irrevocable expert at leading teams out of this difficult division.

Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

If you look at Chris Coleman’s results it doesn’t make for good reading.

Yes, he was given an impossible task, but he failed. Still, he came across as a good man.

The new folk have looked at his previous experience and other than the Welsh job it falls down - they’ve decided to move him out, and get their own man in.

So - as an old man and long-time supporter - ha’way man, it’s the club that matters not the manager.

Let’s hope they get it right this time. Ha’way the lads!

Charlie Taylor

Ed’s Note [JN]: See above regarding Cookie's tenure. He definitely is a good man and he’ll be devastated he wasn't given the chance to turn this around.

As much as I like and respect the bloke, aye, it’s the badge and name on the front which is vital. I'd take him going if it pays off the debt and guarantees a future.