Fan Letters: Should fans think about what they say & could short-term managerial contracts work?

Dear Roker Report,

In response to the behaviour of our away fans - yes, it is appalling.

There is a section of drunk fans who seem to go to the away games just to hurl abuse at our players on the pitch. It is toxic.

In the smaller grounds, players will be able to hear their own fans insulting them before the match even starts. It must affect their morale and performance. These ‘fans’ appear to go to the games with the sole intention of getting drunk and spreading negativity. By the Lincoln match, decent fans in the crowd were beginning to turn on these horrible people and confront their behaviour. I was glad of this, but even the noise of fans confronting fans must be depressing.

The whole experience of playing away and hearing the language being directly levelled towards individual players must be horrific. I wouldn’t want to play for those fans and I wouldn’t want to stay at Sunderland.

There is never ‘public disorder’ - so the police wouldn’t need to be involved - but you have to wonder why on earth these people spend all their money going to the games to spread their disease? As I said, it is toxic. I feel for the team and would wish to assure them that the loud minority do not speak for me.

Tandy Pickering

Ed’s Note [Tom]: Fans are always welcome to voice their displeasure, but once that turns into abusive language, then people really need to step back and think about what they’re doing. It’s good to hear than fans are willing to intervene and highlight abuse when they witness it.

I also think that once this team start playing to their true potential, we won’t see so much in the way of dissidence from the fanbase. That’s not to say the personal abuse is warranted by any means, but the frustrations are understandable. Ultimately, you’re right, we can do better.

Photo by Chris Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Seeing as the Parkinson out campaign is already underway I have this question. Why don’t we just employ managers such as Big Sam, Chris Hughton etc cos seeing how we are such a huge draw for “proven managers” and give them a ten game contract and if they haven’t won eleven times sack them?

Trevor Cockburn

Ed’s Note [Tom]: Interesting thought, Trevor. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re a big draw for many household names at present. Go up with new investment? Maybe things change, but how many big names would come to a League One side that aren’t exactly flying?

Furthermore, I think fans need to give Parkinson time. There are some minor signs of improvement in terms of chances created; I think we need to see who Parky goes after in January. So long as there’s improvement by next month, we’re moving in the right direction.