Fan Letters: “Roll on Friday night” - Sunderland fans thrilled with side’s transformation

Dear Roker Report,

Trudging away from the SOL after another gut wrenchingly desperate performance against Bolton on Boxing Day I found it hard to remember ever feeling as low and frustrated.

Unfit players, a complete dis-unite between the club and the fans and looking down the League One table rather than up was the lowest I’ve felt in almost 60 years following the lads.

It was very easy to jump on the DonaldOut bandwagon but something had to be done.

The lifeblood of the club were hurting, emotions were running high, Our beloved club was dying before our very eyes.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Calls for protests amid a rumour of Administration.

Something had to be done and it remains to be seen whether our custodian will sell up after admitting he has clearly outstayed his welcome.

A very long walk around Fulwell and Seaburn rather than watch the Doncaster game was my own personal punitive protest even though I had goal alerts on my phone.

A good result and a good performance was totally unexpected but like a true fan my heart was lifted and once again my emotions were filled with hope but tainted with was this just likely to be a flash in the pan.

Another good performance away to Fleetwood a match we should have won and the semblance of a settled side and a system the team understood.

The self pity was still lingering but the gallows humour remained, we were unbeaten in 2020

Up next An invasion of 3,400 Imps and listening to their confident and vocal fans pre match the 90 minutes that unfolded was as spectacular as it was unexpected.

Totally dominant in the first half and probably and understandably less so in the second half after a hectic festive period.

Confidence on and off the pitch and an upcoming clash with league leaders Wycombe would surely help determine if we had actually turned the corner.

First half we played like Barcelona and the feel good factor around the SOL was a joy to behold.

Players, manager and fans all as one.

The best performance arguably since we lost our Premier League status and actually looking forward to our next match away to MK Dons.

A string of good results and estimates of 4,500 travelling Mackems. It doesn’t take much does it?

God knows what would happen if we were mildly successful.

A 75 yards thunderblast from the American Messi and another win.

Almost a month on since the Echo poll reported that 96% of us wanted Parky Out, myself included and we are now 6 points off top with a game in hand.

It’s never dull being a Sunderland fan I am dutifully eating my Humble Pie and loving every bite.

Roll on Friday night - STID

Paul Lund

Ed’s Note [Tom]: Hi Paul, what a transformation from Parkinson and his side! Passion, energy, quality on the ball... this team have really won the fans back over and long may it continue!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Can we just sign Liam Boyce the guy is a must,and we will need his goal because our strike force is just absolutely rubbish. Grigg Wyke and McNulty are just not doing it.

Tim

Ed’s Note [Tom]: Hi Tim, I do think we could do with another forward to offer us another dimension up top. I don’t personally know enough about Boyce to say yay or nay, but the point remains that we desperately need a striker to start finding the net for us.

Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

A goal is disallowed if the ball goes in off an attackers hand/arm. A penalty is not given if the ball accidentally hits a defender’s hand/arm. If the ball accidentally hits a defender’s hand then goes in, does the goal stand?

Bill

Ed’s Note [Tom]: Going to pass that one over to VAR, sit back, and watch the fume unfold on social media, haha!