Fan Letters: “Failure will be the end for Johnson” claims reader Mark - Is he right?

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Dear Roker Report,

Looking at Kyril’s father's record at Marseille during his tenure there were over fifteen plus managers in charge like father like son as the saying goes. I think Kyril will not tolerate failure either. The lad seems a shrewd businessman and wants to succeed in probably everything he does. The interest he has shown in the club and its history has been a breath of fresh air and long may it continue. Failure to not get promoted this season I think will be the end for Johnson, that’s just the way football is nowadays.

Then, on the other hand, if we get promoted will Kyril entrust Johnson with rebuilding the squad with twenty-plus players out of contract I just don’t know if he will. For the first time in years, the infrastructure is being put in place to finally move this club out of the darkness into the light. Whether it will be with the present manager we will have to wait and see.

Nothing surprises me in this era of football, look at Watford they change managers twice a season. Whatever happens at the end of the season for the first time in years I have faith in the new owner to take this club to better and greater things the fans and people of Sunderland deserve it.

Mark Wild

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Thanks for your letter, Mark, I too believe that we are at the start of a new era, but I don't share your assessment that, if we don’t go up this season, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will sack Lee Johnson. He’s said as much already, on the record. Along with Kristjaan Speakman and the recruitment team, Johnson needs time to recruit and shape a squad to play his way whatever happens in the next couple of weeks. This is a long term plan, as he explains in the video below.

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Dear Roker Report,

I’m not sure offering the tickets for the Play-Off game to season card holders is entirely fair.

What about all the people who have spent an absolute fortune on streams this season?

What about those of us with over 50 loyalty points?

I know they were never going to please everyone but this doesn’t seem right.

Jack Bovill

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Thanks for writing in Jack. Like you, I’m not a season ticket holder and I’ve bought every stream this season, and I’d absolutely love to be there for the playoff semi final. But for me and I think most people, it’s entirely right that the 12,000 season ticket holders who’ve already paid to have their seats at the Stadium of Light for the whole season get first dibs at the 10,000 tickets on offer. It seems entirely right to me.

Photo by Ray Tang/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

Read your news story on Lionel Perez with interest this morning.

He’s looking well, isn’t he?

I never thought he was the greatest keeper but I was a bit gutted he went off to the mags. Tainted his legacy a bit (not that he had much of one, but he was a bit of a cult hero).

Glad he didn’t enjoy it... hoh hoh hoh

I’d love to hear Lionel talk more about SAFC.

Maybe at a pub talk in the future?

If we ever get back to normal...

Dave Gardner

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Thanks for your letter, Dave. I loved Lionel back in the day, and he’s always looked fabulous hasn’t he! He’d definitely be a great guest on a podcast or a talk-in, maybe we should get Chris Wynn on the case!