Fri 3 Mar 06
Playing for Pride
As a Newcastle supporter I’m supposed to hate Sunderland, but I can’t help feeling sorry for this guy:
Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy says his players are proud to be representing the Wearside outfit.
Although The Black Cats are destined for the drop, the Stadium of Light boss has been impressed by his squad’s determination, character and professional pride.
[…]
“They play for themselves, their own pride, their own personal bit. What’s nice about them, collectively, is they’re all playing for the club.
“The results have been poor,” he confessed. “We’re all disappointed and all sick about it.
“But they keep scrapping and they do take immense pride in the fact they’re playing for Sunderland and that red and white shirt. It’s something to be proud of.”
To be honest, I’d love to see the Black Cats pull off a miracle turnaround and stay up. At most, I’m indifferent to the likes of Birmingham City, Portsmouth and West Brom, and it would be great to keep the Tyneside rivalry going for another year.
Many consider the 2002/03 Sunderland side, which finished the year with only 19 points, the worst club in Premiership history. This year’s edition has 10 points with only 11 matches left. (West Ham and Wigan, whom Sunderland beat handily in the Championship last year, have 41 and 40, respectively.)
Damian P.
