Fan Letters: “The Sky’s The Limit!”

Signage at the Stadium of Light Metro station before the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg match in Sunderland. Picture date: Saturday May 13, 2023. (Photo by Will Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images

Want to have your say on all things Sunderland? Drop us a line and we’ll publish your views! RokerReport@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Roker Report,

First off I just want to say what a fantastic fansite this – I check it out everyday along with the podcasts.

I wondered whether the issue of early leavers and post match traffic congestion could be mitigated to an extent by the Club speaking to Nexus and seeing if additional metros could be put in place on all match days.

Could Roker Report perhaps broach this subject with the Club to see if this could be discussed with Nexus?

Cheers,

Nick

Ed’s Note [Chris]: Well thank you very much Nick! Really appreciate that you listen in and check out the website.

As far as the early leavers are concerned, it’s always a tough one because I doubt there is one solution because everyone has a particular reason to leave and their own lives to live following the game, so it’s always a tough one.

I think better transport links can only help but it’s not the only solution. The issues are that we need to get people away from the ground quicker which might mean keeping more at the stadium after the game.

For anyone who has been to Twickenham for the rugby will know it’s a nightmare to get away from afterwards, so all the bars are open in the stadium and they create a good atmosphere around the place after the game.

That combined with better links will help, but I still think people will leave early because they have things to get back to!

Dear Roker Report,

Chip on my shoulder time!

Just read quotes from De Zerbi and Van Der Ven saying they did not deserve to lose and we weren’t much better than them! What a pair of goons.

The lads rarely looked under any kind of pressure from the entitled cockneys and only sloppy finishing stopped us getting three or four more goals (put that right for next season). Moan over!

This has been one of the best seasons I’ve  watched in years and there’s still six games to play. The sky’s the limit!

It’s hysterical what’s happening to the skunks as well!

Keep the faith. Till the end. HWTL and FTM forever!

John Robson

Ed’s Note [Chris]: Cheers for the message John! I think they way the likes of that lot up the road and Spurs fans react to our results against them makes this season taste even sweeter! Everyone thought we would be the whipping boys and some even thought Burnley were in a better shape to stay up than us!

Let them keep writing us off John and we’ll just keep enjoying ourselves!

Dear Roker Report,

Long time listener from the middle of Canada with little exposure to football outside of TV and podcasts.

My question is what is the chance of keeping this entire squad intact?

What is the case for this squad improving even more next season? Do Premier league teams get better over time after being assembled as this team was after promotion, is there past precedent from other teams for improvement in Season 2?

I watch and can’t help thinking this team isn’t at its full potential, this season with AFCON and up coming World Cup had in my opinion had a lot of non premier league games that a lot of players gave time and effort to, so would next season be different?

Also, do teams in the Premier league that largely keep teams together fall off in Season 2?

Love the Pod, I love learning how these non-North American sports and leagues operate and function.

Sunderland Till I Die.

Danny (from Saskatchewan)

Ed’s Note [Chris]: Good to hear from you Danny, thanks for getting in touch!

It’s a strange one because as much as we’d love the players in this current squad to stay together and progress, we probably need to accept that this is unlikely. Just like last season and we saw Bellingham move on, we may well see players move, but at a huge profit.

Most of the players in the younger age bracket signed five-year deals when they joined the club, so we’re under no obligation to sell, but we will no doubt have had conversations with them when they signed that we might potentially be a stepping stone for them. But, with the recruitment we had last summer, I think that if a player leaves then it’s an opportunity for us to strengthen, and we shouldn’t fear that.

Let’s enjoy these last six games and see where it takes us, because that might have a big impact on what happens in the summer.