|
Seventy3': Posted on 08 May 2012 17:45
 It seems a long time ago now that I was bragging
about how easy life was for Good Cat and how Bad Cat would be heading for the
dole office. Those first 3 months after the arrival of O'Neill were crucial in
securing our safety, and thank God for that purple patch as we have hit the
wall in the past month or two, much as a marathon runner does towards the end
of his race.
I can't blame the effort of indeed much of the performance levels of the team
on Saturday but again we failed to convert chances into goals and it's becoming
a bit like Groundhog Day in terms of having the same comments to make over the
past few weeks.
|
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 30 April 2012 17:51
As we enter the final few games of the season I was fearing the worst when a relegation battling Bolton turned up, fighting for their lives and on a relatively good run of form, they were always likely to be a tricky opponent. In that respect they were true to form - for the first 15-20 minutes they were the hungriest of the two teams, chasing down and battling for every ball (much as we have become accustomed to seeing from our boys under O'Neill). When they took the lead, it was probably justified and given our problems in front of goal I wasn't overly optimistic for a change. |
|
|
Bad Cat: Posted on 24 April 2012 11:06
Bad cat purrs over the trip to Villa park...
After all the recent debate about important refereeing errors, you would think I would know better.
When I stopped jumping about after Bendtner’s “goal” and saw the linesman’s flag, I still naively thought yes, it was tight; he must have been a fraction offside. No, he wasn’t. It wasn’t even close. Not only was the not so Great Dane not level as O’Neill charitably suggested, he had clearly moved from behind the last defender to convert an excellent cross. |
|
|
Good Cat: Posted on 24 April 2012 10:57
Good cat get his claws into the game v the Villians..
Another game, another clean sheet, another blank. There's little doubt that we are drawing towards the end of the season but in fairness against Villa we managed to create plenty of chances and were the better team. We were simply unfotunate to come away with just the one point.
In terms of positives, I thought Colback was outstanding (again) as he continues to improve under the watchful eye of O'Neill. When we sold Henderson last year I was optimistic that Colback would be able to fill the void and infairness I think he has developed into an even better player than Jordan was.
|
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 16 April 2012 17:42
 Well it appears that we have reached that stage of the
season where our players know the job is done and that we are simply playing
out the remaining fixtures. The performance against Wolves was not great but
not unexpected. We secured another clean sheet which is to be applauded, in
truth they rarely threatened which was a surprise considering their ‘must win
every game’ scenario.
Sunderland had the better chances and Sessegnon was probably
the star of the show, though Mignolet impressed whenever he was called upon. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 02 April 2012 16:31
 Well
apologies for being a little late with this week’s review but having replayed
the game several times in my head it has taken me this long to realise that the
game was actually real. What a game and what a performance from the lads.
It
was a stark contrast to the Sunderland team that turned up against Everton. All
the lethargy and sloppiness that we saw during that disastrous exit from the FA
Cup was replaced by a vibrancy and a freeness that saw our shackles well
and truly shed – resulting in a thoroughly entertaining and at times unplayable
Sunderland team. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 28 March 2012 16:34
 Well that was not pleasant viewing, even for the most
optimistic of felines like myself. We simply did not turn up last night, second
to the ball, touch of a donkey, errant passing – and not just from one or two
individuals, ths was a poor performance from the entire team.
After so much excitement and expectation it was the
inevitable disappointment that seems to turn up at the most inopportune of
moments for all Sunderland fans, almost without fail. However, even from the
shambolic performance of last night we must glean a glimmer of hope. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 26 March 2012 16:33
 After last weeks’ horror show performance, this was a chance
for the lads to put the world to rights and prove that it was nothing more than
a minor blip on the club’s march to world dominance. Thankfully they did not
let us down, and everyone that stepped onto the pitch, did so with a steely
intent that they wanted to prove their place in Tuesday’s FA Cup showdown.
On paper, this was likely to be a close affair with QPR
battling for survival and on a high following their remarkable comeback victory
over Liverpool in their previous game. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 22 March 2012 10:59
 It is in my nature to be a positive soul, to put some
perspective on things, during the ‘bad times’. Fact of the matter is that since
the arrival of O’Neill there have been precious little in the way of bad times
(with the exception of WBA and now Blackburn).
Why then do so many ‘fans’ seem to think the end of the
world is upon us? One poor performance, and all of a sudden we are a club in
crisis. Some of the people that have been spouting their tripe on Twitter,
Facebook and message boards need to give their heads a shake. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 19 March 2012 16:56
 The fact that we have survived a trip to Goodison without
falling to defeat is cause for celebration in itself. The fact that we now have
the opportunity to bring them back to the SoL, which is becoming a fortress
since the arrival of Martin O’Neill is cause for cautious optimism.
On paper, this was always going to be a tight affair, the
records of both teams were virtually identical this season, as was the style of
play, quality of personnel and management.
The opening 20 minutes was as good as I have witnessed for
quite some time from the lads. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 12 March 2012 17:11
 It shows how far we’ve come (and how far Liverpool have
declined) when we entered into this game and I had no fear of the opposition
and a genuine belief that we would win the game. I think with team’s like
Liverpool and Arsenal it is possible to get the better by having a higher work
rate and desire – the key to which is good management and buy-in of the team to
that style of play.
Sunderland, under O’Neill have that in abundance and once again
it was the deciding factor in getting us the victory. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 06 March 2012 12:21
 Another valiant display form the lads leaves much to be
appreciated in the eyes of Good Cat this week.
The build-up to this season’s
trip to the cess pit formerly known as Sid James Park, put me in an optimistic
frame of mind (a dangerous state to be in). Aside from last week’s
disappointment at WBA, we have been nothing short of perfect under O’Neill’s
management.
From the start, it was evident that we were the better team
and certainly had the greater desire to win the game – perhaps evident in
Catt’s over-eagerness to get the ball (on another day he may have seen red
within the opening minute). |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 27 February 2012 14:45
 On the face of it, a four nowt defeat on Saturday was a bad
day at the office. Almost unlike us, especially since MON came in. I, however,
think that we needed that kick up the backside, a wake up call ahead of a
massive game at the Sports Direct Arena on Sunday.
Let me explain myself before you get down my throat, though!
With the skunks game next week, the last thing we want to
happen is for us to go into the fixture thinking we’ve already won it (like a
lot of fans did last season) because we’re confident, almost too confident in
fact. |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 20 February 2012 13:25
 This morning I have a
smile wider than that of my cousin (twice removed) the Chesire Cat. It is
getting to the stage now where I genuinely expect us to win every game,
regardless of the opposition. As a fan, I fear no one that steps onto the pitch
at the SoL (if Barcelona was to turn up, I’d expect us to battle out for at
least a draw). That is testimony to the belief that Martin O’Neill has
instilled into the squad and more importantly the work ethic and team ethic
that the players enthuse on the pitch. |
|
|
GC v BC: Posted on 13 February 2012 17:17
 Well the winning run had to come to an end at some time and I’d rather it be against a ‘top 6’ team than one of the teams below us. I think anyone that watched the game at the weekend would have to agree that we were very unlucky not to come away with something, testament in itself that we are more than capable of competing with the best in the league. Our unusual record of not losing a game by more than one goal remains, and the first home defeat for O’Neill will no doubt be handled with a rallying cry to ensure it does not happen again next weekend when we will look to exact our revenge in the cup. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 10 February 2012 12:40
_______________________________________________________________________ Now over their hangovers (vodka and milk are a bad combo...), Good Cat and Bad Cat are back to argue the toss - who do you agree with, though? Leave your comments on the article below! _______________________________________________________________________  We won, we are into the next round of the FA Cup (not many more rounds to go now), we beat our local(ish) rivals. What isn't there to be happy about? I'm sure Bad Cat will find a few things. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 06 February 2012 15:09
 Well it's impossible to mention the game without mentioning the weather first. Even for a permanently positive feline like myself, I cannot think of anything nice to say about the conditions endured by the players and fans at Stoke this weekend. They did well to get though it without frostbite, and in fairness the bitterly cold wind, treacherous surface under foot and whit-out conditions were always going to make for a scrappy affair. In that respect, we were not left disappointed by our expectations. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 03 February 2012 10:30
_______________________________________________________________________ Better late than never! Good Cat and Bad Cat reflect upon another great MON-inspired SAFC performance, with the miserable half of the team facing redundancy should we carry on winning in this manner! _______________________________________________________________________  I'm starting to run out of compliments for O'Neill and his team at the moment, the turnaround in form and performance it is nothing short of staggering since the arrival of O'Neill. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 30 January 2012 16:59
 OK so I'll hold my paws up and admit that wasn't our greatest performance of the season but still plenty of positives to pick out of the game, besides it's nice to give bad cat some scraps to chew on for a change.
As expected O'Neill stated his intent to try and progress as far as possible in this year's FA Cup, naming a full strength starting 11, I don't think he could have picked a better starting 11 from the players he had available. It's also reassuring to see a settled team of regulars week in, week out - rather than the constant swapping and changing that we had seen under Bruce. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 23 January 2012 13:04
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sunderland win again - and back for their weekly rant and rave are good cat and bad cat. You have to feel sorry for BC - times are hard for the miserable bugger. Despite what looked a comfortable win, we still had injury to Bendtner. Who do you agree with? Leave your comment in the section below. _______________________________________________________________________  Normal service was resumed this weekend. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 16 January 2012 14:24
_______________________________________________________________________
Despite suggestions over the last few weeks that Bad Cat was facing the sack, an unfamiliar defeat has given him time and a little reason to moan, perhaps. Let me hand over to the Seventy3' cats... _______________________________________________________________________  Well, after three wins on the bounce, we were starting to wonder when the O'Neill juggernaut was going to come to a stop. A trip away to Chelsea was always going to be the biggest test since his appointment and on this occasion it proved one miracle too far. |
|
|
God Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 09 January 2012 17:06
_______________________________________________________________________
Lets be honest, it is becoming increasingly difficult for our bad cat to continue his negative tirade against the club. The way things are going, we have a very positive season to look forward to.
Still, it is worth a read to see what straws he is clutching at, and what our good cat has to say on our fantastic run of form. _______________________________________________________________________
Good Cat!
Three wins in a row! When was the last time we could say that? |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 04 January 2012 14:00
Good cat and bad cat are back once again giving their views on the win last night against lowly Wigan. It is becoming increasingly hard for BC to stay depressed. Whats with all this winning? Leave your comments below this article giving your views on what they have had to say! ___________________________________________________________________________________  Running the risk of sounding like a southern ponce, all I can say is O.M.G! I’m starting to fear for my siblings’ job if Martin O’Neill continues to deliver the goods week in, week out – let’s be honest Bad Cat must be running out of things to say. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 02 January 2012 19:30
 _______________________________________________________________________
Good Cat is in fine spirits today. Do you agree with what he has to say, though? _______________________________________________________________________
Well for all the years that I have said Happy New Year, yesterday was probably the most accurate after a performance that saw us beat the league leaders and more importantly, look more than capable than competing with the best in the league. It typified everything that has changed since the arrival of O'Neill and highlighted his ability to get the best out of every player on the pitch by creating a team that will fight for each other rather than for themselves as individuals. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 22 December 2011 13:27
The Seventy3' cats are at it again after yet another game - which do you agree with though? Are you half full like good cat or half empty like bad cat? Let us know in the comments section below the article. __________________________________________________________________________________  Well, well, well, I'm not sure abouy you but I've just about calmed my heart rate down to normal after last night's roller coaster of a game. What a spectacle, what a performance from the lads and what a result. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 19 December 2011 15:20
 Well we all knew it wasn't going to be easy against a Spurs team riding high at the top of the Premiership, a side that many consider to be genuine title contenders. But with the Martin O'Neill factor still riding high I fancied us to nick something at the Lane this weekend. In truth we very nearly did. We gave as good as we got yesterday, competing man for man across the park with very little between the two sides. If these are genuine title contenders then we must take heart form the performance of the boys in red and white, we were every inch as good as them. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 13 December 2011 15:50
 Let the good times roll. A first game in charge brings a first win for Martin O’Neill. What’s not to be happy with? Surely my miserable sourpuss of a relation ‘Bad Cat’ is tongue tied for a change. The buzz around the ground and the sense of belief, hope and expectation was tangible before kick off yesterday. For the first time in a long time we had someone we had faith in at the helm of the ship. Captain O’Neill did not disappoint. I was surprised with his starting line up, largely at the inclusion of Wickham (who for some reason had refused to inform me he was fit again – welcome back Connor) and Bramble (who appears to be back from the wilderness). |
|
|
Seventy3': Posted on 05 December 2011 16:01
 After a whirlwind week that saw us lose a manager that most never wanted, and gained a manager that most have wanted for the past decade, everything was set for a positive write up after the customary victory over lowly Wolves. At one nil up and cruising all was looking well. With a penalty awarded and our dead-ball specialist stepping up to secure a well-deserved 3 points, I was already sharpening my pencil to tell you all about how we had turned the corner already and that this was a sign of things to come under the guidance of O’Neill. |
|
|
Resident Felines: Posted on 28 November 2011 13:45
 Well for even the most positive thinking of felines the result against Wigan at the weekend was deflating and it’s taken me a day or two to gather my composure and pick through the negatives to take a more pragmatic view of the game. Yet again, the first half was full of endeavour and creativity, we looked dangerous on every marauding run and our efforts were rewarded when Larsson hammered home a much deserved goal. Before the game I’d said that much would depend on which Al Habsi turned up – clown or genius. |
|
|
Seventy3's Resident Felines: Posted on 21 November 2011 11:33
The Seventy3' cats are in fine form this week after another disappointing home result from the lads. Which do you agree with though? Leave your comments below this blog. ______________________________________________________________________ Well it wasn’t the most entertaining of games this weekend but a clean sheet and a game whereby no luck came our way (yet again) means we can look back with a certain amount of positivity. The opening period of the game saw us hit the woodwork a couple of times thanks to marauding runs from midfield, with both Ricco and Colback being the unfortunate ones. |
|
|
Good Cat/Bad Cat: Posted on 07 November 2011 10:48
Good Cat and Bad Cat are back this week after the defeat in Manchester - but which of our felines do you agree with? Leave your comments below this article. Good cat enjoying a positive display from the lads at the weekend, despite defeat. OK so we lost a game, but plenty more positives than negatives to talk about. A 1-0 defeat against Man Utd at Old Trafford is not the worst result in the world. So far this season we have not lost a game by more than one goal – we are always in there, always fighting, and always in with a chance. |
|
|
Bad Cat: Posted on 30 October 2011 18:42
So, does the
morning after the return of the Great Satan find Bad Cat a more contented
kitten or an even more sour puss?
I must admit
an illusory euphoria can often come from equalising late in a game you think
you’ve lost and even I am not immune from this. However, any vestige of comfort
Sess’s salvage job may have given me was well and truly swept away by the
interview with Bruce whom I watched on “Match of the Day” in open-mouthed
astonishment.
We are, the
increasingly delusional Bruce claims, “hard to beat”. |
|
|
Good Cat: Posted on 30 October 2011 18:39
Another performance full of heart and determination from the lads yesterday can only be a good thing.
Before the game much had been made of the returning Bent and as expected our magnificent support ensured he knew what he had walked away from.
Another great performance from our twelfth man. I thought we started the game well, pushing forward and threatening on numerous occasions. Once again the stars of the show were Sessegnon and Larsson who continue to shine in a Sunderland shirt. |
|
|
Bad Cat: Posted on 23 October 2011 19:23
Well, you’d expect Bad cat to be the Cat who got the
cream today, eh? He ought to be grinning like one of his Cheshire cousins, you
would think. Well. I am not that easily pleased as you will see.
Firstly, my mood was not lifted byThe Bromilow Armsonly having one barrel of real ale available and
that running out at 12:40. The Cat could not tolerate such amateurish behaviour
and repaired hastily up the road toThe
Barnstormerswhich had, fortunately, grasped the scale of the thirst which
afflicts traveling Roker fans. |
|
|
Good Cat: Posted on 23 October 2011 19:19
It's always much easier to feel good when we win, and today I'm feeling fandabidozi. A victory, a clean sheet, an away win, a competent performance, a willingness to keep going until the very end. All points which made the win against Bolton all the more sweeter.
The first good point to mention is that of our amazing fans. Most teams that have been struggling a little tend to see attendances on the wane; however the trip to Bolton saw our red and white army turn up in numbers to help push the lads over the finish line. |
|
|
Bad Cat: Posted on 17 October 2011 15:02
Hello, I'm Bad Cat.
I may aswell introduce myself - I'm not particularly happy about SAFC ever and I've been asked to place my moans and groans into a blog for this site. I thought, "Why not?" - everyone needs a good winge and moan every once in a while.
Onto the game. As soon as my phone buzzed pre-match in the
“Hope and Anchor” in Islington what everybody had expected was confirmed:
Sessegnon on his own and two strikers on the bench.
Shades of the Brighton debacle but was anyone surprised? |
|
|
Good Cat: Posted on 17 October 2011 14:55
First off I thought it was only right to give a quick introduction to myself in this, the first of a regular new blog.
I am Good Cat, each week I will be looking only at the positives of the match so for all you optimists out there, you will hopefully enjoy reading my up-beat reviews. For the doom mongers, hopefully I can spread a little light and lift spirits a little whenever you feel low.
Well I have to say that there were a lot of positives to be taken from the defeat at Arsenal. I think that after 30 seconds many were fearing a cricket score but the lads stood up to be counted and in the end were extremely unlucky not to come away with at least a point (possibly three). |
|
