Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Could we be witnessing David Moyes’ last hurrah as Sunderland manager this afternoon? He takes his side to The Vitality Stadium with his side having the unwelcome record of the worst start to a Premier League season after 10 games with just a measly 2 points to show for all their efforts.
They already find themselves 8 points from safety and you get the feeling that the damage is already done in what is looking like an unsaveable season. If you think Aston Villa last season were the barometer of bad then this Sunderland side is even worse.
Should they lose today then the decision for Ellis Short has to be whether or not to stick with David Moyes going into the international break or does he twist and perhaps throw up the Bat Signal for Sam Allardyce to return and try and work his magic again. It might well be too big a job even for Big Sam.
Last Saturday summed Sunderland’s season in the space of 11 minutes. On 65 minutes Jermain Defoe’s Penalty levelled proceedings at home to Arsenal and for the first time in campaign The Black Cats showed some passion and desire.
Fast forward to the 76th minute and Arsenal had hit back by scoring three unanswered goals in just 6 minutes. The Sunderland defence literally melting in the rare lunchtime autumnal sun. It was an embarrassing collapse and one that had fans once again reaching for the exits early.
They simply have to win today if not to save Moyes’ job then to try and kickstart a season which hasn’t got going at all. They have given the rest of the Premier League a 10 game head start and if they are to have even the slightest hope of survival then a first win has to come this afternoon.
They go up against a Bournemouth side who struggled against North East opposition last Saturday as they fell 2-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. That defeat ended their unbeaten run which was at 4 matches prior to defeat to Aitor Karanka’s men
Although Eddie Howe will be disappointed at losing last Saturday the overall report after the first quarter of the season will make for impressive reading with The Cherries currently finding themselves in 10th. If they could finish there come May then it will be a job very well done by Howe.
But that prospect is still 27 matches away and in the immediacy Bournemouth will fancy their chances of recording a 4th win of the season. To be honest you would have to be a very brave man to bet on Sunderland picking up a win Today, I can’t see it coming at The Vitality Stadium. I can also see Moyes being given his P45. A home win for me.
