Return of O'Neill - divided opinion

[Greg N'Ash]

I see despite the early days feelgood factor points boost of employing the greatest bestest messiah-like manager evoh, Sunderland can now only  manage a drab 10th at best. I fear Mr. Short's chequebook could be taking a bit of a hammering this summer. Proof there's always someone worse off than yourself even if they don't know it yet.

[Davey B]

I see despite the early days feelgood factor points boost of employing the greatest bestest messiah-like manager evoh, Sunderland can now only  manage a drab 10th at best. I fear Mr. Short's chequebook could be taking a bit of a hammering this summer. Proof there's always someone worse off than yourself even if they don't know it yet.

Worse off? I think not! 

[D.boy]

I would agree with Davey at the moment. I still wouldn't want MON back though. It will be interesting to see how Sunderland develop over the next couple of seasons.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I see despite the early days feelgood factor points boost of employing the greatest bestest messiah-like manager evoh, Sunderland can now only  manage a drab 10th at best. I fear Mr. Short's chequebook could be taking a bit of a hammering this summer. Proof there's always someone worse off than yourself even if they don't know it yet.

Worse off? I think not! 

You'd better get the cheque book out sharpish or he'll flounce out like a sulking teenager.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Follow these 10 rules Davey B and you won't go wrong


1. You are privileged and blessed to have him as your Manager, should you ever forget this, his media chums will be on hand to remind you on a regular basis.

2. Allow him to spend £12m including transfer fee and  wages on a centre half and over £8m in transfer fees and wages on a 32 year old right back, if he decides within weeks of their arrival that he does not want them, DO NOT question his judgement, instead offer him more money for replacements.

3. AT NO POINT must you employ anybody at your club who will try to pull rank on him in any shape or form. REMEMBER that he is the 21st century Brian Clough and must be given the same sort of workplace freedom that the late, great man enjoyed.

4. DO NOT BE FOOLED that O'Neill has no plan B when you are struggling to break down any obstinate opposition, please remember that Martin's brain is a thing of computer like complexity, constantly churning out possible new formations and styles of play.

5. One of your best young players is James McLean, DO NOT question Martin's judgement if he inexplicably sells him to Bolton for a bargain basement fee. Martin will have one eye on a replacement and will be carefully weighing up the pros and cons of Karl Henry, or even using his vast worldwide army of scouts to pluck a rough diamond from the Swiss second division.

6. DO NOT COMPLAIN should he sign either Richard Dunne or Emile Heskey from Aston Villa, to the unsophisticated, untrained eye of the beer swilling man on the terraces, they look like fat, inept Sunday morning cloggers, but only a man of Martin's footballing knowledge, who possesses a hawk like ability to spot what no other person can, will see the qualities that they have in abundance.

7. If he should ever attend any social function involving Sunderland supporters, do not DARE to question the great man on supposed bizarre team selections. Martin positions his team on the pitch as Bobby Kasprov would position his pieces as he approaches check mate.

8. PLEASE do not make any minor disparaging remarks about him of any sort, Martin has a crack team of solicitors working 24/7 to ensure that ignorant so called football supporters do not bring his impeccable character into question.

9. If at all possible, please have discussions with the Premier League about changing the club name to MARTIN O'NEILL'S SUNDERLAND, it's best to keep on the right side of Martin at all times and this could go a long way to cementing a solid relationship, or at least stop him from walking away like a manbaby, 5 days before the season starts.

10. Guffaw and laugh at his hilarious stop/start interviews, after a witless surrender against lower opposition, take comfort in Martin's endearing habit of continually pushing his glasses up his nose and repeatedly saying the words 'wee' and 'terrific'

[KevinGage]

I see despite the early days feelgood factor points boost of employing the greatest bestest messiah-like manager evoh, Sunderland can now only  manage a drab 10th at best. I fear Mr. Short's chequebook could be taking a bit of a hammering this summer. Proof there's always someone worse off than yourself even if they don't know it yet.

Worse off? I think not! 

Will you still be saying that when you're looking forward to a summer of cashing in on the feelgood factor and sign... Kevin Davies?   

[dave.woodhall]

Next time you score, have a look at the bench and see if any of his backroom staff are jumping up and dancing around like he is.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Thirty five year old Kevin Davies on a 3 and a half year contract for £60k a week sounds about right.

[Dante Lavelli]

Next time you score, have a look at the bench and see if any of his backroom staff are jumping up and dancing around like he is.

That’s too cryptic for me. 

[Davey B]

I would agree with Davey at the moment. I still wouldn't want MON back though. It will be interesting to see how Sunderland develop over the next couple of seasons.

This is the point we are all at now, WILL he be allowed to develop the side the way we want to see it developed? The "PETERING-OUT" run in has shown clearly what Bruce has left us with, and despite all the rightly or wrongly shown ill-feeling by some on here, he without a doubt needs to overhaul the squad.

[Davey B]

I see despite the early days feelgood factor points boost of employing the greatest bestest messiah-like manager evoh, Sunderland can now only  manage a drab 10th at best. I fear Mr. Short's chequebook could be taking a bit of a hammering this summer. Proof there's always someone worse off than yourself even if they don't know it yet.

Worse off? I think not! 

You'd better get the cheque book out sharpish or he'll flounce out like a sulking teenager.

We'll see! I can't see Ellis Short not backing him after what he achieved with what we had, but i don't think it will be a fortune given to him either!

[Davey B]

Will you still be saying that when you're looking forward to a summer of cashing in on the feelgood factor and sign... Kevin Davies?   
[/quote]


Feelgood factor was the bit of cup run we enjoyed, until it burnt out against Everton! Currently it's mere relief at not being involved in an end of season relegation scrap, as per the norm. I'd actually take Kevin Davies as he'd definately do us a job, and in my opinion would get goals in our team. Better than what we've got up front at the minute ..... Sess not included!

[KevinGage]

When the buzz of finishing above us has faded, I wonder how he'll feel about the prospect of  mid>lower half of the table for the foreseeable.

[Davey B]

Next time you score, have a look at the bench and see if any of his backroom staff are jumping up and dancing around like he is.

Why Dave? I'm not following your gist here mate! 

[Dante Lavelli]

I would agree with Davey at the moment. I still wouldn't want MON back though. It will be interesting to see how Sunderland develop over the next couple of seasons.

This is the point we are all at now, WILL he be allowed to develop the side the way we want to see it developed? The "PETERING-OUT" run in has shown clearly what Bruce has left us with, and despite all the rightly or wrongly shown ill-feeling by some on here, he without a doubt needs to overhaul the squad.

Exactly.  That’s the bit you want to be worried about.  His scouting is limited at best and (at Villa) he rarely looked for outside advice.  So if you’re lucky enough to have a decent scouting network he will ignore it and do his own thing = limited players from the UK on big money.

You should also be worried about his lack of coaching, that is actually training the players.  To this end, he rarely trusts youngsters and buys 26 years olds so that he does not have to develop their games too much.

He is excellent, the best, at the man-management and motivation of his core squad, but anyone on the periphery will be jettisoned, regardless of their ability or indeed how knackered the core 15 players are.