Very unlucky up at Bedlington on Saturday I am told, although missing pens can't really be counted as bad luck, can it? But overall by all accounts we were much the better side, against a team going very well indeed. But no points, which we rather need at the minute. Never mind, the next game is always the important one. Bob Paisley used to say you should ignore results, as anything could happen in football, and focus on performances only. Mind, he was usually top of the table so he could afford to let results look after themselves, bit more difficult down the other end. And now we have a boatload of games at home in a row. Which is good for me, and maybe good for the bank balance, although no doubt there will some as worry about the effect on the pitch. First class it looks at present, no complaints there. But does this help us? I don't know, I'm sure...
I can't not mention the misfortune of our big friends over the river on Saturday, sort of spoiled the goal difference didn't it? But they were getting a bit boring, all those goalless draws, not what the Roker faithful have been brought up on over the years, ups and downs, ups and downs, almost certain now to beat the Arsenal next week I reckon. And in a weekend when Premier league refs appeared to be following new instructions on giving penalties left, right and centre, you could almost guarantee that Sunderland would see the most obvious one of the lot turned down...
And finally, I note that our opponents in the next round of the Vase have changed managers, on the day of a 4-0 win, and despite going well in the league, looks like they are keen...