ExiledGeordie

We've at least made Sunderland question things a bit now. A few games ago we were dead and buried and they were seemingly coasting to survival. Now they know they have a scrap on right to the finish and that's a big factor.

Yeah I think if we beat Villa and they don't beat Chelsea then the pressure really is on them.

Genuine chance of staying up now though. All to play for

Unbelievable shite from sky pundits, lol

Fairly confident we'll beat Palace. St James will be rocking.

He does seem to have built a connection with the fans in the short time he's been here and identifies with the area. I guess if they handed control over and he knew he could get players in who almost ensured promotion then there's a chance.

So do people think there is a chance that he could stay on even if we are relegated?

Stoke on the beach already unfortunately

Absolute shite, need him out ASAP

Would YOU employ an office boy to run a multi-million pound outfit which relies on his know-how to keep them successful..? It's ridiculous isn't it. Shows what an utter arrogant fuckwit Ashley is. Until he leaves nothing will EVER happen at the club

Ashley says in his latest interview he has zero impact on the club and employs this fuckwit to run the club. Charnleys tenure has been nothing more than an unmitigated disaster.

No chance we're staying up. Club needs to start again completely and hopefully at some point we'll be Ashley free.

De Jong is a good shout as we just haven't been able to create anything recently.

What an odious shit

Not the greatest performance but a defeat would've meant almost certain relegation. The mood would've co pletely nosedived again. There's still a glimmer of hope left, the players still have something to chase. At least Rafa has two weeks to work with the players before Norwich away.

We'll have a pretty good idea after the next two games

He needs to find some form if we're to stay up

Season in season out he fails to address the key areas that actually won him the title years ago. A solid defence and bruising midfield that can mix it up as well as dazzle. Giroud isn't title winning material either but if their midfield and defence was tougher and they had more leaders it might not matter. Mertesacker in central defence ffs? Lol Roy Keane said Arsenal players were more interested in "6 packs and selfies" than winning, ha. Maybe a bit harsh but I agree with him that there isn't enough character or substance there. Leciester winning the league (or Spurs) would be the ultimate insult this season.

A win against the Mackems would set everything up nicely. There's winnable games left and the positive impact of Benitez can't be underestimated. After watching City yesterday that gives me confidence that we can win our game in hand against them. I'm probably at a 7/8 but if we draw tomorrow night and beat the Mackems I think we'll stay up because the momentum will really build.

Townsend? I guess only if absolutely 100% fit. Be better to start Perez and make sure Townsend is ready for the final games rather than risk him.

We can beat city at home with a roaring atmosphere given how they look at the moment

Ashley already has changed, we've spent just under £80 million in a year and we've appointed our first manager on merit since Keegan came in. As for sexy football, who gives a s***? Surely the only thing we need is effective football and I'm sure we now have a very good chance of seeing that. It's exactly the type of appointment we needed, I just wish he'd come in earlier at Christmas or after Chelsea. A solid performance at Leicester and beating the Mackems will go a long way to get the momentum swinging. Our game in hand v City with a rocking St James could be a corker too. Interested to see who he plays and how he sets us up.

The problem with Moyes or any decent manager with credibility is that they'll want control and Ashley just hasn't been prepared to offer/allow that. It'd take a sea change in attitude for this to happen but I guess the risk of missing out on over a 100m of tv money next season may swing it (finally).

He's been an unmitigated disaster and his position is untenable but it would be classic for us to "stick with him" ffs because the club as a whole is a car crash.

I am. If you get someone like Pearson in I'd be worried. McClaren IN!