Stray Mackem

He has, they're just keeping a safe distance.

Presumably this is a reference to him not being picked for England. Some of us are quite pleased he's not in the England squad. After years of seeing players from the 'top clubs' being picked, regardless of form, I gave up watching my national team. If Defoe played for Man U and Rashford was playing for us, Jermain would be with England and Rashford would be on his jollies.

Has it even crossed your mind you may not come straight back up? No

Has it even crossed your mind you may not come straight back up? It seems a bizarre stance to take. I mean to think there isn't even a slim chance of not coming back up? If it were me and we got Benitez in the Championship I'd be absolutely delighted, but I'm confident I wouldn't be absolutely certain we'd come straight back up. At least it's brought my Mag mates on Facebook out of their shells, they've been quiet for a few days. It's going to be an interesting season either way.

I'm on the ducking stool

We'll see. I'm probably wrong but it's foolish to think that you'll go straight back up.

Seething mate I didn't say I don't post on PF, just very rarely.

I always am, and if I could stop supporting Sunderland I f**king would But I convince myself that next season will be better....one of these days I'll be right.

He's done it before, with some success.

I think you need to check the thread title and who mentioned Newcastle and Benitez first.

He did yes, but it's not the English Championship in 2016. The teams in our second tier, and the money they have, bears no resemblance to the Spanish Segunda Division. Look he may do amazingly, I don't know, and I can see why Newcastle fans are chuffed, but it's not a given that he'll bring you straight back up.

Not at all. I'm saying exactly what I typed. Benitez is completely untried at that level. We'll see.

The rest of the world seem to disagree. My first post was a response to someone saying it'll be great for you lot winning games in the Championship while we struggle in the Premier League. I can assure you I'd much rather be in the top flight, although I have enjoyed our spells in the second tier. We now have Mourinho and Guardiola and who knows which players they'll bring with them. Ibrahimovic is already rumoured to be on his way, and my 12 year old son is absolutely buzzing about it and I'm sure there'll be more big names on their way.

I'm rattled

Highest quality as in any team can beat any other on their day. It doesn't happen in La Liga as a rule. Don't get me wrong Barca and Real are amazing teams, and what Athletico have done is fantastic, but by God it's dreadful to watch most of the time. I, and the rest of the world, would rather watch the Premier League.

Two or three clubs yes. You'll never get a Leicester in La Liga. It's an awful league to watch, which is shown by it's worldwide audience compared to the Premier League. Our top division is the best in the world as a spectacle.

OK

Yep. The most watched league in the world. La Liga has the best players, but their product is generally poor because of the way Barca and Real Madrid take most of the cash.

That's why the TV rights for The Premier League dwarf those of La Liga, because La Liga is the best league in the world? It's not my opinion that the Premier League is the best league on the planet, it's the world's football fans.

I'm sure most Sunderland fans will be gutted knowing you lot are winning Championship games while we're facing teams in the best league in the world.

You reckon? I'd wait until at least Christmas before making a statement like that. I may be wrong, Benitez might be a class Championship manager, but he's untested in a division like that and to suppose that you'll not only come straight back up but he'll then get you into Europe is slightly delusional.

I quite like it here. I do go on SMB, but tend to stay away from the Pure Football section most of the time, preferring the other forums. I don't know what you mean by totally embarrassing. Do you think I should be ashamed of the behaviour of people I have no control over?

The reason you've struggled is obvious, but he's still there. If I were a Newcastle fan I'd never be confident with him at the helm. Keegan on Ashley 6 years ago http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-will-never-flourish-under-ashley-claims-keegan-2156729.html

I don't know about street parties but I'll be more than happy with 12th for now. By the way Newcastle's finishing positions over the last 10 years aren't anything to shout about either, especially as there are two relegations in there. Yes your expectations may be higher than ours because you have a better PL history, but I wouldn't raise them too high if the last decade is anything to go by.