Sunderland look for a Dream result

Thursday, 03/11/2011

by Stephen Maddison, Shoot's Sunderland blogger

Now, days after our home draw with Aston Villa, I am starting to feel more content with the result as apposed to my initial reaction of disappointment.

It is evident that Villa aren’t the force of old when they were under Martin O’Neill, so much so that I think any Premier League club will see a home fixture against them as a more than optimistic chance of claiming three points.

However, when Stiliyan Petrov pings one in with his left peg from 25-yards you start to feel this may not be your day.

Having said that, although we put a lot of good first half possession to waste, I can’t be too disheartened managing to salvage a draw after going behind so late in the game; mainly down to another inspired performance by Stephane Sessegnon.

Either way, I think I speak on behalf of every Sunderland fan when the most satisfying moment in the game was seeing Darren Bent exquisitely place his six-yard shot against the outstretched legs of Kieran Westwood; the type of chance the Stadium of Light faithful had been so accustom to seeing hit the back of the net.

Nevertheless the lads are now unbeaten in two games (genuinely something to be cheerful about given the start we’ve had) and up next is the small task of a visit to the Theatre of Dreams; Manchester United.

It was just over a year ago when United were on the receiving end of a 0-0 mullering at the Stadium of Light, Sir Alex Ferguson stated that ‘Sunderland are the best side we have played all season’. Oh what any Sunderland fan would give for Sir Alex to be repeating these words come Saturday evening.

Of course it won’t come as a surprise that we shall be written off before the whistle even blows, although in recent times we haven’t endured that much of a torrid experience at Old Trafford (conceding six goals in our last four visits, including two narrow 1-0 defeats and a 2-2 draw). A lot of fans may see it as a damage limitation exercise, and realistically it is unlikely we are going to come away with anything.

One thing I am certain of is that we will go with an attacking mentality, just like we did at Arsenal and most notably like we did in our 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge last season. After all, it is Man Utd’s first game at home since their 6-0 drubbing by Man City, so why not have a go and see how they respond?

Whatever the outcome, anyone associated with the club will agree our main focus should be the home fixtures against Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn as well as an away fixture against Wolves that occupy our next 4 matches. All of which provide a real chance for us to accumulate some much-needed points and start climbing the table.

Yet I suppose a victory at Old Trafford wouldn’t go a miss- no pressure lads.

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