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With West Ham in flying form away from home this season and Sunderland currently the worst of two very poor Northeast teams, it would be easy to think of this as a straight forward 3 points for The Hammers.
This week we get the pre match views of Brian Mason and Peter Anderson, both Season Ticket Holders at The Stadium of Light.
A narrow escape from relegation last season and a poor start this. What is going wrong?
Brian - It’s the players we need to start playing for the team and the fans.
Peter - I don't think it is any one single thing, it rarely is when clubs are in trouble. But for me it starts at the top with a real lack of investment, which means squad just isn't good enough.
There have been a number of people, most notably Micky Gray, blame Ellis Short for the clubs predicament. What’s your view?
Brian - Its not ellis fault it’s the fact we carnt attct big players to the club has we r always in a relagation battle
Peter - Micky Gray was spot on and it was nice to hear someone in the media stick up for us rather than the usual tongue up the zebras arses.
This is an article from 2013 about Sunderland http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/articles/the-secret-footballer/13468/black-cats-on-the-booze/ With nothing seeming to have changed, do you feel a relegation might be a good thing in the long run, clearing out players, focusing owners mind etc?
Brian - yes because we have loads of dead wood from the top to the bottem but we shouldn’t be in a relegation battle every year
Peter - I've heard a few suggest similar but they seem to forget that next year the TV money goes up massively so staying in the prem is vital. I hate that football is all about money now, but the sorry fact is that it is. If we went down this season i'd seriously worry. Lots of big teams have gone down and struggled to return.
How do you account for the fact that you get gates big enough to equate to at least a regular mid table position but seem to struggle most seasons? (Comma)
Brian - because when ya carnt score goals u don’t win games
Peter - Loyal fans that don't turn pour back on a great club even when the going gets tough.
Di Canio seemed to do ok in his first season, but was then sacked after a poor start of 6 or 7 games. Seeing as you never seem to win any of your first 6 or 7 games every season, do you think he should have been given more time? (Kearly)
Brian - I think he was a good manager n I liked him but it’s the fact the lost the changing room n that’s not good.
Peter - I liked him and was happy with the appointment and as you say kept us up so thought he should have been given more time. However something clearly wasn't right at the club and he lost the dressing room. With hindsight it may well have been everyone else in the dressing room that should have been sacked as nothing has improved but that never happens, it's easier to get rid of the manager.
Sleeping Giant is a term often associated with teams from the Northeast. How long do giants sleep for before they can be pronounced clinically dead?
Brian - Hopefully not for long left hope we can attack soon
Peter - Haha, better to be a sleeping giant than a minnow pretending it can mix it with the big boys.
Who are the any current players in your squad who you deem worthy of actually wearing the kit (Grumpster)
Brian - most of the players give 100% we need to get the best off of the rest of them asap.
Peter - O'Shea is a good professional, Cattermole always gives his all and other teams hate him so that's always a plus. I don't have a problem with too many players for lack of effort, it's not their fault they lack quality. If I was asked to play for us I would and i'm shit! it would be the people who thought I was good enough that deserve the stick.
Which West Ham player would you like see play for you?
Brian - Mark noble becase he is a leader in midfield.
Peter - It pains me to say it but looking at squad for squad i'd want quite a lot of yours. Reid, Kouyate, Song of course Payet. If not him then Valencia. I know he is injured at the moment but I think he is a class player. As long as you don't throw Carroll in I don't care!
Last week we played Norwich and their fan suggested we ask you: Are you a fan of Big Dick? Is he the man to steer you clear of the drop this season?
Brian - I think he can if she can get the best out of the players but he need to chance formaition has we carnt play a 433
Peter - Yes I like Mr Advo(black)caat, but now I don't think he is the man to steer us clear. I really feel for him, he was excellent in keeping us up but he wasn't given the funds he was promised and he clearly didn't want to stay, he is honourable for sticking around but I don't think he can steer us clear. My worry is, I don't know who can unless we have an amazing Jan window.
Next we play Crystal Palace – what question do you think we should ask their fan… if we can find one able to read and spell.
Brian - How do you feel about the price they payed for conner wickem
Peter - No question, just thank them for showing the Geordie twats up by showing Pardew is a decent manager. Maybe he just needed a decent fan base to work for!
What are your thoughts on West Ham, both in general and so far this season?
Brian - They play great football n bilic Is a fantastic manager n will do really well top 7
Peter - In general I don't really think about you. No offence but you're over shadowed by bigger London clubs most of whom I hate, but with you there is not much to hate. As for this season I think you had a great transfer window and are over achieving due to some freak away results... which ends this weekend. You'll be comfortable mid table by end of season though. Oh and Bilic comes across well in the interviews I've seen.
Do you regret leaving Roker Park and moving to that soulless bowl that nicked the name of its stadium off Benfica? (subcutaneous)
Brian - we needed the bigger stadium as roker was a small stadium
Peter - Yes and no. I love the history of the club and I loved Roker Park, but it was just too small. My preference would have been to rebuild on the same site, but that's modern football for you. Still at least we own it ay?
Who do you think the other team will be that goes down with you and Newcastle?
Brian - I think we will survive we just need to win our 1st game n I hope Newcastle villa n Watford
Peter - I won't give up hope of surviving. We looked like we were down last year and we survived and that was with less games to go, it's a long season., you might still get dragged into it ;-). Of course I'd love the Northerners to finish bottom and from what I've seen so far I think this might be Villa's year to drop. Not sure of the 3rd, West Brom maybe. I think the 3 new teams will all survive.
How do you feel about the support Adam Johnson has got from your fans – and would you let him babysit? (Scouse Kid)
Brian - I think our fans r great to support adam Johnson because they way I see it he hasmt been found guily yet n until proven guily he hasn’t done it
Peter - Innocent until proven guilty, he'll be supported until we know otherwise, just how it should be.
Assuming ‘Big Dick’ has enough and walks, who would you want realistically as your next manager and would you be happy with Sam Allardyce?
Brian - Ye I would have big sam is a good manager n he will probs get the bet out of most players
Peter - I get why you ask the question, but right this minute, yes i'd take Allardyce as this season is all about surviving and i'd take his 'style' as he'd battle to keep us up. Going forward no, of course I wouldn't want to watch that every week. Realistically we'd struggle to get anyone of note in our situation, however if we survive and get that pot of gold who knows who we could attract or who would be available. entice Moyes back, or see if Bilic wants a step up :)
What is your favourite chant/song your fans sing?
Brian - Its got to be the Newcastle 1 when we won the 5th game in a row n we sand u sing 5.1 we sing 5 in a row
Peter - My favourite ones are from some time ago.To the tune of Daydream Believer
Cheer up Peter Reid,
oh what can it mean,
to a Sunderland supporter,
to be top of the league
What is your favourite flavour Crisp?
Brian - Its got to be cheese n oinion
Peter - Salt n Vinegar Discos
Score prediction?
Brian - I am going for a cheecky 2-1
Peter - a hard fought 1-0
Our thanks to Brian and Peter for answering this weeks questions.
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