Just over five years ago.

[jaraarrow]

I remember i have never felt as low as a sunderland supporter than i did on this night.



Niall Quinn could never have imagined that it was possible for football to subject him to such humiliation. Not even Arnau Riera's early sending off could excuse another listless Sunderland performance that saw Bury, bottom of the Football League and without a point this season, inflict a fifth successive defeat on the hapless Championship side. Late goals from John Fitzgerald, who received a second yellow card for his over zealous celebration, and Andy Bishop, gave Bury a victory that left Sunderland supporters bristling with anger at the final whistle.

Their mood had already been darkened by the news that their former striker Kevin Phillips had turned down the opportunity to return in favour of joining West Bromwich Albion for £700,000, although the outcome here was a much greater cause for concern. Enraged fans lined the hoardings behind the goal to vent their frustration as chants of "What a load of rubbish" rang around Bury's ramshackle stadium. Quinn, surely questioning the wisdom of his decision to take over, stood motionless on the touchline.

The Sunderland chairman can only hope that he is able to deliver on his promise to have a "world-class manager" in place as soon as possible. Quinn claimed it is "70/30" he will make an appointment in time for Monday's match at home against Albion. That would allow the former Republic of Ireland forward to revert to the chairman's role he envisaged occupying when his consortium took control in the summer. "We weren't able to appoint a manager four weeks ago," said Quinn, "so I stepped into the breach to try and help but obviously it's not been successful.

"I cannot legislate for the things happening at this moment. I stepped into this role because I didn't think we got the quality of [applicant] I thought we would. I would now say we are very close to doing that. I cannot name the manager but we think we have somebody who will give the players the real lift they need, and we will give him the budget he deserves." It will need to be a considerable kitty on the evidence of last night even allowing for the arrival of the Senegal forward Moussa N'Diaye, French striker William Mocquet and Sweden's Tobias Hysen.

Those new faces will come into a squad desperately short of confidence and heading for League One on current form. This was a full-strength Sunderland side that showed only one change from the weekend. Not that Riera will want to recall his full debut. The Spaniard was dismissed in the third minute and Sunderland never recovered. Fitzgerald's glancing header with six minutes remaining provided the platform for a victory sealed by Bishop. Sunderland's misery was complete.



I am not saying it doesnt give us the right to moan now but if anyone can remember that night then it kind of puts everything into perspective doesnt it?.

[Bear]

Yawn

[kingmonkey]

Now we're all having hissy fits because we might pay over the odds for and England Striker

[DublinMackem]

Fair point, actually.

[Gideon Gungeon]

aye mate but we're living in the now not the then and i heard the climates different

[Wise Man Says]

Aye, we all remember those dark nights (that night was truly awful) but it doesn't mean we can't make legitimate criticisms now.

[Raich Carter]

Originally Posted by jaraarrow

I remember i have never felt as low as a sunderland supporter than i did on this night.



Niall Quinn could never have imagined that it was possible for football to subject him to such humiliation. Not even Arnau Riera's early sending off could excuse another listless Sunderland performance that saw Bury, bottom of the Football League and without a point this season, inflict a fifth successive defeat on the hapless Championship side. Late goals from John Fitzgerald, who received a second yellow card for his over zealous celebration, and Andy Bishop, gave Bury a victory that left Sunderland supporters bristling with anger at the final whistle.

Their mood had already been darkened by the news that their former striker Kevin Phillips had turned down the opportunity to return in favour of joining West Bromwich Albion for £700,000, although the outcome here was a much greater cause for concern. Enraged fans lined the hoardings behind the goal to vent their frustration as chants of "What a load of rubbish" rang around Bury's ramshackle stadium. Quinn, surely questioning the wisdom of his decision to take over, stood motionless on the touchline.

The Sunderland chairman can only hope that he is able to deliver on his promise to have a "world-class manager" in place as soon as possible. Quinn claimed it is "70/30" he will make an appointment in time for Monday's match at home against Albion. That would allow the former Republic of Ireland forward to revert to the chairman's role he envisaged occupying when his consortium took control in the summer. "We weren't able to appoint a manager four weeks ago," said Quinn, "so I stepped into the breach to try and help but obviously it's not been successful.

"I cannot legislate for the things happening at this moment. I stepped into this role because I didn't think we got the quality of [applicant] I thought we would. I would now say we are very close to doing that. I cannot name the manager but we think we have somebody who will give the players the real lift they need, and we will give him the budget he deserves." It will need to be a considerable kitty on the evidence of last night even allowing for the arrival of the Senegal forward Moussa N'Diaye, French striker William Mocquet and Sweden's Tobias Hysen.

Those new faces will come into a squad desperately short of confidence and heading for League One on current form. This was a full-strength Sunderland side that showed only one change from the weekend. Not that Riera will want to recall his full debut. The Spaniard was dismissed in the third minute and Sunderland never recovered. Fitzgerald's glancing header with six minutes remaining provided the platform for a victory sealed by Bishop. Sunderland's misery was complete.



I am not saying it doesnt give us the right to moan now but if anyone can remember that night then it kind of puts everything into perspective doesnt it?.

who?

[SAFCOldie]

Originally Posted by kingmonkey

Now we're all having hissy fits because we might pay over the odds for and England Striker

When you put it like that all you can do is

[jaraarrow]

Originally Posted by Wise Man Says

Aye, we all remember those dark nights (that night was truly awful) but it doesn't mean we can't make legitimate criticisms now.

I did make that point.

[Mr.Thunders]

Remember how I felt after Plymouth at home, really thought we were in the shit.
Threw my season ticket against the wall when I came in and my wife was a bit miffed.