Benjamin Franklin once wrote in a letter “Nothing in life is certain, except death and taxes.” If he had been around today he would have to rephrase the letter to read, “Nothing in life is certain, except death, taxes and the ALS/RTG end of season poll.” Here it is in its full glory are the results of that poll. Who has been good, who has been bad or who has just been plain Jason McAteer. It has taken a small army of six toed baboons working most mornings to compile the results, and as usual it starts with…
Best Player
1. Julio Arca, 69%
2. Gary Breen, 9%
3. Mart Poom, 6%
Worst Player
1. Jason McAteer, 18%
2. John Oster, 15%
3. Phil Babb, 13%
Young Player
1. Sean Thornton, 36%
2. George McCartney, 33%
3. Kevin Kyle, 11%
Most Improved Player
1. Kevin Kyle, 51%
2. George McCartney, 15%
3. John Oster, 13%
Favourite Player
1. Julio Arca, 56%
2. Mart Poom, 13%
3. Kevin Kyle, 11%
Least Favourite Player
1. John Oster, 24%
2. Phil Babb, 21%
3. Jason McAteer, 16%
Coolest Player
1. Julio Arca, 45%
2. Gary Breen, 13%
3. Sean Thornton, 11%
Hardest Player
1. Jeff Whitley, 45%
2. Kevin Kyle, 42%
3. Stephen Wright, 4%
Best Haircut
1. Matt Piper (with afro), 26%
2. Sean Thornton, 23%
3. Julio Arca, 10%
Best Signing
1. Gary Breen, 58%
2. Jeff Whitley, 14%
3. Tommy Smith, 8%
Worst Haircut
1. John Oster (with Alice band,) 36%
2. Sean Thornton, 22%
3. Matt Piper, 10%
Worst Signing
1. Kevin Cooper, 32%
2. Alan Quinn, 20%
3. Jeff Whitley, 10%
Goal of the Season
1. Arca v Bradford City (31st min – 30.08.03), 46%
2. Poom v Derby County (90th min – 20.09.03), 13%
3. Smith v Sheffield United (FA Cup – 15th min – 07.03.04), 11%
Fool of the Season
1. Jason McAteer, 36%
2. Jeff Whitley, 20%
3. Bob Murray, 8%
Player of the Season
1. Julio Arca, 60%
2. Kevin Kyle, 17%
3. Gary Breen, 14%
Realistic/Free Targets
1. Dean Ashton, 17%
2. Robbie Blake, 14%
3. Steven Caldwell, 9%
Marks out of 10 for the Board
5.5
Marks out of 10 for the manager
8.4
Most positive aspect of the season
After the efforts of the previous season and the first two games of this one, it was doubtful to many whether there would be any positives to report this season. But after saying that, the biggest positive to come out this season was the return of the team spirit (28%) that has been missing for so long and a team that actually wants to play in the Sunderland stripes again. The next to put a smile back on the faces of the fans was the FA Cup run and reaching the play-off semi finals (21%). Finally, after nearly gaining the record for losing the most games in a row, winning games again (17%) was a welcome relief and was the third most positive aspect to come out of the 2003/04 season.
Least positive aspect of the season
Whereas, reaching the FA Cup and Play-off Semi Finals were a positive aspect, they also turned out to be one of the least positives of the season (25%), since we ended up losing both. How can we lose to little iddy biddy teams, or give away a lead when we were clearly the better side (21%)?, was a familiar cry. Finally, one of the most painful episodes of the season. Losing to Millwall (home). Losing to Millwall (away). Losing to Millwall (FA Cup Semi Final) (16%).
Change one thing for next season. What is it?
Bigger crowds (24%), to fill the stadium again and bring back the atmosphere that has been missing for the last few seasons, was top of the wish list. Obviously, a change in Division (18%), from Division 1 (or can of pop league next season) to the Premiership would be welcome. And, more quality strikers (15%), to score goals at home for the supporters and away for the points.
Season ticket this season
Yes 57%
No 34%
Maybe 9%
Season ticket last season
Yes 57%
No 43%
Are you satisfied with our league position this season?
Yes 85%
No 15%
Which part of the club needs most attention?
It’s true that everyone has opinions and nobody has more opinions than those who responded to this poll. Top of the stack came the playing staff (22%). No one single person seemed to be addressed, but most people just lumped them altogether. The second biggest gripe was with the finances available for team strengthening (18%). Many people blamed the board and in particular Bob Murray, in particular the failure to buy Jon Stead. It was generally felt that the midfield was the one area on the pitch that was most in need of attention (16%). With fans seeing the left side of the midfield as the gap that needs filling the most.
What does the future hold for SAFC next season?
Until a certain day in May, many of the replies to this question comprised of a Premiership relegation battle or Premiership survival, just, prediction. After that day, many of these replies thought that promotion, whether automatic or 2nd place was a more likely bet for next season (32%). Others thought that playoffs were a more likely route (15%), although ever-optimistic fans predict that Sunderland will be Division 1 (Coca-Cola Football League Championship) Champions for the 2004/05 season (11%).
Well, that’s the end of another season and another poll. With a season that started off threatening to deliver so little, but ended up promising so much, lets hope that the season ahead delivers on all its promises. With a big thanks to everyone who filled out the poll, from all corners of the globe including: Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, England, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Germany, Guernsey, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Scotland, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the United States of America (both East, West and Gulf coasts and all points in between) and Wales.