What was that, less than a month between the branding fiasco and now a player refusing to play.

For the diplomats among you then you may prefer 'asking not to be selected'. The more cynical in all matters Sunderland may simply view it as unsurprising. Another example, exposed for the public gallery, that reinforces the idea of a club that often labours in demonstrating to players who is bigger.

Alex Pritchard has every right to seek happiness, peace of mind and long term financial security. If any, or a fusion of all three, dictate a move is the best option then there are well established means in how to instigate the necessary changes. 

Often, at this point some would cite the elite of the game and how Pritchard is no superstar. Almost as if it could be justified if those who have casinos and cinemas adjacent to their living rooms were to do similar. Of course his reasoning may not be from the above.

Whatever has prompted a desire to part company in no way entitles a withdrawal of labour in such a fashion. There may be legal precedent in industry elsewhere but surely a veteran of the game can recognise there are moral and emotional considerations. 

Yes, the manager is still in the dock of public opinion and even if that is a source of angst Pritchard plays, in the first instance, for Sunderland AFC. The club, the city, support and people. It is they, even if indirectly, who have been slighted by someone in a position that you would always hope would know better.

And to Michael Beale... 

As darkness descended on Saturday evening it was difficult to detect the source of the noise that lingered in the air over Wearside. I instinctively thought of the biting winds of the North Sea, only to question myself that it could be a sigh emanating from the manager's office at the Stadium of Light.

While he will still see his charges as a work in progress there is little patience afforded in the pursuit of points. It was a win, an improved performance and an unfamiliar scoresheet, but he is still very much working on a week to week contract with the Sunderland support. 

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And so to a short journey down the A19, and a fixture that seems to be mooted as a derby game in Teesside much more than it is 25 miles north.

Wear-Tees has never tripped off the tongue as easily as Tyne and Wear. Even Tyne-Tees, synonymous with local broadcasting, has greater recognition despite the greater distance. 

I suppose many years ago the idea of Tyne, Wear and Tees was suggested in some corridor of power before concerns were raised about any such abbreviation and someone looking a..... 

If I can't see the point in a promotion of the game as a derby, then I can certainly sympathise. Growing up in Glasgow and then playing for Sunderland it is a strange concept for me to grapple with.

A deep allegiance to a football club being successful but without the added celebration of a near rival succumbing. Even thinking of it now is hard to fathom, where myriad emotions that come with the beautiful game are almost exclusively sourced to the fortunes of one team. Such is tribalism. 

I do, on occasion, get asked if it qualifies as a bona fide derby game. Generally from those beyond the region but who take interest in football culture. Being candid, I am inclined to answer affirmatively but with selfish interest at play.

The fact I played, and scored, against Middlesbrough allows me to justify in my own mind that it crosses the threshold, or satisfies whatever criteria is conceived, to fall into such a category. Joking aside, I tend to respond to the curious that it does have some tension but in my immediate environs there is only one rival, only one contest that matters and, well, let's just say some things are black and white. 

Nevertheless, whilst the proximity and history is unfavourable in comparison it is the next game and, as important, will be played between two sides still believing that the riches and exposure of the Premier League are not some distant proposition. A long term derby and rivalry with all the constituent parts - perhaps not - but two clubs as close in quality, and inconsistency, as they are geographically. 

For Sunderland it is a chance to build on the Stoke success and, temporarily at least, derail the hopes of a competitor. They go into local battle with a weekend win and unburdened with the tie being at home, see Stadium of Light games against Newcastle and Middlesbrough this season to illuminate that argument. 

In doing so, winning, they would propel themselves forward. It would allow Michael Beale to catch a breath and feel emboldened about what remains of the scheduled season. Both sides have stuttered over the season to date, often cited as a 'very good team on their day', the latter three words when affixed to a player or team an indication that consistency is not a forte of the subject. 

Mind you, there is ample history to illustrate that the proverbial latecomer, or those who have been on the play-off periphery, can often emerge as a spring success and grow through April showers before coming to bloom on the hallowed turf at Wembley towards the end of May.