THERE must be something about The Hawthorns being a happy hunting ground for unlikely Sunderland match-winners.
Last season, it was Dennis Cirkin who popped up with two goals to send Sunderland home with a vital three points on their way to finishing sixth in the Championship – and, on Saturday, it was the turn of Pierre Ekwah to have the golden touch as his first-half stoppage-time half-volley proved to be the difference.
I’m not one to blow my own trumpet, but I had predicted an away win on Wise Men Say’s preview show during the week. West Bromwich Albion have all but sealed their place in the Championship play-offs, and are unlikely to overtake fourth-placed Southampton before the end of the season.
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Carlos Corberan’s side can only play one way – with intensity – and with their season pretty much decided I believed this was an opportunity for a Sunderland side desperate to end their season on a high after such a terrible run of results.
Five points from a possible nine since the Blackburn thrashing is actually a decent return, especially when two of the three teams we have taken points from occupy positions in the top six of the division.
Of course, playing the top sides in the league has not been the issue for us – it has been the sides in the bottom half where we’ve struggled. It’s another item on a long list of issues that we need to rectify to stand any chance of promotion next season.
It’s important to finish the season on a high. A week ago, I said Sunderland’s season was in limp mode, but the result against Leeds United and West Brom on Saturday shows there is some life there. And that has to be a positive thing.
It’s fair to say the mood around the fanbase has been quite low before now. Results haven’t been great and performances likewise. It has been a bit of a slog going to games recently – and what happens on the pitch is the only thing that will change that mood.
Wins like the one at The Hawthorns are a massive step in the right direction.
WHILE matters on the pitch are of utmost importance, what the club does off it does make a massive difference too.
The announcement on Friday that Hummel will become the club’s kit supplier next season has gone down extremely well with supporters.
With the current kit deal with Nike being managed via Spennymoor-based Just Sport, who also own the Avec brand, the club have had first-hand experience that nostalgia sells well.
Avec supplied our kits between 1994 and 1997 which was a formative time for many Sunderland supporters of a certain vintage – this writer included – and the return of the Avec logo to official club merchandise was a welcome one.
Hummel, who for many supporters was THE iconic brand alongside the Vaux brewery logo on the shirt, unlocks a whole decade of memories for a generation of Sunderland fans and the decision to bring that back for next season’s shirts is bound to be a popular move.
The most important thing is availability. There were no stock issues with the Avec retro range, unlike the supply problems we saw with the official replica kits.
If Hummel and Sunderland can get the new kits into the shops as soon as possible, they’ll be on to a winner. Furthermore, they need to be made available from outside of the club shop network. For the last 15 years, Sunderland kits have only been available from official channels.
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For whatever reason, it’s easier to buy a Newcastle shirt in Sunderland city centre than it is to buy a Sunderland shirt.
You see more retro kits around the city than you do the official merchandise, and that’s a load of revenue the club is missing out on. Bringing Hummel back could well be a master-stroke.
Availability is key. If they nail that, they will have a best-seller on their hands.
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