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reserve match against Wigan successfully and I suspect that despite Keano’s statements to the contrary, we may well see him appear as a sub on Saturday. Seeing Kenwyne somersaulting after scoring for us is truly a thing of joy and wonderment. The pantomime season will shortly be with us and if Kenwyne is to be our Prince Charming, the role of the evil wizard Askanaza on Saturday could not be better filled than by Joey Barton with Joe Kinnear and Mike Ashley as the Ugly Sisters and Dennis Wise as the rear end of a horse. Michael Owen will star as the novelty act the Incredible Disappearing Man. Well, just two days to go...
It’s Friday teatime and the panel in the Echo are all confident about a Sunderland victory. I wouldn’t argue with that and I’m sure we’ll play 4-4-2 with Cisse and Chopra upfront. I fancy Chops to score but I think we’ll probably concede a goal so I’m going for a 2-1 scoreline at this point.
Saturday morning 10 a.m. My Mam’s mate from Derby is staying with us and she was most pleased to see me emerge this morning in my Sunderland shirt. She’d never seen one before and said, “It suits you, Ian” which was an unusual way of looking at it. I’m just about to get some pie, peas and chips down my neck and then it’s off for a pre- match beverage. I was at Roker Park in 1980 the last time we beat them and 2-1 is still feeling right at this stage.
After a leisurely cider in Fitzgerald’s and a link-up with two friends we headed across the bridge in the thick of a very lively throng. Chants were breaking out all along the
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