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Roker Report

Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!

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Sunderland’s European Dream – Jealousy and Ambition

In the aftermath of our latest outstanding victory over our self-aggrandising neighbours from Tyneside, the anticipated bitter retorts have been as tedious as they are predictable. “Yas have neva won a trophy,” “yas divvent even have an airport”, and, of course, “yas have neva played in Yoorap (sic).” The list goes on. The first two […]

“On A Red And White Tide, We Stormed The Visitors’ Fortress”

As a football fan, sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back when viewing a truly epic result in all its majesty. Like a piece of classic Hollywood cinema, what you perhaps didn’t initially appreciate by way of character nuances, plot twists or iconic images often only becomes clear on second, third, fourth or fifth […]

On This Day (1st April 1995): The Jarra Arra Late Show!

Bob Murray had taken a bold gamble appointing Peter Reid to the Sunderland hot-seat. Peter Reid himself took a bold step in accepting a job considered to be one of the most insecure in football at that time. His brief was simple: he had seven games to keep Sunderland in the second division. Two days […]

Sunderland’s Loss, Someone Else’s Gain As David Bruce Departs

I’ve had just over twenty-four hours to digest the news that the club have decided to part ways with Chief Business Officer David Bruce, and despite trying my best to convince myself that the club have taken this decision for the right reasons, I have to admit that I’m struggling to find the logic in […]

On This Day (31st March 1995): Peter Reid’s Gamble – Steering Sunderland to Safety

Following a defeat at Barnsley on 24 March that further exacerbated our perilous situation in the division, Bob Murray stepped back up to the Chairman’s role. His first decision publicly back at the helm of the beleaguered ship was to replace Mick Buxton as manager. Depending on which version of events you read, vice-chairman Graham […]

Lasses Spotlight: “Pocketed By Paxton!”

Chloe Paxton’s name has been floating around the Sunderland senior setup for months; a quiet presence in training, a young player absorbing everything, learning the pace, the physicality, the demands of senior football albeit without being handed the chance to show what she could do. Every time the squad list came out, you could sense […]

Is It The Right Call For Sunderland To Move On From David Bruce?

Lee Morrison says… Without much context, aside from the statement itself, it’s really disappointing news. We all know that one of Regis Le Bris’ favourite words is “synergy” and this is something that David Bruce has been able to provide between the football club and the fans. Prior to Bruce’s arrival, we really struggled as […]

Sunderland’s Evolved Model – 43 Points and Rising

This season has been one of the most remarkable in my many decades of supporting Sunderland AFC. We have been competitive in almost every game, have beaten some of the top teams and also Newcastle, so the transition from last season in the Championship to today in the Premier League has been truly remarkable. We […]

Sunderland’s Unexpected European Chase – Thanks, Lads!

Being a Sunderland fan has tended to be something of a rollercoaster ride for most of the more than 50 years I have supported my hometown team. Pushing for promotion, flirting with relegation and, of course, the dreaded (until recently) play-offs have been the norm rather than the exception. The last comfortable end to a […]

Sunderland’s Travelling Blueprint Is Working!

Between October and March, Sunderland endured plenty of travel sickness; after Christmas in particular, we lost comfortably on several occasions without ever really laying a glove on our hosts. Our poor run on the road was never a real cause for concern — although the 3-1 loss to West Ham in January was abysmal on […]

Four Iconic Sunderland Moments — But Which Was The Greatest?

How much euphoria can one fanbase take in less than a year? Quite a lot, as it turns out, and after a dramatic latest edition of the Wear-Tyne derby, what was once a trio of unforgettable Sunderland moments is now a quartet — the likes of which we’ll doubtless look back on with increasing fondness […]

Editorial: Whatever Happens Next, Don’t Forget Our Success This Season!

What a time for an extended international break. Anyone who regularly listens to the podcast will no doubt have been bored of me banging on about how crap international breaks are – but not on this occasion. Safe in the knowledge that our performance couldn’t be dented or diluted by the next fixture for three […]

NFL

Lasses Match Report: Honours Even At The Stadium Of Light!

The walk up to the Stadium of Light felt different. Well, it was different as I crossed over the Keel Crossing for the first time — but the game carried a weight that settled into people’s steps and conversations, a sense that this wasn’t just another fixture on a long calendar. The men had done […]

Derby Day Preview: Haway The Lasses!

Games like today cannot be understated. The passion, the raw undiluted energy and the cacophony of noise that erupts from the stands of Derby are like none other. Whilst this may not be men’s football, the animosity, hatred and vitriol between Sunderland Women and Newcastle Women is just as palpable as it is with the […]

Where Might Sunderland Look To Strengthen In The Summer?

Ben McKevitt says… There are a lot of bases to cover in terms of recruitment. Of course, we primarily look at the incomings but due to the position of the club right now and the way we want to operate, there’ll also be a lot of noise around outgoings this summer. The club did an […]

One Week On… And I’m Still Buzzing!

It’s been one week since Sunderland beat Newcastle, and what a week it has been. I’m not really sure when the buzz will end, but I still haven’t gotten bored with watching all the content surrounding the game. The highlights, the goals, the fan footage, the crying mags… It’s all still absolutely brilliant. I suppose […]