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Roker Report

Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!

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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 […]

Haway The Podcast | NEWS ROUNDUP | Le Bris, Mayenda, Xhaka, Ronaldinho, & Farage

Good morning! Because we’re in the thick of the international break we’ve got no Sunderland match today (boo….), Gav and Andrew are joined by Connor Bromley to mull over all the latest news in the world of Sunderland AFC, including… All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another […]

Sunderland In Europe: A Realistic Prospect?

Alex Charlton says… I grew up thinking that Sunderland would never play European football in my lifetime, so for this to even be a topic is astounding and a testament to how far this club has come over a short period of time. Are we ready for it? At this moment in time I would […]

MLS

We’ve Got Le Fée – I Just Don’t Think You Understand

Sunderland’s outstanding performance in their first season back in the Premier League has multiple components. Many of them revolve around the carefully curated crop of players who were signed after promotion from the Championship was secured. You can take your pick from a list which includes Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Omar Alderete, Reinildo, Noah Sadiki, […]

On This Day (27 March 1995): Sunderland Sack Mick Buxton!

Despite calming what appeared to be choppy waters for Sunderland AFC during the 1993/1994 season, Mick Buxton’s success in shoring up the defence and making the team difficult to beat would ultimately be his undoing the following season as his uninspiring style of play left many fans disillusioned with the direction of the team. Buxton’s […]

Where Does Sunday’s Derby Victory Rank Among The Most Iconic?

Ciaran McKenna says… In terms of derby victories, I’ve been rather spoilt; in fact, I was only three years of age the last time we tasted defeat in a clash against them. Despite that, the majority of our wins between 2011 and 2015 aren’t really stuck in my mind. Even though I’m sure I would’ve […]

Entitlement? Thy Name Is Newcastle United

The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they’re not even a very good team compared to us. We shouldn’t lose to them. Thus spoke Mr Anthony Gordon after Newcastle’s latest derby defeat. The red and white media has been full to the brim these past few days, featuring clips from the past made by Mags’ […]

The North East Remains Red And White!

Boos rang around St James’ Park shortly before 2:00pm as we triumphed on Tyneside once again. During the second half, the Lads were magnificent and overall, apart from a sloppy first fifteen minutes, we were by far the better team. With several first-team players out, our defence was patched up and after conceding early, it […]

“Thank You For The Days”

Just close your eyes and remember… Big Sam’s first home game in 2015. Jermain Defoe’s volley past Tim Krul. Niall Quinn’s equaliser; Eric Gates’ through ball and Marco Gabbiadini’s finish, Fabio Borini’s perfect penalty and George Holley’s hat trick.  A last-minute winner in 2014. Gary Rowell and Kevin Arnott deciding to “just take the piss”. […]

Luke O’Nien Epitomises Sunderland’s “Never-Say-Die” Team Spirit

He’s been here for eight years, making over four hundred appearances and finding himself being tested again and again, but always responding strongly and silencing the doubters in the process. However, it’s fair to say that when Luke O’Nien got into a muddle alongside Melker Ellborg during Sunday’s derby, with their moment of indecision leading […]

An Inflated Sense Of Self Fuels Sunderland’s Derby Dominance

“The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they’re not a very good team compared to us. We shouldn’t lose to them.” The words of the philosopher Claire Balding, sorry, Anthony Gordon, after Sunderland’s second win over his team in the space of four months. Which came, incidentally, four years after the now Richest Club In […]

On This Day (25th March 1966): Anton Rogan, Sunderland Cult Hero, Is Born

Anton Rogan is sixty years old today. Born in West Belfast in 1966, “Josh” was signed by Denis Smith in October 1991 from Scottish giants Celtic. His stay with us might have been short, but there was no shortage of talking points regarding a player who quickly developed a cult following at Roker Park. As […]

Brian Brobbey’s On My Mind

There’s that lad in every under-11 and under-12s team who has realised their physical peak before they venture into adulthood. The one that has the seasoned exterior of a middle-aged man: a beard, a bush, and the brute strength of some of the dads watching on from the touchline. Invariably, these lads will be outgrown […]

“Redemption Arc Complete” — Sunderland AFC Have Returned!

Being a Sunderland supporter on Tyneside is a little bit like the dekulakization of the Russian population under Stalin: essentially, people whom he considered a threat to the Soviet state needed to be dealt with accordingly, and were sent to Siberia. In this scenario, we are the peasants and Newcastle United fans are the OGPU, […]

Talking Tactics: Newcastle (A) — “Tyne And Wear Triumph!”

After ten long years, Sunderland travelled to St James’ Park for the first time since 2015/16 — which saw the game end honours even. Despite a clear tactical plan to exploit Newcastle’s intense press, news of a Sunderland injury crisis had home fans brimming with confidence — yet despite an early setback, the Lads were […]

Haway The Podcast | Q&A | The Lads Answer Your Derby Related Questions!

Are we bored of talking about Sunday yet you say?! Not a chance… and today the lads gather to answer you’re questions and comments on the game, the day and the reaction of that lot up the road! On today’s show… All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss […]