James Hunter

Sunderland

Sunderland AFC columnist for @WeAreSunlun . Formerly SAFC writer for the Chronicle, Journal, and Sunday Sun, from 1999-2024. These views belong to me, though

Articles

Time for Sunderland to rewrite Coventry record in play-offs

1 week ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Luke O'Nien tries to win a header against Coventry (Image: Ian Horrocks) THE play-offs are here, and for Sunderland that means a semi-final against Coventry City. Going into the final day of the regular season there were five potential semi-final opponents for the Black Cats but only one nemesis. Be honest - it felt inevitable, didn’t it?
I can understand Sunderland anxiety - but here is the hope and inspiration...

2 weeks ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Patrick Roberts and Sunderland's players applaud the fans at Oxford (Image: Ian Horrocks) If you’re a Sunderland fan and a die-hard believer in momentum, even the mere thought of the play-offs will be enough to make you break out in a cold sweat. The Black Cats’ frankly dire form in the run-in - four straight defeats, five winless games, and just four goals scored in nine matches - means they have built anti-momentum, if such a thing exists.
This is who I want Sunderland to face in the play-offs - and why

3 weeks ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland have two games to play before the Championship play-offs (Image: Ian Horrocks) With Sunderland now guaranteed a fourth-placed finish, all eyes will be on the potential opposition over the next eight days. The Black Cats booked their place in the play-offs weeks ago, secured fourth spot - and with it home advantage in the second leg of the semi-final - on Easter Monday, and all that is now left to settle is who will stand between them and a trip to another Wembley final.
Sunderland situation has changed and departing star can achieve something special

1 month ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland's Tommy Watson in action at Norwich (Image: Ian Horrocks) And … relax. For now, at any rate. Sunderland’s goalless stalemate at Norwich City in midweek was not much to write home about in terms of a spectacle, but it did at least deliver the point which - in conjunction with other results - secured a play-off spot.
Both Tommy Watson and Regis Le Bris will be under scrutiny in the coming weeks

1 month ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland's Tommy Watson (Image: Richard Sellers) ‘Tommy Watson, he’s one of our own,’ went the battle cry as Sunderland fans saluted their latest homegrown hero. It wasn’t that long ago - early December, as it happens - that Watson was feted by the Roker End as he scored both goals in a 2-1 win against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.
A seed of Sunderland doubt has been planted - a reaction is needed

1 month ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland were heavily beaten at Coventry last time out (Image: Bradley Collyer) After that non-performance at Coventry City, the international break came as sweet relief. Sunderland fans probably needed the opportunity to lie down in a darkened room for a fortnight. But, wakey wakey, it’s back to business this weekend. And, just like that, we are into the home straight.
Transfer vultures are circling and Sunderland attention is unwelcome & unsettling

1 month ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland duo Jobe Bellingham and Romaine Mundle (Image: Ian Horrocks) As Sunderland’s hopes of automatic promotion disappear in the rearview mirror, the vultures are gathering ahead. The Black Cats’ realistic chances of a top two finish died a month ago with back-to-back defeats against Leeds United and Hull City, and there have been precious few signs since that they can be resurrected.
Preston dark arts sparks Sunderland flashback - but revenge was sweet

2 months ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

‘It was like Billy Smart’s Circus out there.’ That was Peter Reid’s take on Tranmere Rovers boss John Aldridge sneaking an extra man onto the pitch against Sunderland a quarter of a century ago in an infamous FA Cup fourth round tie at Prenton Park. And there was more than a whiff of lion dung again this week when Preston, under one-time Sunderland reserve team defender Paul Heckingbottom, tried a similar stunt at the Stadium of Light.
Successive Sunderland managers have all come to same conclusion

2 months ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

It’s three years since I dubbed Luke O’Nien Sunderland’s ‘Swiss Army knife’ as debate raged over his best position. The tag was a reflection of his versatility - O’Nien had already proved himself a footballing multi-tool capable of taking on pretty much any task and, as the cliche goes, ‘doing a job’. Centre-back, full-back (right or left), central midfield, wide midfield, even emergency attacker … name an outfield position and O’Nien has played there.
There's only one way for Sunderland to respond to Championship health warning

2 months ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland duo Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg (Image: Ian Horrocks) How do Sunderland pick themselves up after a week like that? A gut-wrenching injury-time defeat at Leeds United, followed by a substandard display leading to defeat at the Stadium of Light at the hands of struggling Hull City.