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

These are the very best of times for Sunderland - enjoy every second

1 week ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland celebrate promotion to the Premier League (Image: Ian Horrocks) Joy. An explosion of sheer, unbridled joy. Last weekendâs Championship play-off final victory against Sheffield United was arguably the greatest moment shared by Sunderland fans since the clubâs famous FA Cup triumph in 1973. Promotions? Sure, there have been promotions - and impressive ones, at that.
I don't mind making Sunderland Premier League admission...it has been quite a journey

2 weeks ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Sunderland players celebrate the semi-final success over Coventry (Image: Ian Horrocks) It is almost eight years to the day since Sunderland last kicked a ball in the Premier League, as a grim 5-1 defeat at Chelsea on May 21, 2017, brought down the curtain on a season of failure. Twelve months later, the Black Cats hit a new low when they crashed straight through the floor of the Championship and into the depths of League One.
I racked my brain - but nothing comes close to this Sunderland moment...

3 weeks ago | wearesunderland.com | James Hunter

Where to start? At the end, of course, with Dan Ballard’s incredible last-gasp, jumped-too-early, stooped-to-conquer header. The extra-time goal that earned Sunderland a draw against Coventry City on the night, a 3-2 aggregate semi-final win, and a trip to Wembley for the Championship play-off final. A moment that sparked scenes of absolute pandemonium on a scale unprecedented at the Stadium of Light. I certainly can’t remember an atmosphere quite like it at Sunderland’s current home.
St Mirren v Hibernian | Team News

3 weeks ago | stmirren.com | James Hunter

Stephen Robinson has named an unchanged starting 11 for tonight's final home match of the 2024/25 season. The manager sticks with the same side that defeated Dundee United 2-0 at Tannadice on Saturday as we host Hibernian at The SMiSA Stadium. Captain Mark O'Hara returns to the squad after being ruled out with a hamstring injury at the weekend. He takes a place on the bench which means Marcus Fraser captains the side.
Time for Sunderland to rewrite Coventry record in play-offs

1 month 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...

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months 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

2 months 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.