One could only assume what madness new boss Martin O’Neill was conjuring as he outlined plans for Sunderland to play like the current best team on the planet, as his new club entered free-fall into relegation more messy than Messi. However the explanation was in O’Neill’s light talk about his time away from management. Barcelona’s success is no secret: they aren’t demi-gods; just a disciplined bunch with a particular style of play that compliments them. In theory, there is no reason why any team can’t replicate their success with the right players, and the right manager.
Fans certainly believe they have the latter, made clear as O’Neill humbly presented himself to the Stadium of Light. His warm applause accompanied slogans and flags already regarding him as their next Peter Reid. Martin himself however made the media aware of his relationship with supporters; he knew his reputation gave him “about three games” to allow mistakes. After that, he was just another manager.
Blackburn Rovers’ early goal brought wonder as to whether it was all just another Steve Bruce, like Eric Black a week prior. Fans irresponsibly jeered players off at half-time (the most fickle claiming it was directed at the referee; it wasn’t). The majority supporting however saw beyond the scoreline and saw the match – and the Sunderland squad – for what it was already becoming under Martin O’Neill’s guidance. There was an attacking flair previously abandoned by Steve Bruce’s repetitive defensive offering. Statistics in retrospect did not lie: Sunderland bossed Blackburn around the SOL with no response, boasting near-70% possession and determined attacking flair led by the ever-present Sességnon. Pundits and supporters alike knew a Sunderland goal was coming – a Sunderland win was inevitable.
The beginning of the end exploded with an 84th minute David Vaughan knock-out shot from afar – one of the most aesthetically-pleasing shots of the season. The Stadium of Light was buzzing with anticipation for another as Martin O’Neill sent his body into orbit with excitement. A 92nd minute spot-kick award was just the ticket for Sebastian Larsson to redeem himself for his incident at Wolverhampton. He needed to take this chance for himself and for the club. With hearts in throats, the Swede curved an impossible shot below keeper Paul Robinson and the Stadium of Light went absolutely bananas. Larsson erupted into a shooting star pose as he blew kisses to supporters who had lost all sense of control. Not even Martin O’Neill could maintain order of his motor functions.
It was not perfect but it was entertaining. O’Neill got his victory, Larsson got his redemption, and Sunderland got the points. There were highly encouraging appearances from Wickham, Ji Dong Won and James McClean; with the Irish boy McClean being the centrepiece of Sunderland’s grand finale to a grand new start.
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