Fan Letters: “Don’t make the same mistake with Jermain!”
When the managerial vacancy occurred, my immediate thoughts were for Jermain Defoe to be appointed. He is a wonderful human being and deserves a chance. Even when he was playing, he was giving advice to those around him. Plus, he wants the job. I would bite his hand off. Even if he wants to bring his own team in, they will probably be better than the current staff.
As a Sunderland supporter since 1954, this reminds me of the lost opportunity in the sixties when we could and should have appointed Brian Clough. Don’t make the same mistake with Jermain.
Brian Anderson
Ed’s Note [Chris]: As far as anyone is aware he could well be in the running, since nobody really has a clue what direction we’re heading next. Only time will tell if Defoe turns into the next Clough, but knowing our luck it won’t be with Sunderland if he does.
Give Kev Phillips a go. Offer him a short-term contract initially with significant add-ons. As has been said previously, he’s no more of a gamble than Will Still, and he understands the club deeply. I can’t help but think back to another Sunderland centre forward who also went on to manage Hartlepool. At the time, he said he would walk over broken glass barefoot to take the Sunderland job—the late, great Brian Clough. The rest, of course, is history!
Come on, Dreyfus, get a grip and show some cojones! Get Phillips in with an experienced assistant if needed.
Cliff Gray
Dear Roker Report,
Please appoint Kevin Phillips. As Gary Lineker once observed of his savvy England goal, “Not a clonker.” He speaks seriously, he likes the fans, he’s a quiet enthusiast, and the fans admire him. The players would respect him. He is the only candidate worth backing now.
Bill Greenwell
Ed’s Note [Chris]: Stranger things have happened, but being our best goalscorer of the last quarter of a century or so at the club isn’t a guarantee he’d be successful as manager.
I am a lifelong supporter, and we need an experienced Championship manager who is allowed to advise and acquire the players required — not just focus on younger talent. No club has ever got promoted with boys only; you need a blend of both.
Martin Jones
Like everyone else, I’m sick of clicking on Sunderland news with no news.
I’m getting more of a feeling that Sartori’s pal Gus Poyet will be coming back soon.
I’d like to place on record my disappointment at the way we have been treated. First, to give up with 10 or so games to end the season and forgetting that we had paid £30 to watch the rubbish served up by Mr. Dodds (a nice guy but way out of his depth).
It’s no wonder a new manager would not relish having him as assistant. My advice to the club’s higher management is to look at what happened at Newcastle to Fred Sheppard and Mike Ashley. They were driven out by passionate fans because of issues with the running of the club. Pay the money and get a decent manager. He is the main man. If they appoint a yes man, the
