SUNDERLAND SCENE
by Andrew Rousell

FEW people can complain that life as a Sunderland supporter is dull. It's almost as if the phrase 'rollercoaster ride' was coined exclusively for the Red n' White Army.

Unfortunately, the mistakes of last season seem to be repeated, as the strength of our squad is put to the test. Last year, it was a test we failed miserably, as we slipped out of the hunt for Europe. This year seemed to be heading the same way, until Kevin Kilbane scored a freak winner at Southampton to push us back up the table.

Cue Peter Reid's claim that we are still in with a shout of a European adventure, and renewed optimism on Wearside. The result, welcome as it was, only managed to paper over the cracks that have been spreading since Christmas.

Kilbane's goal, and the three points it brought with it, cannot disguise the fact that we have been poor since the turn of the year. At first, vital decisions were going against us in big matches, often making the difference between three points and none. There can be no excuse for the way we have rolled over and died of late, the squad simply isn't good enough.

The signs have been there all season. Lack of cover for the strikers, the release of our best winger without an adequate replacement and too many players being asked to play out of position. Yet Reid insisted he was looking to buy. Ambitious teams do not act this way.

How the season ends is now out of our hands, when our destiny should have been there for the taking. Now, instead of the big Euro party at Everton on the last day of the season, we will be sweating over other teams results while huddled round transistor radios, desperately hoping that Villa and Chelsea slip up, or that Leeds or Liverpool can do us a favour.

Even so, the season has not been a total disaster. We've managed to cement our reputation as a solid Premiership team and, with the current squad, management, fanbase and stadium, there should be little chance of a return to the lower leagues.

Manchester United again ran away with the title, but their boss, old saggy-faced Sir Alex himself, paid us the ultimate compliment when he named us among the prime challengers to the throne back in December. While we didn't live up to the early season promise, this was a fine indicator to show how far we've come since Butcher and Buxton.