Fan's Eye View: Sunderland

Your team's best performance last season?

It has to be Wigan away. A resounding 1-0 win in-front of 7,800 screaming Mackems against arguably our biggest rivals at the time.

And the worst?

There are defeats and there are defeats, of all different sorts. The one that falls into the category of bloody awful is Brighton Away a 2-0 defeat and the return journey lasted an age.

Who was your best player last season?

Best player last season would go to George McCartney who has matured so much in the last few years and as testament to his ability has been the subject of several seven figure bids from other Premier League sides. Pure Class.

Who was the most under-rated?

Most Under-rated would be Dean Whitehead. A power-house in the centre of midfield and capable of Vieira-type bursts through the middle. Links up well with the front two and does his share of tracking back when needed.

And the worst player?

Unfortunately I will have to go for Michael Bridges. 'The Stick' was not the worst performer by far but the expectation heaped on his shoulders meant that the lad was destined to fail.

What was the most memorable moment?

Memorable moment has to be Stephen Elliot's winner against West Ham which clinched promotion. The look on the little scamps face said it all I think.

Funniest moment, If any?

Although not necessarily a moment Julio Arca being sidelined due to a Jelly Fish attack still cracks me up. Sure to be a question on 'They Think It's All Over' in the future. Also the Bowyer/Dyer bust up cannot go without mention and will be written into Mackem folklore sure to be remembered for the rest of time.

Whos was the best individual performance against you?

Best performance against us was Dave Kitson who bagged a brace at the Stadium of Light to give his team a win against the odds and to end our eight game unbeaten run.

Best set of fans, besides your own?

Best fans would probably be the Ipswich fans at Portman Road. As soon as the Full-Time whistle went we were offered many hand shakes and cries of 'good look' and 'you's have got a cracking side there'. I salute them all (until next season that is).

Best chant?

Unfortunately you won't be able to print the following:

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!!

Shearer is a w*nker he wears a wan*ers hat,

He plays for scum united and he's a f*cking tw*t,

He F*cks up on the left wing, he f*cks up on the right,

And when he played for England he was really F*cking Sh*te.

So we will opt for:

Hoolio-o

Always believe in your soul,

You've got the power to know,

You're indestructible,

Always believe in,

Hoolio-o

Which ground is your favourite to visit and why?

Favorite ground would be Villa Park as it's still one of the oldest grounds in the leagues and has kept that 'type of ground my granddad used to visit' feel but with top-notch facilities.

What improvements need to be made this season?

This season we will need to be a bit more consistent and will definitely need strengthening in defense just one or two injuries to key players could see us delving into the reserves for cover.

Individual with most to prove?

The individual with most to prove would be Jon Stead who will return to the Premier League with Sunderland determined to prove he has what it takes to make it in the top flight after being let go by Blackburn. Also Stephen Elliot for pretty much the same reasons and to prove Kevin Keegan wrong again for letting him leave City.

Which game are you most looking forward to?

Newcastle at the SoL. Tyne-Wear derbies are by far the biggest and liveliest in the country and this one will be no different. Expect fireworks on the pitch and a repeat of an all too familiar score-line, 2-1.

Which of your young players has impressed you?

Andy Welsh who often looks like a little lad whose lost his mum in a supermarket but when he gets going he is magic to watch. Lets hope we see a lot more of him next season.

If money was no object which player or manager would like to see at your club?

Alan Shearer...only kidding perhaps Claude Makelele who I thought was the best player in the Premier League by far last season. In an ideal world it would, rather predictably, be the mercurial Ronaldinho.

What would you consider to be a good season?

Survival, plain and simple.

How would you sum up your manager?

Mick has excellent man management skills and a great rapport with his players and the fans. He is well known for speaking his mind and does not suffer fools gladly. Although not a master tactician in the Wenger/Ferguson mould he has the ability to get the best out of his players and knows a bargain when he sees one. His style of play is ideally suited to this club and if anyone is capable of helping us survive in the upper echelons of English football it would be McCarthy.

If you had to put a £1m bet on where your team finishes, where would you say?

14th