After the departure of Steve Bruce, Sunderland have hired Irish-born manager Josh McQueen. McQueen who had been in charge of Shamrock Rovers for the last few years, guiding them to mutiple League Titles, and even to the Group Stages of the Europa League as been chosen to turn around the troubles at Sunderland.
He take's charge of a club with huge expectations and hungry fans, who are wanting Sunderland to become a giant force in the premier league, instead of being involved in relegation dog fights. McQueen has been giving a one year deal with the Premier League side, to give him a chance to turn things around.
It's been said, that he has been promised a budget to bring in some players of his own, the figure's believed to be around £12,000,000 with his aim of a mid-table finish this season. Sunderland fans have made it clear there desire for some trophyware and it's believed that one of McQueen's priority's aswell this season is to capture one of the domestic cups.
Federico Macheda - Season Loan (Initial Fee £825,000 from Manchester United)
Landon Donovan - £8,000,000 from La Galaxy
Jadson - £7,000,000 from Shaktar Doneskt
Out
David Vaughan - £2,000,000 to Celtic Nyron Nosworthy - Season Loan to Ipswich (Initial fee of £525,000)
Billy Knott - £35k to Leicester City
Michael Liddle - Season Loan to Macclesfield
James Mclean - Season Loan to Falkirk
The start of August saw me start my Premier League campaign against newly promoted side Norwich City. I knew it wouldn't be easy, Norwich's confidence would be high due to there recent back to back promotions, but still if I was to achieve my aims these was the type of the games I should be winning.
Was a good performance all round against what seemed a very poor Norwich side, but I want to take nothing away from my boys, it was a great performance and well deserving of the three points, only thing I could of asked was possibly taking a few more of there chances, but hey? Let's not pick at the bones of what was a fantastic peformance to start of our Premier League campaign.
Next we had QPR at home, another one of the newly promoted sides to the Premier League, infact they won the Championship to get promoted and started off last week with a 3-2 win over Blackburn, so it wasn't a game I could take lightly. First game at home aswell, "let's get out there and give the fans something to cheer about".
Another confident display as we ran out comfortable winners in the end. Two goals in the first half half, from young striker Wickham put us in easy street and Landan Donovon's first goal for the club extended that lead in the second half. Sure, they got a goal back, but it was nothing but a consolation as we continued to push foward for more goals. Another deserved three points and we was sitting 3rd in the table after two games.
Carling Cup was up next and the draw had been quite kind to us, as we travelled to League One side Charlton. A game what everyone was expecting us to win by a few goals, especially on paper but we all know football doesn't play on paper. I was weary of Charlton, there one of the favourite's to go up this season in there league, the've got nothing to lose in this game, I made a few changes - but not alot keeping some key players in the team like Wes Brown and John O'Shea, the players was warned to to get complacent.
3rd Round, here we come as we cruised past Charlton to book ourselves in the 3rd round and we was rewarded a home tie against Doncaster Rovers, which I couldn't be happier about, it give's us a great chance to progress into the next round - but for this game's efforts, the players was fantastic and we never allowed Charlton to play. It seemed Charlton was more nervous about this game, as they scored an own goal early on to put us infront, after that we never looked back and went on to win comfortably.
Final game of the month, was away to Wigan Athletic. Wigan who had lost both there opening game's of the season and was one of the favourite's to go down this season, was big under dogs going into this one. Federico Macheda was back from injury after losing him for a few weeks during a pre-season friendly, but i played it save and put him on the bench, starting with Bednter and Wickham upfront.
A lot trickier than I was hoping tihs game would be, as Wigan brought the game right to us. We wasn't able to close them down and really wasn't out best peformances, we was creating plenty of chances, but so was they. It seemed to be going for a goalless draw, especially when Bendtner missed that penalty, couldn't believe that to be honest, but Kieren Richardson - Half time subsitute for Donovan, slotted the ball under the Wigan keeper to give us another valuable three points and end the month with a 100% record and 3rd in the Premier League.
Sitting 3rd in the table, sure it's only three games in but it's a nice sight to see Sunderlands name in the top four, dont you think? Anyway's, the Manager of the Month award was giving to Roberto Mancini for winning all three of his games, Andre Villas-Boas took second spot and Liverpool's Kenny Dalglish took third spot. All the teams around me, how about that? Doesn't bother me, im now looking on to our next game in September.
After a fantastic start to the month, we started September by welcoming Everton to the Stadium of Light. A game which i've gotta admit, really wasn't looing foward to, I dont know what it is about Everton, they've got this thing about them that just really puts me off wanting to play them, however I felt confident enough in my player's getting the job done - Everton was lying 7th in the league while we was suprisingly sitting in 3rd.
A very tight affair, which got quite heated at the end aswell, with Everton getting Marouane Fellaini sent off with twenty minutes left after a vicious two foot tackle, although the goal what decided the game was before this and it was ex-Everton star Landon Donovan who got the vital winner for Sunderland, to give us the three points. Got to admit, was delighted with a win over Everton, might not be much for you'se guys, but for me - it's, let's just say it's personal.
Another reason I was delighted to get the points on the board was because our next game was at the Emirates against Arsenal, a game which everyone was already writing us off for, and saying our dream start would become to an abrupt end, but I fancied our chances slightly as Arsenal hasn't started the season as many would of thought and found themselves below us in the table with already a defeat and two draws to there name.
What can I say?! Absolute delighted with the three points and it keeps our 100% alive after five games! Arsenal was no doubt the better side, but our defence kept strong and refused to give in, and a few top quality saves from Kieren Westwood kept Arsenal at bay - While Federico Macheda netted his first competitive goal for Sunderland bang on the half an hour mark to give us a priceless victory at the Emirates and move us up to 2nd - yes, that's right 2nd!
After a fantastic start to the month, It was time to guide our attention away from the league to the Carling Cup once again, as we welcomed Doncaster in the 3rd Round - a game that I felt really confident about. With the result's we have recently picked up, I was looking to win this one with a few goals and decided to start Donovan upfront - An experiment as he usually play's on the wing for me.
So as you can see, the experiment really gave me something to think about as Donovan bagged a hat-trick with Gardner chipping in aswell, a fine comfortable performance and never ever looked like being anything else but a rout. Proud of my players not to get complacent, especially after realising that Doncaster had beaten QPR before this. The 4th round tie, paired us up with Everton - away. Fair to say, I wasnt pleased - Tricky tie? I think so.
The last game of the month was against Blackburn Rovers at home. Another game I wasnt looking to win and a game I was starting to be expected to win with ease with my recent form and fantastic start to the Premier League. I changed a few areas, wanted a fully fit sqaud for this and was hoping to end the month in a high.
A lot closer that I was expecting! Blackburn took te lead, and to be fair - they deserved it. We was awful and really didn't get going and was played off the park for the entire first half. I decided it wasn't working and brought on Ji Dong-Won and move Donovan from the wing to attack alongside Dong-Won. Fair to say, It was an instant impact as within a minute Ji Dong-Won scored on his debut to equalise. From there own it could of went either way, but Landon Donovan gave me a fresh sigh of relief when he popped up to ****** a last minute winner. Was glad to get the three points, was dissapointed with the peformance - was expecting to win this comfortably - I let the player's know i was dissapointed, but still another win and still 100%.
I ended the month in 2nd place tied with a very dominating Chelsea. The manager of the month was once again giving to Andre Villas-Boas and I came runner-up this time. Fair to say, I was slightly gutted to miss out on it again, but I could understand why it was giving to Villa Boas once again. October, here we come. Watch out Villa!
Ok, so two month into the season and we're sitting 2nd in the Premier League, who can believe it? What's more? Chelsea's early kick-off with Liverpool resulted in a 1-1 draw, which meant if I beat Villa today, I would go top of the league by two points. I didn't want to get carried away, keep focused and get the three points.
We got there in the end, we pushed and pushed and got the goal what won us the game, it could of been more but Aston Villa has to take credit for some top notch defending and some fine goalkeeping. Ok, so that means we're sitting top of the table after this, by two points! The fans are in a jubilent mood, the board are falling over me and player's morale is flying high - Could this just be a start of a remarkable season?
I found it funny that we went top of the table, the week before we was to travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, I made sure our player's knew that this game was nothing more than just another Premier League game as the media was having a field day about it beign a title decider, I mean really? At this stage..come on.
Let's be realistic? All im wanting is a good performance from the boys and maybe sneak a result out of it.
Yeah, well-...that was a knock back down to reality, we was outclassed and outplayed everywhere on the pitch but to be honest, we didn't show up at all. Chelsea was so on top it was unbelievable, but in a way as much asit hurt and trust me that result f**king hurt, it was a good thing. It brought it us back to reality as we was maybe getting carried away wit our amazing start and reminded us, that we're not quite there at that level yet. We needed to remind ourselves our aim was mid-table and anything above that this season is a great achievement.
So after that humilating defeat to Chelsea, we was looking to bounce back against Stoke City. Stoke although had also had over achieving at this stage of the season and found themselves in 7th position, as many people expected them to be relegation candidates, so it was always going to be a tough game, made harder by the injury of Federico Macheda before the game.
Well, dissapointing to say the least. We was the better side, but just couldn't find the back of the net - we had more chance's and most of the possession, but failed to take them and was punished with a Peter Crouch header which was poor marking from us, but still a game we didn't deserve to lose, but i've got to tae positives from it and we played well and was the better team, so it was a good response from the Chelsea game.
Ok, so heading into the 4th Round of the Carling Cup against Everton, aftert back to back defeats, wasn't really what I had in mind, but I had try and turn this around and get through to the Quarter-Finals. After all aswell as a mid-table finish, winning one of the domestic was another one of my aims for the season, but again I dont like playing Everton!
Delighted to great through, another fantastic result! It seemed to go all down hill when Fellaini put Everton a goal up right on half time, but our response in the second half was magnificent. Extra time, something I really wasn't looking to happen, but up stepped Federico Macheda to turn the tie around and send us into the Quarter-Finals of the Carling Cup.
Final game of the month was another tough fixture, this time it was against multi-million spending Manchester City, big favourite's to win the league this season, although at home I felt confident we could get something, especially hoping we had turned it around after that dreadful performance against Chelsea, I didn't want a repeat of that.
Cant complain, sure was gutted not to hold out for the win but a point against a very strong Manchester City side is always welcomed here and it ended the month on a much more positive note after the Chelsea result. I was proud of my player's being able to bounce back and get a result like this and also go through to the next round of the Carling Cup.
I ended the month in 3rd place, which wasn't to bad and still alot higher than we was expected to be at this time of the season. No prizes for guessing who got Manager of the Month, Andre Villa Boas again, but I looked to November, with alot of promise and looking to make more progress within our side as we aim to achieve our goals.
The start of Novemeber saw me head to relegation candidates, West Brom. A game what I was looking to get all three points from and continue this remarable run of form i've had so far in the Premier League. I started with Bendtner upfront for the first time in a few weeks, to see if he could make an impact and try and win himself a spot back in the team.
Ok, I got the three points which I was happy with - but the performance? Not so much. We struggled to create many chance's through-out the game and West Brom must be walking away from this wondering how they never got at least a point. Bendtner got on the scoresheet, sure all be it through a penalty but it was a goal none the less to boost his confidence and hopefully push him into form.
Then came the last of the teams to be promoted this season, Swansea City. Another away game, which wasn't really to my choosing, but a game once again I was looking to win. Swansea hasn't been doing to bad this year sitting in 15th during this time, not bad for there first ever time in the Premier League. I started the same team as I did at West Brom - hoping to make some minor changes to the style of play and get a better performance.
Not happy, not happy in the slightest. We was lucky to even walk away with a draw, another poor performance and we got a man sent off. Wes Brown came to rescue in the last minute to salvage a point out of the game, it was clear that something needed to be changed, especially when we was welcoming Liverpool next week, who currently are sitting above us in the league.
Liverpool at home, a chance to be tied in 2nd place if we could get a result out of it, obviously Liverpool was favourites, but to me that doesn't mean nothing. I prefare being the underdogs, give's you less pressure in my opinion. I made a few changes within the team, swapping some of the midfield around for this, knowing we needed a better peformance that we've had in our last two games to get a result here.
Much, much better! We was brilliant, creating alot more chances' passing alot better aswell. We seemed to have the confidence back within ourside, sure Liverpool created some chances, but I wasn't expecting to keep Liverpool from creating all game, they was 2nd in the table for a reason, but not for much longer as this result meant now on the same points as Liverpool. Sebastian Larsson got the deciding goal, with a fantastic 25 yard drive.
We then travelled to London to take on Tottenham, a game what was going to be anything but easy. Tottenham currently sitting in 4th was one ofn the favourite's to qualify for the Champions League, now you dont become that without having a very good side. With the confidence flowing from the result against Liverpool, I felt we could go into this game looking for at least a draw.
Or we could just take all three points! We found it alot harder though, when Jadson got sent off, who i've got to be honest has been pretty dissapointing since i've signed him from Shakter Doneskt. But we never gave up and kept battling on, and some fine saves from in-form Kieren Westwood kept Tottenham at bay, while we took advantage with a fabulous team worked goal finished off by Landon Donovan. Another great result, which kept us tied 2nd place, as we aimed to try and leapfrog Liverpool - are we actually possible of doing this?
We finished the month with a home tie against Bolton. With our recent results, it was a game was looking to win comfortably, and keep pressure on Chelsea and Liverpool, as we continue to try and catch them. Bolton who are sitting in the bottom half of the table, so a game we was expecting to win aswell. I wanted to end the month on a high, and heep the morale going from the recent results.
A very frustrating draw, we just couldn't find that second goal. Bolton took the lead against the run of the play and i've got to be honest, I thought it was going to be one of these games, nothing would go for us - but we kept fighting and attacking and got back into it when Jack Colback levelled it up with not long to go. We pushed and pushed to try and find that winner, but Bolton's Jaskelinian was on top form to keep it at 1-1. Ok, so not a win but not a defeat either, so I wasn't too disheartened. The team peformed well and that's what matters.
At the end of November, we currently sitting 3rd (tied 2nd) on the same points with Liverpool and only hree points behind leaders Chelsea. It's been an amazing campaign so far, who thought after 15 games into the season, that Sunderland would be sitting where we are. Well I certainly did! Having faith in our side is what it's about and as we continue to push on, we will aim for bigger and better things - aswell as a domestic cup.
The manager of the month was once again Chelsea's Andre Villas-Boas with myself coming in 3rd, which was pleasent to see, but would be nicer to win it.
Looking foward to December, as we start the month with our home Quarter final tie against Wigan Athletic, so things a really looking promising for Sunderland at this time. I've got the board loving me, the fans loving me and the players even loving me - all I need to do is get myself to love me and that's trophies!
The month started off with the Quarter Final home tie against Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup, a game I was looking to win comfortably. I felt confident with our form and morale at the moment, aswell as previosuly beating Wigan before in the Premier League. Im looking for a good result and a convincing performance aswell, to carry on from the good month we had in November, this was our best chance to get to a semi-final in years.
Exactly what I was looking for, a confident performance and a convincing result to go along with it. Sure, was dissapointed to concede a goal, but cant take nothing away from the lads, they was fantastic. Had control of the game from the beginning and never looked like being anything else but a Sunderland win. This meant a semi-final tie with Liverpool, who had just knocked out Manchester United in Quarter-Finals. Now it's a tough tie, but not impossible as i've already shown when we beat Liverpool earlier in the season.
The next game, was a game what has been anticipated all season, forget your Arsenals, your Chelseas or even your Liverpools, this game was the biggest game of the season so far, if not the biggest for Sunderland fans. It was Newcastle away in the Tyne-Wear Derby. A game I had to experiance, what was going to bring alot of expectations from supporters and the board, especially when our arch rivals are sitting 18th in the league and we're sitting 3rd, with the same points with Liverpool in 2nd. We was big favourites for the game - I didnt want to let the fans down, out of the all the games to lose, I really didn't want to lose this one.
What a game! What a result, what a buzz! I wasn't expecting a result like this, a game where both teams just went for it from the off until the right team came out on top, we was all over them in the first half and sat with a well deserved 2-0 lead at half-time to silence the home crowd. The second half, we killed the game or so I thought, when we got a third, but they pulled a goal back, only to concede almost straight after it! We then it made it five! I was delighted, they got two consolation goals, but it wasn't enough to dampen our spirits or silence our supporters! The fans was "jubilent" and the board was delighted, a classic win over our arch rivals Newcastle. What a start to the month, through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and succesfully hammering our fierce rivals Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Wolve's at home was next, which compared to our last two games, would be alot more of a calmer affair. A game we was expected to win, but no-where near as much pressure. I started with a fresh side, taking alot of pressure from the players aswell, giving other's a chance. I felt extremely confident in my players against Wolves, or was I starting to get to cocky?
Whatever it was, it worked. A comfortable win over Wolves, which was to be expected, although what wasnt to be expected was Liverpool slipping up. This meant that I leapedfrogged them into 2nd place by two points! Also same points as Chelsea, im now in 2nd place, two points infront of Liverpool and on the same points as leaders Chelsea - Is a title challenge really on the cards?
Fulham was our next challengers, at home once again and once again, I felt very confident of our boys going out and getting the job done. With the morale sky high, with our recent leapfrog in the league, it meant our players was more happier than ever, the board was happy, the fans was happy - it was just such a good buzz around the club at the moment - Fulham better have brought there A game, they would need it.
Ok, we made it hard for ourselves' but we still got the three points, and when your where we are, and pushing for what were pushing for, points is all that matters! Ofcourse I like to see my team play well, but knowing we'eve got Manchester United next week at Old Trafford, to get 3 points today was vital. The red card, was dissapointing and a warning was handed out to make sure it doesn't happen again or in the near future at least.
Ok, away to Old Trafford - Now I know Manchester United havn't been living up too all expectations this season and currently are not even in the top four, but it is still Manchester United and it's at Old Trafford, so it's not going to be any easier, than usual. I would like to get a draw out of the game or a win if possible! To keep pressure on Chelsea and stay above Liverpool, but I know i've got my work cut out to do so.
What can I say? The boys are fantastic, if this result doesn't prove we mean business, then I dont know what will. We was brilliant, created chances - kept Manchester United at bay, and took our goals well. Fantastic! The fans are absolutly delighted with the result, and rightly so they should be. When was the last time Sunderland pulled off a result like this? Also it kept us above Liverpool and level on points with leaders Chelsea. Also wat I found funny, straight after this game Manchester United declared there interest in Connor Wickham and press linked them coming in for a £15,000,000 bid during the January window. Something that Il deal with when it comes to it, for now it's on to the final game of this month.
The final game of the month was at home against Norwich City, wanting to finish off a superb month with a result would be brilliant. I started a strong side, not wanting to take any chances against Norwich who we defeated on the first game of the season. It was a game I was confident about, but wanted to make sure about the points - I wanted to end the month by winning all the games during December.
Perfect way to end nothing less than a perfect month! A very comfortable performance, wrapped up by two well-taken goals and a clean sheet. We controlled the game for most parts, Norwich did have small spells, but never seemed to cause that much a threat, we could of had a few more - but two was enough to kill the game and reward us with three points to end the month on a high.
The month was then topped off with the "Manager of the Month" award, finally being awarded to myself for winning all five league games in December. A great achievement, especially when you look at two of the sides we was playing, such as Newcastle and Manchester United.
What a month, when you look back at it - it's truely been unbelievable, we start by booking ourselves into the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup, followed up by hammering our arch rivals Newcastle in the Tyrne-Wear derby. A famous win at Old Trafford and we end the month winning all the games in December - simply brilliant. We end the year sitting 2nd and level on points with Chelsea, who would of thought it?
We sit 2nd five points above Manchester City, who have no leap-frogged Liverpool into 3rd place and we sit on level points with leaders Chelsea, who are top on goal difference. Who would of thought going into the new year, Sunderland would be sitting there in the table? People are starting to ask, are we serious title contenders, to me? There's no question - We are title contenders and we're going to be serious challengers as we push for the title.
I'll follow, good luck 
