Back by very popular demand is the return of Ask The Opposition. Our segment where we ask fans of opposing teams forums some questions and post a selection of the responses back on here.
I've asked questions to Sunderland fans on SunderMad and here are their responses. Thanks to some newbie users for providing some of the questions (they have been credited):
Q1: How do you feel about Manchester United under van Gaal compared to Moyes?
cyprussyd: Early days TBH, following Fergie was always a bad move but Van Gaal should do well, hopefully not yet mind
oldblackcat: I think he's a better choice for manager
MrRAWhite: Too early to tell about Van Gaal, and to be honest I don't think Moyes was given enough time to make his mark.
lesmac: Too early and unfair to comment on van Gaal's performance at United but his record elsewhere in very good so your fans must be very optimistic about the future. Moyes was not given enough time but I think he was always on to a hiding for nothing in following Ferguson.
Q2: Do you think Manchester United will make top four this season or will they fall short?
cyprussyd: Again early days, City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all bought well
oldblackcat: guessing challenging for 4th
MrRAWhite: On the prediction league on this forum I predicted Man Utd to win the league, which after seeing the strength of Chelsea in particular I'm regretting now. However, I still think that you will be challenging Liverpoo, Arsenal and Everton for the 3rd and 4th spots come the end of the season.
lesmac: Will not make the top four, perhaps top six
Q3: Since the loss to Swansea, Manchester United has roundly been criticised in the media, and by fans. What do you make of this, if anything, and what do you think of Manchester United’s transfer business so far this window?
cyprussyd: Not great but expect big names over next week
oldblackcat: over reaction after 1 game....money to throw around...only time will tell if it's used wisely
MrRAWhite: Strong criticism after one game is ludicrous, but that's the nature of many fans and our tabloid press.
lesmac: I think their failure to make significant signings is partly down to van Gaal taking on the job with little time to get organised. He is clearly a man who knows what he wants and will not compromise so he will manage with what he has until he has had a good look at the players. I also think that the failure to attract some players they have been rumoured to be after could be an indication that United are on the slippery slope to mediocrity. This happens to all top teams sometime, United themselves after Busby, Liverpool after the success of Bob Paisley.
Q4: What is the general feeling towards Colback after he ran down his contract and left for Newcastle? Is he considered a Judas despite being a Geordie? (question suggested by hundred_trillion)
cyprussyd: I am a Jack fan and him leaving wont change that, may be in a minority mind
oldblackcat: Decent player...if he want's to leave fcuk off
MrRAWhite: Sunderland have thousands of fans who are also Geordies from south Tyneside, so no problem there. However, I firmly believe that Colback and the Skunks had brokered a secret deal long before his contract expired in order to cheat us out of a fee, and for that I hold a grudge.
lesmac: Some fans have taken what I consider to be a vindictive view to his departure to our local rivals. I think he always gave his all when he played for SAFC even against Newcastle, his own personal favourite team. I wish him well in his new career except when he plays against Sunderland.
Q5: What are the levels of frustration among Sunderland fans with this transfer window? Do you feel like you need a player or two if you are going to stay up? Do fans still want Borini when he appears, at face value, less than enthused about the prospect of joining you? (question suggested by Blzbud)
cyprussyd: Frustrated is the word, verging on concerned
oldblackcat: obviously we need a couple of players....would love to know the real story about Borini..is it money,or doesn't he want to join us?
MrRAWhite: Borini deal goings on has been a pain in the arse, and I do think we are still a striker and a central defender short at the moment.
lesmac: I would like to see a goal scorer and two more defenders, a full back and a central defender for our cover in those areas is thin. However, I do think we will stay up and be somewhere around 10th to 12th at the seasons end. Many fans still want Borini but I never want to see him in a Sunderland shirt again. I feel that between Borini and Brenda(Rodgers) they have trated Gus Poyet badly and made him look weak and even foolish.
Q6: Another player who has been linked with you is Danny Welbeck. What do you make of that transfer rumour, and would you be happy to see him return to the Stadium of Light as a player?
cyprussyd: Would love him here just cant see it happening
oldblackcat: Sorry, I think Wellbeck is over rated....still would be useful for us though
MrRAWhite: Strange one for me as he looked like he was going to be the real deal a couple of years ago, but now seems like he has gone back a bit. However, if he did come he would have my full support.
lesmac: I'd be very happy to see Welbeck at SOL he played a very important role for us when we had him on loan and could do the same job for us now. He has faded a little in the past season or two but it does happen to all footballers, the trick is to be able to pick yourself up again.
Q7: Out of the ex-Manchester United players you have taken in recent years i.e Bardsley, Brown & O'Shea, which offers the most to your team and do you think United were wrong letting any of them go when they did? (question suggested by RedMilo)
cyprussyd: All surprised me in a good way but it was time to leave you, out of the 3 I would say Bardsley, just
oldblackcat: Like all of them....will go for Brown...Man Utd always let players go when they feel they are too old or have younger replacements
MrRAWhite: Bardsley had a few cracking seasons with us and will always have my thanks. Brown and O'shea's time here has been dogged by injuries, but Brown in particular looks the part when fit.
lesmac: Bardsley has been a tower of strength in our defence for most of the time he has played for us. A fit Wes Brown is an absolute class act but age and bad injuries has caught up with him. O'Shea is dependable but does make silly mistakes. I feel United were a bit premature in allowing Bardsley to leave.
Q8: In 2013, you had four managers in the space of seven months. Poyet managed to do the great escape last season and you’ve been in a similar position the last few seasons. Do you think Poyet can take you to that next level, and where do you think you will finish in the table this season? (question suggested by 432JuanMata)
cyprussyd: Yes, no doubt we will see mid table boredom, and that will do me
oldblackcat: I think Poyet will get us playing better football....10th upwards I hope
MrRAWhite: I feel like we will make progress this season and will finish somewhere between 9th and 12th.
lesmac: Poyet has a good football brain and given a little time and with the signings I mentioned above I think he will keep us up and slowly take us higher in the EPL.
Q9: Which XI would you like to see your team field against us?
cyprussyd: MANNONE.VERGINI, OSHEA,BROWN,VANMAN,CATTERMOLE, JOHNSON,LARSSON,RODWELL,GOMEZ,WICKHAM
Wont see it but would like it, Fletcher for Gomez I would guess
oldblackcat: Manonne Vergini O'Shea Brown Van Aanhalt Johnson Cattermole Larsson Gomez Rodwell Wickham
MrRAWhite: I would like to see the same starting line up as our last game, with the exception of Borini in fir Fletcher if signed. I would also like to see at least one of our very promising young players we have being on the bench.
lesmac: Mannone: Vergini O'Shea Brown Van Aanholt: Cattermole: Larrson Rodwell Johnson: Wickham
Q10: Finally, your predictions for the match?
cyprussyd: 2-1 to us
oldblackcat: 2-1 first win for us for a while
MrRAWhite: I have this game down for a draw on my predictions, but would settle for a 2-0 Sunderland victory..
lesmac: 2-1 to Sunderland
I've asked questions to Sunderland fans on SunderMad and here are their responses. Thanks to some newbie users for providing some of the questions (they have been credited):
Q1: How do you feel about Manchester United under van Gaal compared to Moyes?
cyprussyd: Early days TBH, following Fergie was always a bad move but Van Gaal should do well, hopefully not yet mind
oldblackcat: I think he's a better choice for manager
MrRAWhite: Too early to tell about Van Gaal, and to be honest I don't think Moyes was given enough time to make his mark.
lesmac: Too early and unfair to comment on van Gaal's performance at United but his record elsewhere in very good so your fans must be very optimistic about the future. Moyes was not given enough time but I think he was always on to a hiding for nothing in following Ferguson.
Q2: Do you think Manchester United will make top four this season or will they fall short?
cyprussyd: Again early days, City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all bought well
oldblackcat: guessing challenging for 4th
MrRAWhite: On the prediction league on this forum I predicted Man Utd to win the league, which after seeing the strength of Chelsea in particular I'm regretting now. However, I still think that you will be challenging Liverpoo, Arsenal and Everton for the 3rd and 4th spots come the end of the season.
lesmac: Will not make the top four, perhaps top six
Q3: Since the loss to Swansea, Manchester United has roundly been criticised in the media, and by fans. What do you make of this, if anything, and what do you think of Manchester United’s transfer business so far this window?
cyprussyd: Not great but expect big names over next week
oldblackcat: over reaction after 1 game....money to throw around...only time will tell if it's used wisely
MrRAWhite: Strong criticism after one game is ludicrous, but that's the nature of many fans and our tabloid press.
lesmac: I think their failure to make significant signings is partly down to van Gaal taking on the job with little time to get organised. He is clearly a man who knows what he wants and will not compromise so he will manage with what he has until he has had a good look at the players. I also think that the failure to attract some players they have been rumoured to be after could be an indication that United are on the slippery slope to mediocrity. This happens to all top teams sometime, United themselves after Busby, Liverpool after the success of Bob Paisley.
Q4: What is the general feeling towards Colback after he ran down his contract and left for Newcastle? Is he considered a Judas despite being a Geordie? (question suggested by hundred_trillion)
cyprussyd: I am a Jack fan and him leaving wont change that, may be in a minority mind
oldblackcat: Decent player...if he want's to leave fcuk off
MrRAWhite: Sunderland have thousands of fans who are also Geordies from south Tyneside, so no problem there. However, I firmly believe that Colback and the Skunks had brokered a secret deal long before his contract expired in order to cheat us out of a fee, and for that I hold a grudge.
lesmac: Some fans have taken what I consider to be a vindictive view to his departure to our local rivals. I think he always gave his all when he played for SAFC even against Newcastle, his own personal favourite team. I wish him well in his new career except when he plays against Sunderland.
Q5: What are the levels of frustration among Sunderland fans with this transfer window? Do you feel like you need a player or two if you are going to stay up? Do fans still want Borini when he appears, at face value, less than enthused about the prospect of joining you? (question suggested by Blzbud)
cyprussyd: Frustrated is the word, verging on concerned
oldblackcat: obviously we need a couple of players....would love to know the real story about Borini..is it money,or doesn't he want to join us?
MrRAWhite: Borini deal goings on has been a pain in the arse, and I do think we are still a striker and a central defender short at the moment.
lesmac: I would like to see a goal scorer and two more defenders, a full back and a central defender for our cover in those areas is thin. However, I do think we will stay up and be somewhere around 10th to 12th at the seasons end. Many fans still want Borini but I never want to see him in a Sunderland shirt again. I feel that between Borini and Brenda(Rodgers) they have trated Gus Poyet badly and made him look weak and even foolish.
Q6: Another player who has been linked with you is Danny Welbeck. What do you make of that transfer rumour, and would you be happy to see him return to the Stadium of Light as a player?
cyprussyd: Would love him here just cant see it happening
oldblackcat: Sorry, I think Wellbeck is over rated....still would be useful for us though
MrRAWhite: Strange one for me as he looked like he was going to be the real deal a couple of years ago, but now seems like he has gone back a bit. However, if he did come he would have my full support.
lesmac: I'd be very happy to see Welbeck at SOL he played a very important role for us when we had him on loan and could do the same job for us now. He has faded a little in the past season or two but it does happen to all footballers, the trick is to be able to pick yourself up again.
Q7: Out of the ex-Manchester United players you have taken in recent years i.e Bardsley, Brown & O'Shea, which offers the most to your team and do you think United were wrong letting any of them go when they did? (question suggested by RedMilo)
cyprussyd: All surprised me in a good way but it was time to leave you, out of the 3 I would say Bardsley, just
oldblackcat: Like all of them....will go for Brown...Man Utd always let players go when they feel they are too old or have younger replacements
MrRAWhite: Bardsley had a few cracking seasons with us and will always have my thanks. Brown and O'shea's time here has been dogged by injuries, but Brown in particular looks the part when fit.
lesmac: Bardsley has been a tower of strength in our defence for most of the time he has played for us. A fit Wes Brown is an absolute class act but age and bad injuries has caught up with him. O'Shea is dependable but does make silly mistakes. I feel United were a bit premature in allowing Bardsley to leave.
Q8: In 2013, you had four managers in the space of seven months. Poyet managed to do the great escape last season and you’ve been in a similar position the last few seasons. Do you think Poyet can take you to that next level, and where do you think you will finish in the table this season? (question suggested by 432JuanMata)
cyprussyd: Yes, no doubt we will see mid table boredom, and that will do me
oldblackcat: I think Poyet will get us playing better football....10th upwards I hope
MrRAWhite: I feel like we will make progress this season and will finish somewhere between 9th and 12th.
lesmac: Poyet has a good football brain and given a little time and with the signings I mentioned above I think he will keep us up and slowly take us higher in the EPL.
Q9: Which XI would you like to see your team field against us?
cyprussyd: MANNONE.VERGINI, OSHEA,BROWN,VANMAN,CATTERMOLE, JOHNSON,LARSSON,RODWELL,GOMEZ,WICKHAM
Wont see it but would like it, Fletcher for Gomez I would guess
oldblackcat: Manonne Vergini O'Shea Brown Van Aanhalt Johnson Cattermole Larsson Gomez Rodwell Wickham
MrRAWhite: I would like to see the same starting line up as our last game, with the exception of Borini in fir Fletcher if signed. I would also like to see at least one of our very promising young players we have being on the bench.
lesmac: Mannone: Vergini O'Shea Brown Van Aanholt: Cattermole: Larrson Rodwell Johnson: Wickham
Q10: Finally, your predictions for the match?
cyprussyd: 2-1 to us
oldblackcat: 2-1 first win for us for a while
MrRAWhite: I have this game down for a draw on my predictions, but would settle for a 2-0 Sunderland victory..
lesmac: 2-1 to Sunderland
I'm sure your opinions on other fringe players are equally as astute and backed by evidence and reasoning.