1 00:00:06,006 --> 00:00:08,633 A lot of money to watch that shower of shite! 2 00:00:09,175 --> 00:00:13,054 No effort, no class, no fucking idea! 3 00:00:22,522 --> 00:00:23,982 Over here, man! 4 00:00:28,653 --> 00:00:30,697 You're not fit to wear the shirt 5 00:00:30,780 --> 00:00:34,909 You're not fit, you're not fit You're not fit to wear the shirt 6 00:02:01,996 --> 00:02:04,707 It's like your first day of school again, to be honest. 7 00:02:04,791 --> 00:02:09,045 It's always a little bit nerve-racking, I think, meeting new players. 8 00:02:09,129 --> 00:02:11,297 I only know a couple of them to be fair. 9 00:02:11,381 --> 00:02:13,883 It's a club that shouldn't be in this league, 10 00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:16,594 and it should have a great chance of going back up. 11 00:02:16,678 --> 00:02:20,557 So, it was a no-brainer to come play here at a big stadium and a big club, 12 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:22,308 and I can't wait to get going. 13 00:02:22,433 --> 00:02:25,145 -This must be Jonny Williams, is it? -Yeah. 14 00:02:25,228 --> 00:02:27,856 -I'm Andy. Pleased to meet you. -Hi, Andy. Jonny. 15 00:02:27,939 --> 00:02:29,023 You know where to go? 16 00:02:29,107 --> 00:02:30,483 -No. -No? 17 00:02:31,401 --> 00:02:33,236 -This is Adam. -Hi, Adam. 18 00:02:33,319 --> 00:02:34,404 -Who's that? -Jonny. 19 00:02:34,487 --> 00:02:36,114 Nice to meet you. 20 00:02:36,948 --> 00:02:37,824 How are you, mate? 21 00:02:37,907 --> 00:02:39,325 I think when we look at Jonny, 22 00:02:39,409 --> 00:02:42,537 we were looking for a player that's got that something different, 23 00:02:42,620 --> 00:02:45,623 that little bit of... creativity. 24 00:02:45,707 --> 00:02:46,916 Okay. That's yours. 25 00:02:48,042 --> 00:02:50,003 All he needs to do is keep fit, 26 00:02:50,086 --> 00:02:52,380 and we'll see a real talented player in our books. 27 00:02:52,463 --> 00:02:54,549 And fingers crossed, that becomes the case. 28 00:02:54,632 --> 00:02:57,510 Hopefully, we'll get the supporters on the edge of their seats. 29 00:03:00,555 --> 00:03:01,681 Watch the door, mate. 30 00:03:03,892 --> 00:03:05,143 Sorry. 31 00:03:07,854 --> 00:03:10,398 Hello. How are you? You all right? 32 00:03:10,481 --> 00:03:12,650 All right, men. Thanks very much for coming in. 33 00:03:12,859 --> 00:03:15,069 Marc, Jonny, and Callum, we're bringing 'em in 34 00:03:15,153 --> 00:03:18,239 'cause we know they're good players, and they can improve the squad. 35 00:03:18,323 --> 00:03:21,242 They'll give the other players a kick on the backside and say, 36 00:03:21,326 --> 00:03:24,329 "We came to make a better team, and we're gonna take your places." 37 00:03:24,412 --> 00:03:26,581 Which ultimately, then lifts the bar 38 00:03:26,664 --> 00:03:29,626 for the players who are already in the team at this moment of time 39 00:03:29,709 --> 00:03:32,962 if they want to stay in the team for the next game and games after that. 40 00:03:33,046 --> 00:03:36,382 Outside leg kick, Jonny. Let's get it a little bit quicker now! 41 00:03:36,966 --> 00:03:40,220 As a manager, you gotta do whatever is required to be successful. 42 00:03:40,762 --> 00:03:42,889 Stay outside. Leg work. Couple across as well. 43 00:03:43,431 --> 00:03:46,851 Every manager knows we'll be the ones who suffer the consequences 44 00:03:46,935 --> 00:03:48,394 if it doesn't go your way. 45 00:03:57,654 --> 00:04:01,115 Grayson's come in and spent 1.5 million on about ten players altogether. 46 00:04:01,199 --> 00:04:02,867 Some of them are looking good. 47 00:04:02,992 --> 00:04:05,119 The players are good enough to get promotion. 48 00:04:05,203 --> 00:04:07,747 On paper, that team's definitely good enough for it. 49 00:04:11,209 --> 00:04:14,504 Good afternoon. It's Sunderland versus Sheffield United... 50 00:04:15,505 --> 00:04:18,007 in this glorious sunshine. 51 00:04:20,134 --> 00:04:24,555 In the opening, couple of minutes here at the Stadium of Light. 52 00:04:24,639 --> 00:04:27,267 You've gotta grab the bull by the horns today, haven't you? 53 00:04:27,350 --> 00:04:29,894 People say it'll take time. We haven't got that time now. 54 00:04:29,978 --> 00:04:32,981 We've gotta start stamping our authority on this division. 55 00:04:33,064 --> 00:04:35,400 So many new players here for Sunderland tonight. 56 00:04:35,483 --> 00:04:39,195 That it's very much, still, a getting-to-know-you exercise. 57 00:04:40,697 --> 00:04:42,490 Now, Williams is down. 58 00:04:42,573 --> 00:04:44,200 It's a blow for Williams. 59 00:04:50,081 --> 00:04:53,418 And Sunderland have lost another game on their home turf. 60 00:04:56,462 --> 00:04:59,841 Every manager will tell you, get a result, and you can pick the same team. 61 00:04:59,924 --> 00:05:02,927 Through different circumstances of injuries, suspensions, illness, 62 00:05:03,011 --> 00:05:04,429 we’ve not been able to do that. 63 00:05:04,512 --> 00:05:07,932 It's always the first game you look to get off to a good start and... 64 00:05:09,225 --> 00:05:11,853 it wasn't meant to be. It was tough. 65 00:05:15,148 --> 00:05:17,400 Sunderland versus Nottingham Forest today. 66 00:05:17,483 --> 00:05:20,069 Ruiter's in goal. He's preferred to Jason Steele. 67 00:05:20,403 --> 00:05:22,071 That doesn't help anybody. I mean... 68 00:05:22,155 --> 00:05:25,450 I think I started the season, we lost one game, and I was off the team. 69 00:05:25,533 --> 00:05:26,993 What you meant to do with that? 70 00:05:29,620 --> 00:05:32,582 I didn't really expect me to play to be honest. 71 00:05:33,374 --> 00:05:35,460 Because we were in the hotel already. 72 00:05:36,210 --> 00:05:39,339 Suddenly, five minutes before, I get a text from the goalkeeper coach. 73 00:05:39,422 --> 00:05:40,423 It was quite surprising. 74 00:05:40,673 --> 00:05:43,343 Normally, you get a good preparation for the game. 75 00:05:43,885 --> 00:05:47,722 To be honest, for me, it was not an ideal way to hear it. 76 00:05:49,390 --> 00:05:52,352 It is what it is. That's why managers get paid, to make decisions. 77 00:05:52,435 --> 00:05:55,063 I've just got to keep training and get back in. 78 00:05:58,733 --> 00:06:03,654 Unhappiness abounds. It's not a pretty picture. 79 00:06:03,905 --> 00:06:06,991 You look all over the place. The defense is absolutely terrible. 80 00:06:07,075 --> 00:06:08,534 There's a lot of problems here. 81 00:06:08,618 --> 00:06:11,079 We'd all love to be picking the same team every week 82 00:06:11,162 --> 00:06:12,747 'cause it means the team's winning. 83 00:06:12,830 --> 00:06:16,376 When you're not winning, you gotta find a winning formula to get a result. 84 00:06:20,004 --> 00:06:21,672 Steele is back in goal, 85 00:06:21,756 --> 00:06:25,134 but it's gonna be a battle against a resilient Ipswich team. 86 00:06:26,511 --> 00:06:29,680 And a flick, and they score! Headed past Steele. 87 00:06:29,764 --> 00:06:32,558 And Ipswich lead after five minutes. 88 00:06:32,642 --> 00:06:34,435 Coming in, I didn't know I was playing, 89 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:36,729 but I felt really confident. I felt good. 90 00:06:36,813 --> 00:06:39,273 -They've scored again! -I can't believe that. 91 00:06:40,983 --> 00:06:42,026 It's tough. 92 00:06:42,110 --> 00:06:45,071 It's embarrassing. I tell you what. They're getting a lesson tonight. 93 00:06:45,154 --> 00:06:46,572 And it's gone over the line! 94 00:06:46,656 --> 00:06:48,991 Sunderland are a shambles. 95 00:06:51,411 --> 00:06:53,663 If there are many individuals, there's not a team. 96 00:06:53,746 --> 00:06:55,748 Is that basically what's happening here? 97 00:06:55,832 --> 00:06:58,960 I can't even say that, because we're a good group of lads. 98 00:06:59,043 --> 00:07:01,546 We all get on, we all wanna fight for each other, 99 00:07:01,629 --> 00:07:05,466 but it just seems... I don't know. It's hard to bear. 100 00:07:20,690 --> 00:07:23,109 We started off fairly well in the top six. 101 00:07:23,192 --> 00:07:25,445 And where are we at now? The bottom. 102 00:07:26,362 --> 00:07:28,948 Everybody's slating Simon Grayson at the moment. 103 00:07:29,031 --> 00:07:31,117 I really don't think it's Simon Grayson. 104 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:37,165 He's doing the best with what he's got. He's been given a bad team to start with. 105 00:07:37,248 --> 00:07:39,459 Fans obviously feel, "Is the club in freefall?" 106 00:07:39,542 --> 00:07:42,879 Can you reassure them that you aren't far away from turning things around? 107 00:07:42,962 --> 00:07:46,757 There's been some fans that say this club is unmanageable. 108 00:07:46,841 --> 00:07:50,845 Have you been here long enough to realize why so many managers of great pedigrees 109 00:07:50,928 --> 00:07:53,264 have come here and not been able to do it? 110 00:07:54,140 --> 00:07:57,643 Look, I'm getting an understanding of what's entailed with this job 111 00:07:57,727 --> 00:07:59,312 and what comes with the territory. 112 00:07:59,395 --> 00:08:02,398 Some have probably been foolish in what they've done in this job. 113 00:08:02,482 --> 00:08:03,608 Some have been unlucky. 114 00:08:03,858 --> 00:08:06,235 Hopefully, I'm a lucky one and a good one 115 00:08:06,319 --> 00:08:09,697 that'll be able to get a result that turns it around again. 116 00:08:10,156 --> 00:08:11,157 Thank you. Cheers. 117 00:08:12,074 --> 00:08:13,493 When you're a manager, you know 118 00:08:13,576 --> 00:08:15,870 that sometimes it's not always gonna go your way. 119 00:08:16,537 --> 00:08:20,208 It's a difficult stage of the season, and for me, professionally, as well, 120 00:08:20,291 --> 00:08:23,669 and for the players, and the supporters. We're all hurting at this moment, 121 00:08:23,753 --> 00:08:26,130 because we're not getting the results that we want. 122 00:08:32,094 --> 00:08:34,597 Welcome along to the Wise Men Say podcast, 123 00:08:34,931 --> 00:08:38,059 where I'm just gonna point out that the 17th of December... 124 00:08:38,809 --> 00:08:39,644 last year, 125 00:08:39,727 --> 00:08:43,272 was the last time Sunderland won a game of football at home. 126 00:08:43,689 --> 00:08:46,901 At the time of talking, it's October 2017. 127 00:08:46,984 --> 00:08:50,988 In that time, we have played Liverpool, Burnley, Stoke, 128 00:08:51,072 --> 00:08:55,034 Spurs, Southampton, Man City, Burnley, Manchester United, West Ham, Bournemouth, 129 00:08:55,117 --> 00:08:59,080 Swansea, Celtic, Derby, Leeds, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, 130 00:08:59,163 --> 00:09:02,792 Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers, and we've not won a game of football. 131 00:09:02,875 --> 00:09:04,252 Clocks have changed twice. 132 00:09:18,683 --> 00:09:21,102 -Good evening, everybody. -Good evening. 133 00:09:21,185 --> 00:09:24,897 Obviously, you know all these gentlemen up here, 134 00:09:24,981 --> 00:09:28,067 but briefly, Kevin Ball, Simon Grayson, Martin Bain, 135 00:09:28,401 --> 00:09:30,069 Tyias Browning, and Duncan Watmore. 136 00:09:30,403 --> 00:09:32,488 We're just delighted to be here this evening. 137 00:09:32,572 --> 00:09:34,991 We come understanding where we're at. 138 00:09:35,074 --> 00:09:38,244 Sunderland Football Club does not want to be where it is currently, 139 00:09:38,327 --> 00:09:40,162 either on the pitch or off the pitch. 140 00:09:40,246 --> 00:09:43,499 If there's anything what we can hopefully get across to you this evening 141 00:09:43,583 --> 00:09:46,627 before we leave, and indeed, you need to believe it, 142 00:09:46,711 --> 00:09:49,130 is that we are trying. We are determined. 143 00:09:49,213 --> 00:09:52,842 There's obviously an awful lot of apathy around the club at the moment. 144 00:09:53,718 --> 00:09:55,469 There's a lot of negativity. 145 00:09:56,345 --> 00:09:59,432 Who's actually leading the way to generate something positive, 146 00:09:59,515 --> 00:10:01,517 something we can hold on to? 147 00:10:01,601 --> 00:10:05,104 I'd like to think that those who give a fair opinion on things 148 00:10:05,187 --> 00:10:08,608 will look at the team and say, "You know something they are trying every way. 149 00:10:08,691 --> 00:10:13,446 They're not going through the motions of not caring for the football club." 150 00:10:13,904 --> 00:10:15,531 Does anybody disagree with me? 151 00:10:15,615 --> 00:10:18,284 -I disagree with that. -That the players don't try? 152 00:10:18,367 --> 00:10:21,495 And a lot of teams-- You're sitting or standing with the fans, 153 00:10:21,579 --> 00:10:26,125 and the fans are saying, "Certain players are just not trying." 154 00:10:26,208 --> 00:10:29,128 -They're just not trying-- -All the players on the club now 155 00:10:29,253 --> 00:10:31,339 want to be there for the sole reason-- 156 00:10:31,422 --> 00:10:35,301 To a lot of supporters, some of them just don't seem like they're trying. When-- 157 00:10:35,885 --> 00:10:39,597 There's a difference, sometimes, between trying and being less confident, 158 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:41,682 and having that sort of confidence knocked. 159 00:10:41,766 --> 00:10:44,977 We've had 20-minute periods of games where we've done really well. 160 00:10:45,061 --> 00:10:48,272 And all of a sudden, we make a mistake, you all go, "Here we go again." 161 00:10:48,356 --> 00:10:50,608 I'm not saying it's a criticism of supporters, far from it. 162 00:10:50,691 --> 00:10:54,737 I'm saying confidence plays a big part in the sport, and we have to restore that. 163 00:10:54,820 --> 00:10:56,489 From our point of view, what we see is, 164 00:10:56,572 --> 00:10:59,784 we get to the pub, it's half empty. The concessions are closed. 165 00:10:59,867 --> 00:11:03,621 You go for a drink in The Victory Club after the match, there's no people. 166 00:11:03,746 --> 00:11:06,874 Everything seems to be getting on top of everybody. 167 00:11:06,957 --> 00:11:10,252 If that's the case, what could we do then, apart from winning games? 168 00:11:10,336 --> 00:11:13,089 What else is there that we can do that would help, 169 00:11:13,172 --> 00:11:14,590 for example, fill your bus? 170 00:11:14,674 --> 00:11:17,259 If I had an answer, I would be knocking on your door, 171 00:11:17,343 --> 00:11:18,636 saying, "Try this." 172 00:11:19,428 --> 00:11:24,100 No, I'm just sort of trying get across to you what it's like as a fan. 173 00:11:24,183 --> 00:11:25,893 I think, stop kidding yourselves. 174 00:11:25,976 --> 00:11:29,480 If you think we're just worried about results, and results will change. 175 00:11:29,563 --> 00:11:31,065 We've probably sat here watching 176 00:11:31,148 --> 00:11:33,317 the worst football tournaments ever played. 177 00:11:33,401 --> 00:11:36,237 You're in charge now. You're the face of Sunderland AFC. 178 00:11:36,612 --> 00:11:40,032 So the question for you, what is your ambition for Sunderland AFC? 179 00:11:40,116 --> 00:11:42,910 -Not anybody else's, yours. -To change your attitude. 180 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,621 Is Simon Grayson gonna be given a chance? 181 00:11:45,871 --> 00:11:47,665 Can you sit there and say, 182 00:11:47,748 --> 00:11:50,292 "He's gonna be my man at the end of season"? 183 00:11:50,668 --> 00:11:53,045 It is a results-driven business. We all know that. 184 00:11:53,129 --> 00:11:56,340 It's results-driven for me. It's results-driven for Simon. 185 00:11:56,424 --> 00:11:59,135 No, I'm not going to... I thought I might get this question. 186 00:11:59,218 --> 00:12:02,722 I'm not gonna sit here and put guarantees on the table for any of us. 187 00:12:33,836 --> 00:12:37,006 It's been a dark place, especially the last few weeks 188 00:12:37,089 --> 00:12:38,674 with everything that's gone on. 189 00:12:39,341 --> 00:12:42,511 I think everybody's gotta turn into a positive, if you can. 190 00:12:42,595 --> 00:12:44,513 It's easier said than done at the minute. 191 00:12:46,307 --> 00:12:47,725 The one thing we're trying to do 192 00:12:47,808 --> 00:12:49,894 is to bring the confidence back to the players. 193 00:12:50,644 --> 00:12:53,856 All the bad habits have reappeared again from the previous season 194 00:12:53,939 --> 00:12:55,441 or the season before that. 195 00:12:56,609 --> 00:12:58,694 Even the players we brought in the transfer window 196 00:12:58,778 --> 00:13:00,821 have still not hit the ground running. 197 00:13:01,238 --> 00:13:04,074 We need to get them up to speed with conditioning work. 198 00:13:04,533 --> 00:13:07,286 Outside men moving up and down the line. Don't just stand there. 199 00:13:07,369 --> 00:13:09,246 Turn to the middle as well if you need to. 200 00:13:11,499 --> 00:13:15,127 Cutting out the errors that are gonna really contribute towards winning matches 201 00:13:15,211 --> 00:13:17,838 rather than drawing them or losing them at this moment in time. 202 00:13:18,589 --> 00:13:20,925 Get up! Frog jumps. 203 00:13:21,008 --> 00:13:22,384 Get up! Drive! 204 00:13:26,889 --> 00:13:29,433 What we've always said, this isn't gonna happen overnight. 205 00:13:29,517 --> 00:13:33,521 I haven't got this magic wand that will suddenly turn the club around overnight. 206 00:13:33,604 --> 00:13:35,981 30 seconds, that's all. Everything full tilt now. 207 00:13:36,065 --> 00:13:38,776 Move the ball quickly. Get the heart rate going now as well. 208 00:13:38,859 --> 00:13:43,405 It's like the Titanic or a big juggernaut you're moving around in a slow manner. 209 00:13:43,489 --> 00:13:45,616 And it's probably too slow for some people, 210 00:13:45,699 --> 00:13:48,327 but that's just where we are as a football club. 211 00:13:50,246 --> 00:13:51,580 We're in a bad run of form. 212 00:13:51,664 --> 00:13:53,958 We need to win a football match regardless of who it is. 213 00:14:09,139 --> 00:14:12,351 It's evident where we are now. We've got to fight for survival, and... 214 00:14:12,935 --> 00:14:15,813 while everybody at the football club can play their part, 215 00:14:16,021 --> 00:14:19,650 they can't influence what happens when those players run over the line. 216 00:14:19,733 --> 00:14:21,277 That's up to Simon and his team. 217 00:14:24,864 --> 00:14:26,532 Second bottom of the Championship. 218 00:14:28,033 --> 00:14:30,911 You've gotta keep plugging away, but that's not good enough. 219 00:14:30,995 --> 00:14:33,330 Simon knows it. I know it. 220 00:14:35,541 --> 00:14:39,712 It's just not what was envisaged at all. 221 00:14:39,795 --> 00:14:44,049 Simon and I had a conversation this morning on that subject. 222 00:14:44,133 --> 00:14:48,220 I'm not the type to interfere in Simon's domain. 223 00:14:48,470 --> 00:14:51,265 But it's a really, really big game at Brentford. 224 00:14:51,473 --> 00:14:55,895 If we don't win, we feel that, likely, we'll go to the bottom of the league. 225 00:14:56,395 --> 00:14:59,231 And when... You know, okay, we're nearly there, 226 00:14:59,315 --> 00:15:01,317 but if you hit that rock bottom... 227 00:15:03,068 --> 00:15:04,028 So we just gotta win. 228 00:15:04,737 --> 00:15:06,780 Sunderland boys are in town 229 00:15:06,864 --> 00:15:10,409 The Sunderland boys We are the cock of the North 230 00:15:10,492 --> 00:15:13,078 We hate magpies and boro of course 231 00:15:13,162 --> 00:15:14,038 And Leeds! 232 00:15:14,121 --> 00:15:16,332 We only drink Vauxies We never drink brown 233 00:15:16,415 --> 00:15:18,292 The Sunderland boys are in town 234 00:15:19,001 --> 00:15:22,087 We've got a manager who's only here because nobody else wanted to be. 235 00:15:22,504 --> 00:15:23,505 Simple as that. 236 00:15:24,131 --> 00:15:27,426 The only person who took the job 'cause nobody else fucking wanted it. 237 00:15:28,844 --> 00:15:31,805 We didn't spend much in the transfer market. Everyone knows that. 238 00:15:31,889 --> 00:15:35,726 We've kept players like Ndong, Koné, Cattermole. 239 00:15:35,809 --> 00:15:37,436 These players should be bossing. 240 00:15:37,519 --> 00:15:39,772 They were decent players in the Premier League, 241 00:15:39,855 --> 00:15:41,148 never mind the Championship. 242 00:15:41,231 --> 00:15:43,233 The way we're playing, that's not happening. 243 00:15:43,317 --> 00:15:44,985 That brings you back to the manager. 244 00:15:45,069 --> 00:15:49,406 Sunderland 'til I die I'm Sunderland 'til I die 245 00:15:49,490 --> 00:15:52,117 I know I am, I'm sure I am I'm Sunderland till I die 246 00:15:52,201 --> 00:15:54,203 The manager, over the last couple of weeks, 247 00:15:54,286 --> 00:15:56,622 I do think he has had the experience 248 00:15:57,247 --> 00:16:01,460 and the guys who could, I thought, do a job for him on the pitch, 249 00:16:01,543 --> 00:16:02,753 and he's left them out. 250 00:16:03,837 --> 00:16:06,924 Simon Grayson still has one or two of his key players on the bench. 251 00:16:07,007 --> 00:16:09,969 Gibson was playing well but seems to have fallen out of favor 252 00:16:10,052 --> 00:16:12,846 with the manager after his outburst earlier in the season. 253 00:16:14,056 --> 00:16:15,766 It's frustrating sitting on the bench 254 00:16:15,849 --> 00:16:19,728 and thinking, "I could come on, or I could make a difference here." 255 00:16:21,063 --> 00:16:23,315 And then not really getting a chance to do it. 256 00:16:27,111 --> 00:16:30,447 Sunderland are in their away colors, turquoise blue, 257 00:16:30,531 --> 00:16:33,367 and confusingly, Brentford in red and white. 258 00:16:36,453 --> 00:16:40,416 We're at the bottom of the Championship. We're so desperate to see just a win. 259 00:16:40,499 --> 00:16:42,501 Just win a couple of games, you know. 260 00:16:44,336 --> 00:16:47,339 A lot goes through your mind when you're stood on the touch line. 261 00:16:48,507 --> 00:16:51,385 Hopefully, the players will do the job that everybody wants us to do 262 00:16:51,468 --> 00:16:52,428 and desperate to do. 263 00:16:56,890 --> 00:16:58,058 Come on, Sunderland! 264 00:17:14,616 --> 00:17:17,411 Trouble in the middle, and the ball comes through for Watford up the post, 265 00:17:17,494 --> 00:17:19,496 and the follow up will be put away! 266 00:17:24,209 --> 00:17:26,962 And Brentford lead in by a goal to nil... 267 00:17:27,838 --> 00:17:30,257 after just eight minutes. 268 00:17:31,175 --> 00:17:32,051 Push in! 269 00:17:37,681 --> 00:17:40,142 Outside! 270 00:17:42,936 --> 00:17:44,605 Ball up here now to Grabban! 271 00:17:44,938 --> 00:17:47,274 Grabban's got an opportunity in the penalty area! 272 00:17:49,485 --> 00:17:50,986 And he slots it home! 273 00:17:51,612 --> 00:17:54,990 Grabban equalizes in the 12th minute. 274 00:17:55,074 --> 00:17:57,576 A cool finish in the bottom right corner, 275 00:17:57,993 --> 00:17:59,495 and Sunderland are level. 276 00:17:59,578 --> 00:18:01,580 Brentford 1, Sunderland 1. 277 00:18:01,663 --> 00:18:04,041 We are Sunderland! We are Sunderland! 278 00:18:04,124 --> 00:18:07,836 We are Sunderland! We are Sunderland! 279 00:18:32,319 --> 00:18:34,404 They're lined up behind the penalty spot. 280 00:18:34,488 --> 00:18:37,199 And the ball swept in here, punched over the... 281 00:18:37,699 --> 00:18:40,285 Punched into his own net by the goalkeeper. 282 00:18:40,994 --> 00:18:44,957 The goalkeeper punched in the air, dropped down over and into the corner, 283 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:46,875 and Sunderland lead 2-1. 284 00:18:49,586 --> 00:18:51,880 Watmore down the right, into the penalty area. 285 00:18:51,964 --> 00:18:54,383 He's gone down, and it's a penalty! 286 00:18:55,134 --> 00:18:58,595 Watmore nudged down, and it's a penalty kick to Sunderland. 287 00:18:58,679 --> 00:19:01,932 They may well go 3-1 up at the interval. 288 00:19:06,228 --> 00:19:09,857 Sunderland fans gearing up, getting behind the team. 289 00:19:09,940 --> 00:19:14,570 A chance for Sunderland to put this game to bed before the interval. 290 00:19:14,653 --> 00:19:16,655 It's Brentford 1, Sunderland 2. 291 00:19:16,738 --> 00:19:19,116 Grabban to take this penalty. 292 00:19:19,867 --> 00:19:22,953 The whistle blown, and Grabban comes forward here. 293 00:19:23,745 --> 00:19:25,664 He launched the ball in the middle. 294 00:19:25,747 --> 00:19:28,041 Brentford 1, Sunderland 3. 295 00:19:28,292 --> 00:19:30,711 Lewis Grabban with his second of the game. 296 00:19:31,587 --> 00:19:33,338 Half-time. The whistle has blown. 297 00:19:33,422 --> 00:19:36,049 Sunderland well and truly in the driving seat now. 298 00:19:36,133 --> 00:19:39,845 Is this possibly the match that is the turning point for Sunderland? 299 00:20:23,889 --> 00:20:28,101 We are Sunderland! We are Sunderland! 300 00:20:31,772 --> 00:20:33,774 We're about to get this underway. 301 00:20:34,942 --> 00:20:36,610 As the whistle's blown... 302 00:20:42,824 --> 00:20:45,285 And the referee's blown for a free kick 303 00:20:45,369 --> 00:20:48,247 to Brentford at the edge of the penalty area. 304 00:20:52,626 --> 00:20:56,088 We were talking beforehand about set pieces and corners... 305 00:20:56,588 --> 00:20:59,549 at Preston, conceding that free kick. 306 00:20:59,633 --> 00:21:01,843 And that was in a similar position. 307 00:21:16,149 --> 00:21:18,986 And now the free kick from Jozefzoon. He scores! 308 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:24,241 Brentford immediately pulled a goal back at the start of the second half... 309 00:21:24,324 --> 00:21:27,744 I told you. I told you 30 seconds in. 310 00:21:27,828 --> 00:21:31,832 ...lifting it over the wall, on the right-hand side, beyond Steele. 311 00:21:31,915 --> 00:21:35,168 It's Brentford 2, Sunderland 3. 312 00:21:35,252 --> 00:21:37,254 And that's the start what Brentford wanted. 313 00:21:37,796 --> 00:21:41,008 And that's the start what Sunderland didn't want. 314 00:21:41,091 --> 00:21:45,178 But once you put yourself in the position of 3-1 up, you should not lose the game. 315 00:21:51,393 --> 00:21:52,853 3-2 to Sunderland. 316 00:21:53,312 --> 00:21:56,690 Jozefzoon now at the edge of the D on his left foot. 317 00:22:00,485 --> 00:22:01,820 Fuck off! 318 00:22:01,903 --> 00:22:05,282 Jozefzoon has brought Brentford level. 319 00:22:05,365 --> 00:22:08,618 Brentford 3, Sunderland 3. 320 00:22:32,351 --> 00:22:34,061 Over here, man! 321 00:22:34,811 --> 00:22:36,438 Fuck off, man! 322 00:22:37,981 --> 00:22:39,358 Get over here! 323 00:22:39,733 --> 00:22:42,986 You're not fit You're not fit to wear the shirt 324 00:22:43,070 --> 00:22:45,864 You're not fit to wear the shirt 325 00:22:45,989 --> 00:22:50,369 You're not fit, you're not fit, you're not fit to wear the shirt 326 00:22:50,452 --> 00:22:54,456 In 45 minutes, in a crucial match, with where we're at in the league, 327 00:22:54,915 --> 00:23:01,546 we lose two goals, and you go, literally, from half-time, the world is great, 328 00:23:01,630 --> 00:23:03,131 the team are making progress, 329 00:23:03,215 --> 00:23:06,885 and we'll start to climb the Championship, to utter disbelief. 330 00:23:07,135 --> 00:23:11,056 Martin is someone who's very much gonna give managers time. 331 00:23:11,139 --> 00:23:15,185 When saying, "Sunderland in the relegation zone? Is Simon Grayson under pressure?" 332 00:23:15,268 --> 00:23:18,397 Do you feel more relaxed about it knowing you've got a guy like that 333 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:20,607 who is not gonna make a rash decision? 334 00:23:20,690 --> 00:23:24,820 I have a conversation with Martin, nearly every day, and we talk things. 335 00:23:24,903 --> 00:23:26,738 The conversation we had on Wednesday was 336 00:23:26,822 --> 00:23:29,783 we're both in this together, and we're desperate to put it right. 337 00:23:29,866 --> 00:23:32,369 He employed me 'cause he thought I was the right for the job, 338 00:23:32,452 --> 00:23:33,912 and his view hasn't changed. 339 00:23:36,123 --> 00:23:38,291 That's the worst second half performance 340 00:23:38,375 --> 00:23:41,503 I've seen from the Sunderland side in about ten years. 341 00:23:41,586 --> 00:23:43,588 Anyway, Ellis, get out. 342 00:23:43,672 --> 00:23:45,924 Grayson out! Grayson out! 343 00:23:46,007 --> 00:23:49,261 The club's round full of cancer, from top to the bottom. It's a joke. 344 00:23:49,553 --> 00:23:51,888 I would agree with Grayson out, like definitely. 345 00:23:52,764 --> 00:23:55,267 There is anger towards one man at the moment. 346 00:23:55,559 --> 00:23:57,561 Simon Grayson's the man in the firing line. 347 00:24:03,775 --> 00:24:05,694 Disappointing to say the least. 348 00:24:11,116 --> 00:24:12,200 I don't know... 349 00:24:13,910 --> 00:24:15,328 where we go from here. 350 00:24:17,456 --> 00:24:19,624 Today was a day when we needed three points. 351 00:24:22,335 --> 00:24:24,129 We have a manager who would first say, 352 00:24:24,212 --> 00:24:27,174 if he was here this evening, that he's not happy with the results. 353 00:24:27,257 --> 00:24:30,635 And he knows we're in a results-driven business. Ultimately, 354 00:24:30,719 --> 00:24:33,722 a manager is responsible for his team, and if it doesn't perform... 355 00:24:34,639 --> 00:24:39,436 I do see, in a sense, an environment that has changed, 356 00:24:39,519 --> 00:24:43,607 and I see lots of positives that are masked by, obviously, the results. 357 00:24:43,690 --> 00:24:46,193 Fundamentally, we're in the results business. 358 00:24:47,444 --> 00:24:52,157 And those results speak volumes. 359 00:24:53,575 --> 00:24:57,412 There's a heavy weight of responsibility on my shoulders in terms of... 360 00:24:58,997 --> 00:25:00,207 where we go from here. 361 00:25:15,472 --> 00:25:17,432 I keep saying, "I'll take responsibility," 362 00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:20,685 but players have to take responsibility of what they're doing as well, 363 00:25:20,769 --> 00:25:23,522 because they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing. 364 00:25:25,106 --> 00:25:26,566 When they cross that white line, 365 00:25:26,650 --> 00:25:30,111 it's very difficult for a manager to have too much influence on what happens. 366 00:25:35,700 --> 00:25:38,328 For 31 years, I haven't been doing too badly, 367 00:25:38,411 --> 00:25:40,288 but I know very quickly it can change, 368 00:25:40,372 --> 00:25:42,874 and you could be out of work for a long time. 369 00:25:45,335 --> 00:25:48,922 Ultimately, I want to prove to people I'm good at what I'm doing, 370 00:25:49,005 --> 00:25:50,549 and I'd just miss football. 371 00:25:50,632 --> 00:25:53,260 I don't know what else I'd do without football, to be fair. 372 00:25:53,343 --> 00:25:56,763 I won't be able to sit around, doing nothing at home. That's for sure. 373 00:26:00,433 --> 00:26:02,978 If you want to manage anything in life, 374 00:26:03,353 --> 00:26:05,355 there's three things you've gotta be good at: 375 00:26:05,438 --> 00:26:08,275 man management, motivational skills... 376 00:26:08,733 --> 00:26:11,236 and tactically or technically right. 377 00:26:11,945 --> 00:26:15,240 And unfortunately, I don't think Mr. Grayson... 378 00:26:15,949 --> 00:26:18,702 is top of the tree when it comes to those three things. 379 00:26:20,036 --> 00:26:22,455 We've been like this for five or six seasons. 380 00:26:22,664 --> 00:26:25,625 It's getting to a point where me love's starting to wane. 381 00:26:30,422 --> 00:26:33,592 It's a bit uncomfortable when there's a lot of speculation stuff. 382 00:26:33,675 --> 00:26:37,137 Can you say, categorically to the fans, you can absolutely turn this around? 383 00:26:37,220 --> 00:26:38,179 One-hundred percent. 384 00:26:38,263 --> 00:26:41,141 I've been through stages in my career as a manager, as a player, 385 00:26:41,224 --> 00:26:44,519 where I've had tough times and not quit. I stick my chest out. 386 00:26:44,603 --> 00:26:46,771 I had the balls to come to this football club, 387 00:26:46,855 --> 00:26:48,440 and show what I wanted to do, 388 00:26:48,523 --> 00:26:51,776 and trust my ability that I can make a good club great again. 389 00:26:51,860 --> 00:26:54,404 There's a lot of obstacles that have gotten in the way 390 00:26:54,487 --> 00:26:58,074 in the past, since I've been here, and other obstacles that I didn't realize 391 00:26:58,158 --> 00:27:01,244 were gonna be put in front of me, which I've had to deal with. 392 00:27:01,328 --> 00:27:04,164 And that's why I'll come through this hopefully very quickly, 393 00:27:04,247 --> 00:27:07,334 and we're all looking at a different Sunderland Football Club 394 00:27:07,417 --> 00:27:08,460 in the near future. 395 00:27:12,797 --> 00:27:15,550 Welcome along to the Wise Men Say podcast. 396 00:27:15,634 --> 00:27:17,719 We're literally terrified to play at home. 397 00:27:17,802 --> 00:27:20,513 It is the exact opposite of what it should be. 398 00:27:20,597 --> 00:27:21,598 No, but we are. 399 00:27:21,681 --> 00:27:24,184 We haven't won for nearly a year, at all. 400 00:27:24,267 --> 00:27:27,103 It's embarrassing, and it transmits itself to the manager, 401 00:27:27,187 --> 00:27:28,897 'cause he's going into a home game 402 00:27:28,980 --> 00:27:31,358 against the team that's bottom of the league. 403 00:27:31,858 --> 00:27:33,735 -The only worse team than you. -Yeah. 404 00:27:33,818 --> 00:27:34,986 It's ridiculous. 405 00:27:35,070 --> 00:27:37,781 Eleven games, and we've drawn four and lost the rest. 406 00:27:37,864 --> 00:27:40,950 So we've gone backwards since the start of the season. 407 00:27:41,618 --> 00:27:44,621 You can't just lose loads of games of football and go, 408 00:27:44,704 --> 00:27:46,706 "Well, it's relegated again." 409 00:27:46,831 --> 00:27:49,292 He's lost the fans, hasn't he? Generally, I would say. 410 00:27:49,376 --> 00:27:52,170 We did a Twitter poll. We'll have a look at the result. 411 00:27:52,587 --> 00:27:56,049 The poll was 1,175 people voted in it, 412 00:27:56,466 --> 00:28:00,804 and it was 16% "in," 84% "out." 413 00:28:01,554 --> 00:28:03,264 That's quite a lot, isn't it? 414 00:28:03,556 --> 00:28:05,266 So we'll be back, later on, 415 00:28:05,350 --> 00:28:07,560 after we've smashed Bolton by six goals to nil. 416 00:28:12,732 --> 00:28:14,192 Oh, dear me! 417 00:28:14,275 --> 00:28:16,569 Last time I've seen a win? Now, you've got us. 418 00:28:20,532 --> 00:28:22,367 Dear me, the last time we had a win? 419 00:28:22,450 --> 00:28:24,327 You can see tonight how quiet it is. 420 00:28:24,411 --> 00:28:27,205 It's been quite pleasant being able to walk to the ground. 421 00:28:27,288 --> 00:28:29,082 Not all of hustle and bustle. 422 00:28:31,292 --> 00:28:34,295 We're going into another must-win game at this stage of the season. 423 00:28:34,379 --> 00:28:38,508 We can't afford to drop any more points. Simon will say the same thing. 424 00:28:39,217 --> 00:28:41,636 It's crucial we start to get points on the board. 425 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:44,222 And Saturday could've been that point. 426 00:28:44,305 --> 00:28:47,684 Get a result away. Home game Tuesday night. 427 00:28:48,351 --> 00:28:50,770 Two back-to-back wins, and the thing turns around. 428 00:28:50,854 --> 00:28:54,232 But now, we go into tonight, and the pressure's enormous. 429 00:28:54,774 --> 00:28:57,110 I think, ultimately, we have to get a win. 430 00:29:24,179 --> 00:29:27,098 And as ever, it's the same old story at Sunderland. 431 00:29:27,390 --> 00:29:32,437 Half an hour, 31 minutes played, and Bolton lead by a goal to nil. 432 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:35,315 How easy was that? The goalkeeper's got to save that. 433 00:29:38,651 --> 00:29:42,989 At the moment, they just look so disunited, Sunderland. 434 00:29:43,072 --> 00:29:47,368 It's a team of individuals who really don't know what to do. 435 00:29:56,169 --> 00:29:59,172 Can Grabban get the ball under the keeper? And he does! 436 00:29:59,255 --> 00:30:03,218 Equalizes at the stroke of half-time. And Sunderland are level. 437 00:30:10,517 --> 00:30:12,268 The half-time whistle's blown. 438 00:30:12,602 --> 00:30:16,397 They go in mightily relieved with that at the interval. 439 00:30:18,066 --> 00:30:20,109 And so, parity restored, 440 00:30:20,193 --> 00:30:22,946 can Sunderland get their act together, in the second half, 441 00:30:23,029 --> 00:30:24,489 and go on to win this game? 442 00:30:29,118 --> 00:30:32,372 Second half is massive for Simon Grayson if he wants to keep this job. 443 00:30:32,455 --> 00:30:35,708 You heard the fans already when we went 1-0 down. 444 00:30:35,792 --> 00:30:36,793 They're not happy. 445 00:30:36,876 --> 00:30:40,171 You've got to look at the man who's sending the players out on the pitch. 446 00:30:40,255 --> 00:30:43,967 At the end of the day, this is a massive 45 minutes. Absolutely huge. 447 00:31:12,912 --> 00:31:13,830 Come on! 448 00:31:18,501 --> 00:31:20,044 Running onto it here. 449 00:31:20,128 --> 00:31:23,673 A cross ball to Grabban, and Sunderland lead 2-1. 450 00:31:23,756 --> 00:31:27,093 A lovely move. The best move of the game from Sunderland. 451 00:31:27,802 --> 00:31:30,889 Are Sunderland finally on course? 452 00:31:37,437 --> 00:31:38,980 Coming up to the hour mark. 453 00:31:39,355 --> 00:31:42,775 Swings it into the penalty area, but it's just straight up and under. 454 00:31:46,863 --> 00:31:49,490 -Brings it down and scores! -What a mess! 455 00:31:49,574 --> 00:31:51,075 What a mess in the back! 456 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:56,331 Within minutes to draw Bolton level. 457 00:31:57,749 --> 00:31:59,709 Can't believe what I've just seen there. 458 00:32:00,543 --> 00:32:03,755 -So Sunderland, again-- -Terrible defending. 459 00:32:06,382 --> 00:32:09,928 Just as they put themselves in front in the game, 460 00:32:11,137 --> 00:32:13,389 they shoot themselves in the foot. 461 00:32:17,185 --> 00:32:20,980 Approaching the final quarter of the game, what's gonna give? 462 00:32:28,947 --> 00:32:30,698 Hammers it into the bottom corner. 463 00:32:31,699 --> 00:32:36,621 And that was from their own doing, Sunderland. The calamity at the back. 464 00:32:36,704 --> 00:32:38,456 Bolton Wanderers 3-2 up. 465 00:32:40,667 --> 00:32:42,752 We want Grayson out! 466 00:32:42,877 --> 00:32:46,965 What is going through Simon Grayson's mind now? 467 00:32:47,048 --> 00:32:54,013 We want Grayson out! 468 00:33:02,355 --> 00:33:05,441 You're not fit, you're not fit, you're not fit to wear the shirt 469 00:33:05,525 --> 00:33:08,486 You're not fit to wear the shirt 470 00:33:11,322 --> 00:33:15,368 The shot from the gap! It's in the bottom corner! 471 00:33:15,451 --> 00:33:16,744 It's 3-3, 472 00:33:16,828 --> 00:33:20,456 and Sunderland have given themselves a lifeline again! 473 00:33:30,341 --> 00:33:33,970 The referee looks at his watch, and indeed the game is over. 474 00:33:34,262 --> 00:33:38,474 A stalemate. Sunderland 3, Bolton Wanderers 3. 475 00:34:07,754 --> 00:34:09,422 I have a short statement to read. 476 00:34:10,214 --> 00:34:13,426 "Sunderland FC have parted company with manager, Simon Grayson. 477 00:34:13,509 --> 00:34:16,471 The club puts on record its sincere thanks to Simon and his staff 478 00:34:16,554 --> 00:34:18,765 for their efforts during their time at the club." 479 00:34:19,265 --> 00:34:20,767 Short comment from Martin Bain: 480 00:34:20,892 --> 00:34:24,645 "Simon and his team have worked hard to achieve the best during their time here. 481 00:34:24,729 --> 00:34:28,274 We hoped Simon's experience in the league would help us to a successful season. 482 00:34:28,357 --> 00:34:31,110 Results have not been good enough for a club of this stature. 483 00:34:31,194 --> 00:34:35,031 For us to improve our current position, a fundamental change is necessary." 484 00:34:35,865 --> 00:34:39,410 No one from the club will be speaking tonight. Hope you understand. Thank you. 485 00:34:40,787 --> 00:34:42,038 Who's taking over? 486 00:34:45,833 --> 00:34:47,502 All right for you? Night, cheers.