Deja Vu, a Q&A with the Roker Report

I wish I could put a finger on why it happened, I really do, but it seems to have just been one of those games where almost every single thing went wrong for us. Not that we can blame anyone but ourselves, it was just a very unfortunate and horrible night for the club. I'll go with your version of events, an aberration. We were absolutely gutted. I think that goes for every single Sunderland fan across the board, not just those on our site, and it really took the stuffing out of us seeing such a poor performance. We did think the game was completely winnable, and to a man, the team just didn't show up. Now looking back, we're grateful to have gone so far in the competition which we usual mess up, but it is still a wasted opportunity for us. That said, we do wish Everton all the best in the competition too.

The result sort of felt like a defeat after leading for so long, but when you sit back and look on it, it's a truly remarkable result, and one we can be proud of. Before the game I'd have snapped someones hand off for a draw, so we'll take it very kindly and move on.

Sometimes if we get beat (writing this before the Spurs game) it can be great to get immediately back on it and try to put things right. Conversely, if we win, the lads should be on a high and relishing getting back on the pitch at Goodison Park. I don't doubt it will have an effect, with a few tired legs on show come Monday, but I'm still of the old school mentality that these are professional athletes paid (very well) to run around a few times a week. Get on with it! I think there will be yeah. There's a few positions where have a little bit of depth such as central midfield where we can afford to rest someone if need be, so I'd like to see us do that. Martin O'Neill spoke recently of giving David Meyler a chance in midfield, and he's waited patiently enough for a start. Across the defence and attack we're pretty thin, so that should be as you were regardless of who we were up against or when.

Usually we'd say Sessegnon. He's the default answer almost for these sort of questions, but I'm going to stick my neck out (only a little) and say Nicklas Bendtner. Bendtner's been a class act of late with four goals in his last five games (I think) and is becoming an integral part of the team. Look for him to cause a problem!

Ha! Well I hope if there are any own goals they're all by you lot. As for the game, I'm going to predict that some tired legs go at it for 70 or so minutes before everyone subconsciously settling for a 0-0 draw. Which I think we'd gladly take to be honest given the last few games between us.