Magic Start For Martin O'Neill As Manager

A new era has dawned on Wearside with the arrival of Martin O'Neill whose appointment last week should herald the start of a more exciting and rewarding period for Sunderland fans . The Stadium Of Light has waited along time for an uplift but in yesterday's amazing win over a poor Blackburn side Sunderland fans had more excitement than they have had all through a desperate 2011.

Martin O'Neill was right to call the experience of his first game in charge a "dream" as with only six minutes remaining on the clock and his team trailing Blackburn by a goal to nil despite having 80% possesion in the most one sided second half ever seen at the SOL first David Vaughan and then Seb Larrson produced wonder strikes to grab a most unlikely and desperately needed three points.



O'Neill said after the game "Even in my wildest dreams I didn't think we would win in those circumstances.", but it was the manager's willingness to introduce 22 year old substitute James McClean with fifteen minutes remaining that provided the impetus for The Black Cats to raise their game . McClean was signed from Derry City for £350 000 in August but had not played under Steve Bruce , however he showed no nerves and was in the thick of the action for the last fifteen minutes delivering some great crosses from the left wing.

Whilst it is important not to get too carried away after a hard fought win over a Blackburn team who look set for the drop, there is no doubt that it was a huge victory given the importance of starting the O'Neill era on a positive note.

Sunderland now face a trio of difficult games in December with away trips to Spurs and QPR followed by a Boxing Day home game with Everton. The New Year also brings with it the Premier League leaders as Manchester City visit the Stadium Of Light for and Sunderland will have performed really well not to be back in the bottom three after the next four games.

O'Neill has made it clear that there have been no discussions as yet with Chairman Ellis Short regarding funds for the January transfer window but given the lack of experienced forwards at his disposal it would be astonishing if a striker was not brought in . O'Neill is still very much getting to know the Club , and last week he refused to rule out the possibility that Asamoah Gyan could return from his loan spell at Al Ain but there seems little enthusiasm from Gyan to return and a comeback would not be welcomed by the fans who had to endure some very half hearted performances from the Ghana striker during 2011.

With Fraizer Campbell due to return from long term injury shortly , striking options should increase but the acquisition of an experienced striker will surely be top of O'Neill's wishlist for 2012.
A magic start for O'Neill and optimism has returned , Ellis Short must be asking himself why he did not get rid of Steve Bruce earlier.