I WAS really hoping that Sunderland would beat Spurs on Saturday for the simple reason that no one does misery quite as well as Harry Redknapp. When Spurs let one in his doleful features are a picture.

That Sunderland didn’t win was largely due to the fact that Darren Bent, who had a goal rush earlier in the campaign, is now firmly locked into the couldn’t hit a barn door with a shovel mode.

Still, it could be worse for Sunderland as their big summer signing could have easily have been Peter ‘nuisance value only’ Crouch who is definitely due a goal before Christmas.

Martin Birtle, Billingham