CIRCUS performers and stage magicians practise their skills repeatedly until they are perfected, yet none are paid the tens of thousands every week that Premier League players receive.

Apart from the external motivation of money or pleasing the thousands of fanatical supporters, surely someone who considers himself to be professional is self-motivated enough to perfect their craft.

The derby exposed a serious flaw for Sunderland.

The much-despised Joey Barton floated corner kick after corner kick, from all four corners of the ground, under enormous crowd pressure into dangerous spots like a true professional, pleasing his colleagues and supporters as well as his own job satisfaction and causing anxiety to Sunderland defenders and supporters whereas we invariably failed to get the ball past the first defender.

If you were a knife thrower’s assistant in a circus act, whose equivalent would you want to be hurling the blades at you?

Surely a professional footballer should be capable of consistently placing a spot kick precisely where he intends it to go, giving his team-mates scoring opportunities and making the opposition nervous. The players and coaches are to blame and need to address this as a priority.

Ibrahim Thompson, Ferryhill

LAST week’s derby involving Sunderland and Newcastle United brought back fond memories concerning football club loyalties.

In the 1970s, and partly influenced by watching the TV series When The Boat Comes In, I decided to relocate my family to the North-East and in 1977 we moved from Derby to County Durham.

My son, who was then nine-years-old, was a fervent Derby County fan and Kevin Hector was his particular hero. On the day we arrived at our new home, and as the removal men were installing our furniture, my son took the opportunity to make some new friends with some children playing in the street. When he came home for his tea he was a fully committed Newcastle United fan. He still is however, we haven’t moved again.

V J Connor, Bishop Auckland

I AM certain that no one will agree with me, but isn’t it about time the derby matches between Sunderland and Newcastle were played behind closed doors, televised and shown later in the day?

This would surely avoid all the problems, trouble, police involvement etc that always happens. Revenue loss would be negligible and I’d rather watch the match in the peace, safety and comfort of our own home.

Geoff Gregg, Tursdale, Co Durham