Today, as you must be aware, David Simms, Mike O’Connor and David Matsos have left the Sheffield Steelers, seemingly as a protest against owner Bob Phillips, and an attempt to force a change of ownership.

Now then, no problem with that, I commend their honour and pride.

What I have a problem with is Steeltalk. According to the top banner, the forum is unofficial and independent from the Steelers. So explain this, from board admin Mark Mettam:

“Folks , In view of the latest news I am locking the forum down for a
while until I get chance to speak to the management to find out what is
happening , I dont want the board full of damaging rumour and
speculation . I will post an update as soon as I can.”

I’d have no problem if it was run by the club. But a couple of weeks ago it was made very definite that it wasn’t, and that it was unofficial. So why should we be censored in what we say? In the interests of the club? Ah yes, Bob Phillips hasn’t already come out and knackered that in the past few months with some of his comments, has he?

Again, I would agree if it was an official forum. But it isn’t. So by making a comment as such, it smacks of inside intererence. You cannot ban free speech and independent thought. If you were an official outlet you might moderate some comments, but remeber: you’re not.

What absolute twaddle this whole lark is, I wash my hands of it.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has signed midfielder Cristian Riveros from Cruz Azul on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old Paraguay international has made 45 appearances for his country and will represent the side at the World Cup in South Africa next month.

“He is a very creative midfielder and a player that will enhance our attacking options,” Bruce said.

I have no idea who he is, to be frank with you. However, two years ago Bruce tried to sign him for Wigan and was quoted £12m. This time its meant to have cost him a lot less.

I trust Bruce’s transfer policy. He had a proven track record at Wigan with plucking south Americans and making them great – see Palacios, Valencia, Figueroa, and discovering Rodallega. Lets hope this is another one, we’re in dire need for an out and out winger who can put a ball in.

As for the settling in factor, which Bruce always brings up, I’m hopeful that having Paulo Da Silva there will help him settle quicker.

Early days I know, but I can only see positives in this deal so far.

Sunderland took the lead after 8 minutes, with Kenwyne Jones’ shot taking a big deflection of ex-Cat Jody Craddock before going in.

2 minutes later it was 1-1, Alan Hutton bringing Matt Jarvis down in the box and Kevin Doyle putting away the penalty.

It stayed like that until 12 minutes from time, when Adlene Guedioura fired in Wolves’ winner.

Michael Turner was sent off for two yellow cards, as was substitute Jack Colback, who was a bit over-eager on his return from Ipswich.

It was a bit poor really, especially the second half, where clearly nobody was interested, at least in a red and white shirt.

In a move meant to irritate and shock, officials from the Sheffield Steelers met with counterparts from the NHL side Florida Panthers to discuss a never-seen-before talent exchange.

Talks are afoot to swap players and coaches, to give the Steelers NHL experience and to give the Panthers a season off.

Officials from the UK’s Panthers, in Nottingham, are said to be seething, and are looking at doing the same with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and switching sports.

This post is for Steelerblackmore straight from cloud cuckoo land, bless his/her little cotton socks

Matt Jarvis will return in midfield for Wolves after having a thigh strain.

Last Wolves XVIII (L1-3 v Portsmouth, a): Hahnemann; Zubar, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi, Foley (Guedioura 78), Henry, Mancienne (Ebanks-Blake 56), David Jones, Mujangi Bia (Iwelumo 46), Doyle. Subs not used: Ikeme, Edwards, Stearman, Milijas.

Sunderland welcome back Alan Hutton from his silly suspension, who’ll play the last game of his loan before hopefully joining on a permanent basis. Lee Cattermole dislocated his shoulder in training so will miss the game, as will David Meyler who tore cruciate ligaments against Man United last weekend.

Last Sunderland XVIII (L0-1 v Man Utd, h): Gordon; Bardsley, Turner, Mensah (Kilgallon 17), Richardson, Henderson (Jones 74), Meyler (Cattermole 37), Cana, Malbranque, Campbell, Bent. Subs not used: Carson, Ferdinand, Zenden, Da Silva.

PREDICTION:

I couldn’t care less, end of season, we’re safe, it doesn’t mean anything…hmm. I’ll be watching Chelsea or United I imagine.

Goalkeepers

#1 Craig Gordon:
Well, he’s finally started to pay some of that £9m back. After a very uncertain first season, and last year’s injury, this season has been a belter for Scotland’s number one. His broken arm against Tottenham kept him out for three months, but upon his return his form was still the same. Very pleased for the lad. A

#32 Marton Fulop:
The boy is very unlucky to have to play second fiddle to anyone. As proved while Gordon was out, he is a very good goalkeeper, and was very unlucky to be the keeper who conceded 7 at Stamford Bridge (although in fairness he’s not the only one this season). He’s going to leave in the summer, I wish him all the best because he’s got a great attitude and is a great keeper. B

#24 Trevor Carson:
Hasn’t played for the first team, unfair to judge. U

DEFENDERS
#2 Phil Bardsley:
In his defence, he’s been played all over the defence this season, plugging holes and digging in, which is to his credit. But while he’s a competant defender, we need more than competant these days. Plus, he’s not the best going forward, which has been shown up with the signature of Alan Hutton. Would be very useful cover, but I wouldn’t be desperately upset if he decided to leave. C

#3 George McCartney:
I was one of those who questioned him returning (as I’ve written before I’m not a great believer in going back) and he hasn’t done much this season to prove otherwise to me. He’s missed the second half of the season through one reason or another, and while decent cover he’s another I think we need to be bettering to progress. D

#4 Michael Turner:
Up until christmas I was glad we only paid a paltry figure (anywhere between £2m and £4m depending on your paper of choice) for him, as he didn’t seem like the assured, sound, solid defender Bruce made him out to sound like. After his 4 game absense after his red card against Man City, though, he has been the backbone of the defence, and we would be a poorer team without him, thats for sure. B

#5 Anton Ferdinand:
Shocking season, when he played. Until his switch to left back, where he can’t cause much trouble and any mistakes he makes can be covered easier than if he’s in the middle. Having said that, I much prefer him on the bench, where he can do a job for the last ten minutes, or keep the bench warm for the others. I do not rate him one bit. D-

#6 Nyron Nosworthy:
With the defenders we had at the start of the season, he was adequate cover at right back and in the centre (obviously with Nyron being Nyron its hard to trust him with a starting berth – see Ferdinand). But with the players we signed – Mensah, Hutton, Kilgallon – he was surplus to requirements. Went out on loan to Sheffield United, and it could be a good permanent move for him, keep him in red and white I say – just not ours. Actually didn’t do much wrong this season, just isn’t good enough for a push up the table. D

#6 Alan Hutton:
What a signing. Don’t think its any coincidence his signing signalled the change in fortune for the club. He brings the best out of Henderson, he can attack, he can defend, great player who’s sadly stuck behind Vedran Corluka at Spurs. If only he could shoot. Brucey sign him up, Brucey Brucey sign him up. B+

#12 John Mensah:
He is a great defender. When fit. He is a great leader. When fit. He is the benchmark for the quality of player we should be signing in the future. When fit. Its his only problem. In fairness if he could stay fit we wouldn’t have had a chance of loaning him from Lyon. You couldn’t justify a huge transfer fee for him though, any more than £2m is a con. Great player though, when he plays he’s the best defender we’ve got. A- for talent, F for lack of fitness.

#15 Danny Collins:
I still don’t know why he left. He could have had a full season at left back, and would have fitted in well, you know having been our most consistent player for the last two years. But Bruce decided he was surplus to requirements so he moved to Stoke, where he’s spent half the season on the bench. Ho hum. D-

#22 Paulo Da Silva:
Plays everywhere except he’s supposed to. He’s a canny defender actually, and now he’s had his adjustment season could be very useful next season. Not far off Mensah’s quality I reckon. Needs to prove it next season though. C

#27 Matt Kilgallon:
Limited opportunities since his arrival, he’s a very good defender who needs a chance at a run in the team, could be very good for us in the long run. Not had the chances to show his best this season though. C

#28 Russell Anderson:
Rounded off his 1 substitute appearance in a red and white shirt by being released halfway through the season. Now at Derby where they seem to like him. U here because he didn’t play this season.

#33 Michael Liddle:
No grading due to no appearance. U

MIDFIELDERS

#7 Carlos Edwards:
No appearance before being sold to Ipswich. Not good enough for the Premier I’m afraid, thanks for the memories Carlos. U

#7 Boudewijn Zenden:
Much more like it. Quality player signing for Sunderland? I thought we had another Dwight on our hands with this one, but Zenden – albeit from the bench – has proved his worth, especially with that volley against Spurs. Definitely worth another year, still a great player. B-

#8 Steed Malbranque:
I thought it was going to be the same from Malbranque. Great build up play, no end product. He fell out of favour with Bruce, got bollocked for breaking curfew, and looked like he was going to be exiled. Then all of a sudden, he comes back against Bolton, picks out three assists, and looks a completely different player. He’d be the first name on the teamsheet for me now. But due to the dire first half of the season he had, only a C.

#10 Kieran Richardson:
Well he’s supposed to be a midfielder. His best games this season have come from left back, where I think he’s most dangerous as the kid can defend AND bomb forward. Much more useful than his preferred midfield roles. Has to be a C though as he’s so inconsistent when playing elsewhere.

#15 Liam Noble:
Ungraded due to no appearances. U

#16 Jordan Henderson:
Last close season, I told everyone on the Sunderland Facebook page to look out for Hendo this season, as he was getting rave reviews at Coventry and he’s going to be a big part of the future. I was laughed at. HAHAHAAAHAHAHAHA. He’s been class for us, young player of the year, and there is no doubt that our team would be poorer without him in it. England right winger of the future, I guarantee you. A

#18 Grant Leadbitter:
No appearances before moving to Ipswich with Carlos and Keano. Again, not good enough for the Prem, just odd glimpses of magic. U

#18 David Meyler:
One of Keane’s Irish buys, he didn’t start his cause to win me over well by going in for a tackle elbows first at Portsmouth. Since then though, he has looked old beyond his years, looks assured on the ball and does Lorik Cana’s job better than Lorik Cana. See Henderson for the future, but obviously in a green shirt. Hope this injury isn’t bad. B

#19 Lorik Cana:
Started the season great. Battler, not afraid to put a tackle in, and stroked the ball around like Zidane. That all stopped when he lost Lee Cattermole and looked like a fish out of water. Needs to regain his confidence and his touch or he can pack off for me. C-

#20 Andy Reid:
He slimmed down over the summer and found some pace. Unfortunately he seemed to lose the ability to pass a ball. Still expect bright things from him next season though. D

#26 Adam Reed:
Ungraded due to no appearances. U

#39 Lee Cattermole:
When he’s fully fit, he’s almost perfect. Terrier-like, bursts forward, sticks his foot in, commands the pitch like a general. However, when he isn’t fully fit, and hasn’t got his natural burst of pace, it puts the rest of his game off. He could easily be England captain in 5 years though. B

STRIKERS

#9 Fraizer Campbell:
See Malbranque. Often used as a sub, he wasn’t making much impact. But Henderson got injured in February, and from the right-wing Campbell started to impress himself on games. After playing, and scoring, for a fair run, he got his chance up front, and excelled. Bent’s long term strike partner for me. B

#11 Darren Bent:
A********************************************. Bottom and down by Christmas without him, best striker we’ve had since Phillips.

#14 Daryl Murphy:
Noone could question his workrate. His ability yes, but he always gave everything for the cause, just not good enough for the premier league. Loaned to Ipswich and will likely stay there. E

#17 Kenwyne Jones:
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Some days great, athletic, agile, combatant and really up for it. Others, lethargic, lazy, not bothered, not interested and awful. Unfortunately, the latter are the more common. Needs to buck his ideas up, fast. C-

#23 David Healy:
3 sub appearances before going to Ipswich, wouldn’t be sad to see him stay there he’s done nowt. E

#28 Benjani Mwaruwari (sp?):
Gave Jones the kick up the backside he needed for a few weeks, not a long term answer for anyone, not surprising he doesn’t get in the City team. Has the passion and committment, but doesn’t have the legs to go with it. E

Ryan Noble:
1 cup appearance where he scared everyone on the pitch. Having scored goals for fun this season with the ressies, look out for him next season as he’s bound to make a massive impact. U for no league appearances

United never had to step out of second gear, we didn’t take the few chances we had, and they could have had a hatful if they had a better striker than Dimitar Berbatov.

It was a game where both sides were just going through the motions. United looked shellshocked from Chelsea’s walk through Anfield earlier in the day, and Sunderland looked tired and weary, and like they wanted it to be 6pm next Sunday instead, so they could think about summer holidays and possible world cup callups.

In truth we weren’t helped by two first-half injuries to John Mensah and a bad one to David Meyler, which cost us two substitutions, but United were in complete control and we didn’t look like we wanted a win.

The reigning champions showed their intent early on, with Wayne Rooney forcing Flash into a good save, with Phil Bardsley blocking the rebound from Ryan Giggs.

John Mensah missed a free header from a Jordan Henderson corner in the pick of our early chances, as we were pressing forward without really doing anything with the ball.

Giggs and Berbatov then missed good chances, with Giggs shaving the bar, before United inevitably took the lead.

Passing the ball through the defence with little resistance, the ball ended up at Nani’s feet, who instead of dinking the ball as he tends to do, put his foot through it and laced home past Gordon.

Our best chance of the game came soon after, a Steed Malbranque 20-yarder that was just about to dip under before Edwin Van Der Sar got over and produced a very good save.

In the second half it took the head of Kieran Richardson, the boot of Michael Turner and some more shocking finishing from Berbatov to keep the score down, but we have suffered much worse against United, so I can’t complain too much.

What I can complain about again though is the officiating. Steve Bennett was missing one thing today – his United shirt. Pathetic display from a shocking referee.

Premier League Player of The Year

I have a few candidates for this. Carlos Tevez has been twice as good in a City shirt as he was in a United shirt. Didier Drogba has been outstanding for Chelsea. Cesc Fabregas, when fit, has been superb again. But it came down to two players for me. Darren Bent has carried Sunderland to 10th by himself for most of the season. Good achievement. But Wayne Rooney, in what has been a very average Manchester United team, has kept them in the hunt for the title, won the Carling Cup and took them to the quarter finals of the Champions League. The kid’s the best striker in the world.

Premier League Young Player of The Year

Only one choice really. Having been blamed for many of his team’s problems in the past couple of years, this year his manager has kept faith in him and he’s gone on to propel his side to the dizzy heights of the top 4. Step forward Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.

Newcomer of the Year

Again, only one real choice. Great defender, and has popped up with a fair few goals. Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal.

Most Improved Player

From joke striker to England contender, this man has had to lead his team after his strike partner got injured very early on, and has done fairly well, with them now in a European final. Well done Fulham’s Bobby Zamora.

PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR

GK: Joe Hart (Birmingham City)

RB: Vedran Corluka (Tottenham)

CB: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)

CB: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)

LB: Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

CM: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

CM: James Milner (Aston Villa)

LM: Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

CF: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

CF: Darren Bent (Sunderland)

And now the Sunderland categories.

SAFC Player of The Year

Only one choice. Without him we’d be bottom. Darren Bent.

SAFC Young Player of The Year

David Meyler has impressed, but only ever one winner of this. England star of the future, Jordan Henderson.

SAFC Most Improved Player

Technically this should probably be Henderson too as he played one game last season, but there’s someone who’s picked up even more. For his previous two years, he has looked scared of the ball, scared of any conflict, and scared of moving. This season, I don’t know what has happened. Maybe a bit of competition has kicked him up the backside. No, not Kenwyne Jones. Craig Gordon, what an improvement.

Newcomer of the year.

Several contenders. John Mensah, when fit, has been superb and an incredible defender. Michael Turner has finally found his feet and looks a great purchase. Alan Hutton has been superb since January and hopefully will be moving permanently. Lorik Cana looked good until he lost his partner and lost all his confidence. Bent has been brilliant but we knew he would be. Fraiser Campbell’s finally come good. But there is one winner, and provided he stays fit will be an England captain in the next few years. Unfortunately he’s a smog. Lee Cattermole.

SAFC Team of the Year

GK: Craig Gordon

DEF: Alan Hutton, Michael Turner, John Mensah, Paolo Da Silva

MID: Jordan Henderson, Lee Cattermole, Bolo Zenden, Steed Malbranque

STR: Darren Bent, Fraiser Campbell

Send your opinions to liammccausland88@gmail.com

This weekend is our best chance of beating Manchester United in years.

An away win last weekend almost gave me a heart attack. A victory on Sunday teatime would probably kill me.

There was a signal of intent with last week’s win at Hull. A good performance, resolute defending, and 3 points. Crikey. Need something calming after that sentences.

So now we face last season’s champions, and this season’s runners up (or so I hope). Should Chelsea win at Liverpool at half past 1 on Sunday, United will be going all guns blazing trying to get the win, which should be great for a few counter attacks.

I really fancy our chances, and would absolutely love it if we could deny them the title.

TEAM NEWS

Sunderland will be missing Alan Hutton, whose three-game ban for his red card in the spat with Jozy Altidore was reduced to one on appeal, so Phil Bardsley will fill in at right-back against his old club. Lee Cattermole and John Mensah could be back in contention, but Andy Reid and George McCartney are out for the season.

Sunderland XVIII vs Hull (a, won 1-0)

Gordon, Hutton, Turner (Ferdinand 46), Kilgallon, Richardson, Campbell, Henderson, Meyler, Malbranque (Bardsley 46), Bent, Jones (Cana 60). Subs Not Used: Carson, Zenden, Da Silva, Mwaruwari.

Manchester United could welcome back Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand as they chase the title, and Gary Neville is hoping he can overcome a calf problem. Michael Owen (useless midget) and Anderson are the only definite absentees.

Man Utd XVIII vs Tottenham (h, won 3-1)

Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Macheda 79), Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra (O’Shea 67), Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Valencia (Carrick 59), Berbatov, Nani. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Hargreaves, Brown, Gibson.

Wearside Steel Prediction

We’re never going to have a better chance of beating them, unless we get better next season. In the Premier League era, this is our best team, and United are very beatable this season.

Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United

The 19-year-old, already at GB level, has joined Tony Hand at the Manchester Phoenix after seeing his options limited at the House of Steel with the introduction of the 11th import.

I think this is a terrible terrible mistake on behalf of the entire Steelers organisation.

To me, Farmer is a more exciting prospect than Robert Dowd, looks as if he can contribute more all-round, and is a very talented young man.

However, it would appear there’s just not enough room on the roster for him.

People on the forum saw that signing Farmer would have meant the departure of Jason Hewitt (6 import forwards, 3 Brits already signed), something the fans were not willing to see.

Personally I did not see it as a battle between Hewitt and Farmer, and would have happily had the two of them. I would have needed, though, a 5-import D and the departure of Mark Thomas, who has never impressed me.

However, we have to respect the coach’s wishes, and he’s decided he either doesn’t want him, or can’t fit him into the squad.

It does say to me, though, that Matsos doesn’t want to change things from what he knows……….

This isn’t very logical or reasoned, I just think we’ve lost a damn good player, and hope to god he doesn’t go to his hometown club of Nottingham in 1/2/3 years time.