by Susan Jardine
Newcastle United
What were your pre-season expectations and have they been met?
If I am honest I was hoping for mid table. So to finish fifth and get into Europe is fantastic.
If you’d been on the touchline what would you have done differently to your manager this term?
I don’t think I would have done anything differently. Pardew does his job the way I like to see it done.
Player of the season?
Fabricio Coloccini
Biggest flop?
Gabriel Obertan
Is there a player loved by your fans who other supporters may not rate particularly highly?
If I am answering from a Sunderland fans point of view they are not too keen on Steven Taylor, who I really do rate. I will leave you to guess why the Sunderland fans aren’t too crazy about him – the ones I have spoken to anyway.
Season’s highlight?
Thrashing Man Utd 3-0 at home.
Head in hands moment?
Probably the Carling Cup defeat at Blackburn when we came back from 2-0 down to lose the match.
Who are your realistic transfer targets for this summer?
Maybe another full back.
Bardsley has enjoyed an outstanding season.
Sunderland
What were your pre-season expectations and have they been met?
I think Sunderland fans were hoping for top ten, but after the start they had I think they will be reasonably satisfied.
If you’d been on the touchline what would you have done differently to your manager this term?
Which one – Bruce or O’Neill? If I had been Steve Bruce I maybe would have given James McClean his chance earlier in the season. If I was Martin O’Neill – maybe look to find Ji Dong-Won’s best position.
Player of the season?
Phil Bardsley
Biggest flop?
David Vaughan – very disappointing this season.
Is there a player loved by your fans who other supporters may not rate particularly highly?
Maybe Sessagnon – for me as a Magpie he tends to drift in an out of games.
Season’s highlight?
Beating Man City at home.
Head in hands moment?
Probably the home defeat by Wigan
Who are your realistic transfer targets for this summer?
Another full back is needed and also a striker. Hands off Papiss Cisse and Ben Arfa though!!
Rhys Williams points to a bright future at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough
What were your pre-season expectations and have they been met?
I think Middlesbrough fans were hoping for at least play offs so to miss out will be disappointing
If you’d been on the touchline what would you have done differently to your manager this term?
To be fair to Tony Mowbray he has had a lot of injuries to deal with – so has made the best of what he had available.
Player of the season?
Rhys Williams
Biggest flop?
I don’t know if I would call anyone a flop but at some point I would think they have all underperformed at times.
Season’s highlight?
Probably August – dream start to the league campaign.
Head in hands moment?
Probably losing to Sunderland in FA Cup at the Riverside or losing home to Leeds.
Who are your realistic transfer targets for this summer?
They need a prolific striker, someone like Jordan Rhodes from Hudderfield.
"Put your trousers on, yer nicked" The Sweeney scores for Pool.
Hartlepool
What were your pre-season expectations and have they been met?
I think Hartlepool fans will be reasonably happy with mid-table position.
If you’d been on the touchline what would you have done differently to your manager this term?
On the whole Neale Cooper has got it right- so I don’t think I would differ too much.
Player of the season?
Antony Sweeney
Biggest flop?
Probably Nobby Solano who just couldn’t sustain his level during games.
Season’s highlight?
Beating Carlisle 4-0.
Head in hands moment?
Probably the 5-0 drubbing by Wycombe at their place.
Who are your realistic transfer targets for this summer?
They need a prolific striker and a defensive minded midfielder to give them a better balance.
