Andrew Smithson says…
A good start would be fantastic so ideally I’d want a ‘winnable’ game — if there’s such a thing — to kick things off, and I feel the opening weekend would be the perfect time to go up against somebody in transition like Manchester United, Tottenham or West Ham United.
They all had poor results towards the end of last season and whilst I think they have the potential to come good in time, the process may take a while yet.
Sunderland, on the other hand, will be itching to get started, so taking on an out-of-form side early in the campaign whilst they’re still dealing with a hangover may give the Lads an edge.
Of course, if you’d told me back in the day that Manchester United would ever be classed as an ‘also-ran’, I would’ve struggled to accept it but that’s the reality currently. They’re by no means a pushover however, and we all know that we’ll need to be at our best week in and week out if we’re to make an impression.
I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to any particular opponent but I’m very keen to see how we tackle things in general. We have a very honest bunch and the club is in a good place, so as long as we give it our best shot I think we’ll do ourselves justice.
Oh, and if we can hand pick fixtures, could I ask for a home game on Boxing Day, please?
We’ll lose a lot of night time slots due to leaving the Championship, but match days around Christmas are still a brilliant day out!
Sheffield United v Sunderland - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
John Wilson says…
From memory, we quite often seem to get a not-very glamorous fixture on the opening day of the season, such as Brentford, Fulham or Burnley.
Of course, these are the games we should be going all out in to get some points on the board, but we’d all like an attractive tie at the Stadium of Light in the sun come August, so I’d love to see the Premier League champions get a taste of the Sunderland roar, or an Arsenal or Chelsea.
The first game at home is one of those unpredictable matches where a shock result is possible. The visiting team — not yet in any stride — think “It’s only Sunderland”, whereas we’ll be right up for it.
Unlike a lot of folks, I don’t want Newcastle; in fact I could say I’m not even looking forward to the derby. They’re too tense and with too much in the way of bragging rights riding on them to be enjoyable!
The games I’m looking forward to apart from those mentioned above are the ‘big’ names: Amad with Manchester United, Spurs and Manchester City, just so we can see with our own eyes that we’re back and that our children and grandchildren don’t roll their eyes when we regale stories of Premier League games of yesteryear.
We’re back! Haway the lads.
Malc Dugdale says…
While I don’t want to come across as a bit of a coward, I’d like at least one game in August which isn’t against the top four or six.
Maybe one of the other promoted teams or a club who are more associated with the middle to bottom half rather than those fighting for Europe would be best to get our feet under the Premier League table.
If we go into the early games and take a couple of tankings before the transfer window is even closed, that could have a big impact on confidence and morale, and could also put off prospective players from coming to help with our battle if negotiations are proceeding to bring bodies in by the end of the summer.
The initial games will likely not benefit from us having many new additions due to how the transfer window is timed and how it works too, although now we’re at the top level I’d like to hope we get our business done earlier in the window than when we were a little further down the food chain.
So maybe one biggish team in the first couple of games to test how we cope with the bigger but not huge squads — without it being Liverpool or Arsenal — would suit me.
A first game against Leeds, Burnley or maybe someone like Wolves or Everton alongside Brighton, Fulham or Palace would allow us to ease ourselves in and try our shape, tactics and adjust to the pace of the game.
The ties to look out for are clearly the derbies.
I’ve already pretty much given up on getting even to the home game against the unwashed, but if I can get a ticket as a non-season ticket holder, I will.
It may not be a result that goes our way, although if they lose Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in the next six weeks (both of which have been subject to much speculation) who knows what could happen on the day.
Bring it on. Can’t bloody wait!