Apology

On the 3^rd February 2007 I wrote a piece for this very column titled "Promotion. A Good Thing?" Yes, I was a doubter. Looking back, this was probably when people started to realise the magic roy-volution that was occurring. I was sceptical, thinking it was too soon to gain promotion.

However, since that shocking display of doubt was written Quinny and Keano have quashed every doubt that I had. No longer am I worried about survival, its how high we finish.

With the season finished, and Sunderland taken from 23^rd to 1^st in a matter of 41 matches, we can all look forward to a summer scouring the tabloids, rumour mills and relying on hear say about potential new signings. Expect links to Celtic, ManYoo and obviously Ireland. Every player Keane has played with will be linked with a move to the SOL. But isn't it exciting?

Last time we won the Championship under Irish Mick we were being linked with, and signing, distinctly average Championship players and below par Premiership players. Now the likes of Gravesen, Nugent and Robbie Keane have all been mentioned.

Sunderland AFC now seems like a truly professional club. All the right noises can be heard from the SOL and optimism is high. It just shows how class Keane is by the fact that winning the second tier in English football wasn't much of an achievement; it was getting back to where we belong.

Next season promises to be exciting. A lot of the teams in the Premiership now seem beatable. With teams like Spurs, the Smoggies, the Scum and Villa all underachieving, we could pounce. I am not looking at beating the big guns, although that would be ace to see Ferguson's face, but we need to beat the teams around us. A mid-table, lower half end of season position would please me. But like I said, maybe I am being pessimistic.