Riverside 25th anniversary event

[parmoboy]

Anyone else attend?

It was an enjoyable night. Downing, Leadbitter and Steve Vickers were the special guests, with Beck and Fjortoft appearing via video link. Anthony Vickers was also there promoting his new book.

Fjortoft was good craic. Gordon Cox tried to ask Beck about his relationship with Ravanelli but Beck was reluctant to answer, so Fjortoft basically revealed that Rav used to complain about having to play alongside Beck, saying that he'd prefer to start alongside Fjortoft. Gordon Cox defended Beck, saying that it was Becks' movement which dragged defenders out position, and that created the space for Ravanelli.

Onto Grant and Stewy, Grant spoke about how he refused to give interviews etc after returning for the Birmingham game, but said it meant so much to him receiving the reception he received, especially considering he's a Sunderland supporter. I got a photo with him and he came across as a really shy lad but very humble.

Inevitably, somebody asked about Karanka. Downing was reluctant to get into it but Leadbitter defended Karanka, saying he was a top class coach and feels he played his best football under intense coaches, such as Karanka and Roy Keane.

Somebody in the audience said they felt we went up in spite of Karanka and Leadbitter said no, Aitor was top class and doesn't get the credit he deserves, but then said we had such a good dressing room that we were always going up.

 

[Erimus74]

Anyone else attend?

It was an enjoyable night. Downing, Leadbitter and Steve Vickers were the special guests, with Beck and Fjortoft appearing via video link. Anthony Vickers was also there promoting his new book.

Fjortoft was good craic. Gordon Cox tried to ask Beck about his relationship with Ravanelli but Beck was reluctant to answer, so Fjortoft basically revealed that Rav used to complain about having to play alongside Beck, saying that he'd prefer to start alongside Fjortoft. Gordon Cox defended Beck, saying that it was Becks' movement which dragged defenders out position, and that created the space for Ravanelli.

Onto Grant and Stewy, Grant spoke about how he refused to give interviews etc after returning for the Birmingham game, but said it meant so much to him receiving the reception he received, especially considering he's a Sunderland supporter. I got a photo with him and he came across as a really shy lad but very humble.

Inevitably, somebody asked about Karanka. Downing was reluctant to get into it but Leadbitter defended Karanka, saying he was a top class coach and feels he played his best football under intense coaches, such as Karanka and Roy Keane.

Somebody in the audience said they felt we went up in spite of Karanka and Leadbitter said no, Aitor was top class but then said we had such a good dressing room that we were always going up.

Didnt know anything about it Parmoboy, was it well attended?

 

[parmoboy]

Didnt know anything about it Parmoboy, was it well attended?

Yeah, it didn't seem to be very well advertised. My Dad only told me about it last weekend and went ahead and got us tickets.

It was hosted in the Legends lounge and most of the tables were full.

Very informal. The players had their own table at the front and seemed happy to mingle and sign autographs/pose for photos.

 

[Nero]

I didn't even realise or I might have popped along. It's good to see Leadbitter defend Karanka, especially after Downing's recent take. It just shows there's always more to things and it's about perception. That's not knocking Downing, he clearly felt marginalised by Karanka, but others would have thrived with him. I'm glad Leadbitter batted away the question about being promoted despite Karanka too! That side was brilliantly organised with identity and that comes from the coaching.

 

[parmoboy]

I didn't even realise or I might have popped along. It's good to see Leadbitter defend Karanka, especially after Downing's recent take. It just shows there's always more to things and it's about perception. That's not knocking Downing, he clearly felt marginalised by Karanka, but others would have thrived with him. I'm glad Leadbitter batted away the question about being promoted despite Karanka too! That side was brilliantly organised with identity and that comes from the coaching.

Yeah, to be fair Downing said he preferred playing under good man-managers, referencing Big Sam, O'Neill and Dagleish. Karanaka was an intense guy and probably preferred players who had intense personalitites, hence why he and Downing never clicked. Downing admitted that he was a confidence player.

 

[Erimus74]

Yeah, it didn't seem to be very well advertised. My Dad only told me about it last weekend and went ahead and got us tickets.

It was hosted in the Legends lounge and most of the tables were full.

Very informal. The players had their own table at the front and seemed happy to mingle and sign autographs/pose for photos.

Cheers parmoboy, I attended the recent big Jack reunion & were informed before the players were announced that we couldnt mix with players, have photos, or to have anything signed, there were 5 former players on my table so I was ok to get a few things signed but couldnt go around the tables getting autographs, photos, seems the 25 year reunion you could

 

[parmoboy]

Cheers parmoboy, I attended the recent big Jack reunion & were informed before the players were announced that we couldnt mix with players, have photos, or to have anything signed, there were 5 former players on my table so I was ok to get a few things signed but couldnt go around the tables getting autographs, photos, seems the 25 year reunion you could

Yeah, seemed most managed to get autographs and photos. I got a photo with Downing and Leadbitter. Downing at one point went across and sat at another table and was chatting away but Leadbitter mainly stayed at their table. As I said, I was surprised at how he came across, very reserved. They had a laugh about it during the Q&A, as Leadbitter said he was quiet and Downing replied "He's not, trust me". Probably one of these characters who came alive within the dressing room on a matchday.

 

[Nero]

Yeah, to be fair Downing said he preferred playing under good man-managers, referencing Big Sam, O'Neill and Dagleish. Karanaka was an intense guy and probably preferred players who had intense personalitites, hence why he and Downing never clicked. Downing admitted that he was a confidence player.

Big Sam actually had Downing in his best players he's ever managed team. I remember a Sky Sports programme use to invite players and coaches on and go through the best they've either played with or managed. Big Sam said Downing was outstanding, but was a confidence player and needed an arm around him. Karanka would never have done that, or even understood it.