Sunderland 'Til I Die Series 2 Review - 7 Ups & 5 Downs
4. Donald Dunk
It gets said a lot on shows such as these because the framing doesn't go to Marvel lengths to make clear the real good and evil in society. But never "feel for the owners".
The struggles and strains of the January Transfer Window made for one of the highlights of Series 1 of the show, but the Will Grigg saga that enveloped Stewart Donald's day in Series 2 trumped the cinematic sh*tshow between Martin Bain and Jack Rodwell.
As the deadline looms near, an offer is rejected by Wigan Athletic for their striker that Donald had already deemed ridiculous. He consults with Manager Jack Ross on the next move, and a figure is discussed that Ross very clearly notes the player isn't worth. The implicit is made explicit, if it was ever even the former - he doesn't even really want him.
Regretting some hefty promises that came from a place of inexperience as he conceded defeat on keeping current goal machine Josh Maja, Donald's desperation isn't so much worn on his sleeve as it is the entire bit of material used to make his shirt. He refuses to accept no for an answer in the pained knowledge that the fanbase won't except "No Striker" for the club's deadline day business, eventually adding two million more to the pot to sign the player the manager didn't really care about having.
He jokes after the fact that he probably won't have enough to pay the pizza delivery man now, flippantly bantering off seven figures as if it's less important than the two he'll pay the Sunderland fan to help feed his family.
Never feel for the owners.