I HAVE read about the unrest of some Sunderland fans with regard to the signing of Michael Chopra.

Maybe he is a Newcastle fan, but we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Have fans forgotten what our "Messiah" - Bob Stokoe - did for our beloved club? After all, he was black and white, like Bob Moncur, Brian "Pop" Robson, Ron Guthrie and a few more who could be mentioned.

What I say is, give the lad a chance and he may score 20 to 25 goals for us. I honestly think he will not blot his copybook like Lee Clark.

Fred Howcroft, Belmont, Durham.