Mark Ryan
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Articles by Mark Ryan
Points To Prove? The Sunderland Players In The Spotlight
Sunderland’s Dan Ballard during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday September 20, 2026. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images I’d agree with Mark — the centre backs omitted for Chelsea have a lot to do to get back into the starting eleven, but along side them I’d like to see growth and development from young Dayann Methalie as it’ll benefit both himself and the club.
Could Jocelin Ta Bi And Jules Ahoka Be Sunderland’s ‘Bolters’? Original
Jules Ahoka of Sunderland AFC during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Sunderland and Brentford at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, on October 28, 2026. (Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images Ta Bi caught the eye from his very first appearance in red and white. He’s a skilful and tricky winger with a turn of speed and seems to be developing very well in the squad. The rawness we saw at the start is going as he improves his all-round game.
2 Up, 2 Down: Sunderland See Off Brentford In A Carabao Cracker Original
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Malick Fofana of Sunderland (R) celebrates with teammate Dayann Methalie after scoring his team’s third goal with a header during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Sunderland and Brentford at Stadium of Light on October 28, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) Sunderland AFC via Getty Images Malick Fofana played well and is prepared to get stuck in defensively.
Don’t Worry… Sunderland Are Gonna Be Alright Original
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun Three little birds pitch by my doorstep Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou” Full disclosure: I am a happy clapper. And what you’re going to read is about the happy-clappingest happy clapping you’ll ever see.
Matchday Musings: Brighton Loss Kills Sunderland’s Positive Vibes Original
Coming off two losses and with just four points in the bank, the vibes were surprisingly good for Sunderland during the international break, and why not? We’d gone punch-for-punch with the two best teams in the country and had been improving with each game, but that upward trend ran headlong into a blue and white wall on Saturday. Despite playing for the final thirty eight minutes with a man advantage, Sunderland were toothless in the attack in a 2-0 loss to Brighton at the Stadium of Light.
Wilson Isidor: Why choosing Haiti could be one of the best decisions of his career
The cynic will tell you the only reason Wilson Isidor wears the blue and red of Haiti is that he wasn't good enough to wear the blue, white and red of his native France. The cynic is almost certainly right, but the cynic is missing the point. Why a player plays for one national team over another is irrelevant. All that matters is what they do in those colours, and so far all Isidor has done is be a legend in the making.
Wilson Isidor: Why Choosing Haiti Could Be One Of The Best Decisions Of His Career Original
The cynic will tell you the only reason Wilson Isidor wears the blue and red of Haiti is that he wasn’t good enough to wear the blue, white and red of his native France. The cynic is almost certainly right, but the cynic is missing the point. Why a player plays for one national team over another is irrelevant. All that matters is what they do in those colours, and so far all Isidor has done is be a legend in the making.
Sunderland In The Europa League: A Chance To Make More History? Original
Europa League branding inside the stadium ahead of the Europa League, league phase match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Wednesday September 16, 2026. (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images I have a feeling that we’ll do very well in the Europa League this season.
100 Not Out: Marking A Century Of Sunderland Games For Régis Le Bris Original
Régis Le Bris is a fantastic fit for Sunderland. I love his humility, the fact that he understands the city and the role the club plays in people’s lives. He is intelligent, perceptive and remarkably level headed when others seem to lose their heads. His press conferences are brilliant, so full of humour and insight. If I had to pick a match and a moment it would be the play off final. He won the tactical (and sartorial) battle with shrewd substitutions that have led to where we are today.
Why your next dental checkup is vital for health
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Sept. 22, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET It is one of the important dates Dr. Ralph Montalvo believes everyone should have circled on their calendars along with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and family birthdays: The dental checkup. “The average healthy patient comes in one to two times a year – and more frequently if they have some form of periodontal disease,” said Dr. Montalvo, whose practice is located at Advanced Dental Care in Tallahassee.
Sunderland’s International Break: Where Are the Lads in Action? Original
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 25: Brian Brobbey #19 of Netherlands poses with the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match Trophy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Tunisia and Netherlands at Kansas City Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
2 Up, 2 Down: Arsenal Grind It Out As Sunderland Rue Their Luck Original
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12 Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal and Noah Sadiki of Sunderland challenge during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Getty Images Can’t argue that we deserved better than that. Arsenal are the masters of the dark arts and they came away with three points having been outplayed for a decent percentage of the game.
Outcome Bias: Why Sunderland Fans Need to Embrace Risk Original
This was the moment. The culmination of an incredible season of comebacks. The instant that would launch Sunderland into Europe. The triumphant end to the wildest six minutes of the year and recent club history. But then Emiliano Martínez popped a hand up and stopped Habib Diarra’s cheeky chip, and Aston Villa stormed downfield to snatch away even the point Sunderland had earned with its unreal rally.
Matchday Musings: Le Fée’s Emphatic Penalty Delivers A Draw At Brentford
No Panenka this time as Enzo Le Fée converted an 81st-minute penalty to earn Sunderland a 1-1 draw at Brentford. It was only what the Black Cats deserved after a dominant but scoreless first half — with a goal disallowed — was followed by a largely Brentford-ascendant second half.
Matchday Musings: Le Fée’s Emphatic Penalty Delivers A Draw At Brentford
No Panenka this time as Enzo Le Fée converted an 81st-minute penalty to earn Sunderland a 1-1 draw at Brentford. It was only what the Black Cats deserved after a dominant but scoreless first half — with a goal disallowed — was followed by a largely Brentford-ascendant second half.
Flexibility Could Be Sunderland’s Strong Suit For 2026/2027 Original
HAWAY THE PODCAST! Have you heard about Haway The Podcast, the official Roker Report Podcast? We’d love you to check it out and give it a listen! At the end of last season, as it became clear Enzo Le Fée was best in the centre of the park, and our right-wing options were, well, not right wings, I argued many times that the best way to get all of the club’s best players on the pitch at one time was a back five. Something akin to this.
Sunderland’s Transfer Window Countdown: In Ghisolfi We Trust Original
I’m quite confident as we close in on the end of the window. Florent Ghisolfi and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have something up their sleeve — I can sense it. The changes to the squad were always going to be at the edges, not the core, and the priority was always improving the quality of depth. Adding Dayann Méthalie goes a long way towards that and he improves the overall flexibility of the squad more than many realise.
After 27 Years, A Dream Trip To The Stadium Of Light Is Days Away Original
NurPhoto via Getty Images Even though I started playing the sport when I was seven, I never had a favourite professional football team growing up in the United States. The NASL, which had once boasted Pelé and Beckenbauer, collapsed in 1984 when I was 10, and Major League Soccer didn’t start until 1996. Outside of going to a few indoor and minor league games, high-level football to me was the United States national team, the World Cup, and that was about it.
Reasons to replace an hour of sitting with an hour at the gym
The middle-aged man was in the final phase of his workout at the Planet Fitness on Kerry Forest Parkway in Tallahassee. Done with the free weights, exercise machines, and sit-ups, he was wrapping up with 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill machine. So moving along at a steady 3.0 miles-per-hour pace on the treadmill, earbuds plugged in to old Steely Dan, he was feeling good about himself, the way he usually felt when nearing the end of a gym visit. Rikki don’t lose that number.
Dangers of kratom abuse make strong argument for a ban in Florida
Mark Ryan Your Turn July 8, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET Florida has banned high-concentrate 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) kratom, classifying it as a Schedule 1 substance. While legal in most of Florida, some products contain dangerously high, chemically altered levels of 7-OH. The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use, and it is banned in eight other states. Florida is one of the most kratom-friendly states in the United States – although maybe not so friendly with some of us healthcare types.
Kristjaan Speakman’s 10 Worst Sunderland Signings – Ranked
Former Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is headed to F.C. Copenhagen, and while the club wouldn’t have reached its current heights without him, there are plenty of misses in the list of 57 players signed during his four-and-a-half years in charge. Let’s take a look at the ones that haven’t made the grade. This one is probably a bit mean, but he cost €1.5 million, it’s been two years, and not only has he not played for the first team, but he’s only made the bench twice.
Kristjaan Speakman’s 10 Best Sunderland Signings – Ranked
Former Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is headed to F.C. Copenhagen, and the club wouldn’t have reached its current heights without him. Among the 57 players signed during his four-and-a-half years in charge, some weren’t just hits; they transformed the club. After a constant struggle up top since the start of Ross Stewart’s injury woes, Sunderland finally found a pair of answers in Mayenda and Isidor.
London Southend Remains The UK’s Fastest Growing Airport
New figures released by the UK Civil Aviation Authority reveal that traffic at London Southend has surged by 247%, compared to the same period last year. To compare, London’s five other airports recorded a collective growth of just 1.5% in the year’s first quarter, while passenger numbers across the whole of the UK recorded an increase of only 2.3%. And the airport’s success isn’t just about attracting more passengers, it’s also continuing to deliver on punctuality.
Tallahassee gym goers share their favorite workout music Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist June 2, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET It’s all about the music at the Planet Fitness Northampton on Kerry Forest Parkway in Tallahassee. Optional carry-on equipment for fitness members are elbow pads, knee pads, wrist bands, head bands, personalized T-shirts, and water bottles – but earbuds are apparently mandatory. Virtually all gym participants are plugged in to a variety of music that helps get them through their workouts.
Would you go back to 1985? Even fast food is better in 2026 Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist May 5, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET Pretend, for a moment, that it is possible to travel back in a time machine. It’s 1985, and you’ve decided to get your own place. The $500 monthly rent for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been killing you – but the recent job promotion bumped up your annual salary to $35,000. (The median rent for a home in the United States was $481 in 1980 and $571 in 1990.
New background-screening law aims to make nursing, healthcare safer | Mark Ryan Original
During a short break in a busy emergency-room shift, the hot topic among nurses was the new background-screening law in Florida. The legislation (a.k.a. House Bill 975), which took effect on July 1, 2025, requires healthcare professionals regulated by the Florida Department of Health with very few exceptions to be fingerprinted as part of both initial licensure and – under the new DOH guidelines – at the renewal date of existing licenses.
Age of happiness? Oh to be blissfully young or older and wiser | Mark Ryan
There is disagreement among researchers regarding the age and stage of life when people are most happy. It is a complicated issue with many factors – but a number of studies have come to the same basic conclusion: Older adults are happier than younger adults. The following is from a Psychology Today publication titled “Happiness Over the Lifespan:” “The happiness curve refers to the trajectory that happiness tends to follow as we age. People begin life fairly happy.
The art of movie dialogue has been usurped by violence | Mark Ryan Original
Today’s moviegoers prefer more action and less talk. It seems not many people appreciate good dialogue. They might watch "Casablanca" if there was a gunfight or car chase.While the attraction for action entertainment is understandable, the trend for the inclusion of so many torture scenes is disturbing. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood have been featured in torture scenes in recent popular movies. In the "Taken" series original, Liam Neeson’s character is all about revenge – and torture.
How we get through the pain with humor when we lose a loved one | Mark Ryan Original
My brother Paul passed away two days after having an aortic dissection. He was pretty good guy … The longer one lives, the more experience one has with death and dying – and the better one gets at dealing with it.With repetition, it gets a little easier. It’s not anything anyone wants to get good at, but with practice emotions can better be kept in check, words can better be expressed – and the occasional use of humor (unintentional, usually) can help cut through the seriousness of the situation.
A few tips on how to baby-proof your home for toddlers Original
Security cameras, motion-detector lights, and dependable locks are investments some families make for extra protection on the home front. In an infant-occupied house, the safety actions taken relate more to subtle internal threats. Something as seemingly harmless as loose change, for instance, can result in a life-threatening situation for a vulnerable baby.
These tough old-timers stay in the game by going to the gym | Mark Ryan
Richard Gould is a tough customer in a weight room. In an age when whiny athletes clutter the sports arena, Gould, 68, is a throwback, a no-nonsense athlete who lets his training regimen do his talking. If John Wayne was still alive, he’d probably want to put Gould’s story on the big screen. He’d probably fly to Leon County and search local gyms for Gould. “OK partner,” Wayne would say after finding Gould at the Planet Fitness Northampton (Kerry Forest Parkway) in Tallahassee.
Finding the the right stride for gym conversation | Mark Ryan
He certainly wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He was just being friendly. The man was chatting with a young woman at the fitness center as they worked out on adjacent machines. He was doing most of the talking. It seemed she had little interest in the conversation he had initiated. It seemed she was answering politely and briefly as a matter of being courteous. Upon seeing himself in a mirror at the next machine, he wondered if the woman’s cool response was due to his outward appearance. He was older.
Letter: Bills should follow the Packers financing model
I am a native Buffalonian now residing in North Texas. I am sad our beloved Bills did not win the AFC again. I recently read about Buffalo Pro Soccer and the efforts to complete financing of their stadium. This follows the financing completed by the Bills new stadium (wish it were domed) that required diverse ownership. It made me wonder why the local sports teams can’t or don’t want to utilize the public financing like the Green Bay Packers.
Feeding baby: Four stages, from bottle to table food in 12 months | Mark Ryan
Some babies are born with teeth. That doesn’t mean they’re ready to dig into a hamburger or slice of pizza. Any parent with common sense would know that. But the protocols for feeding a baby can be confusing – and probably more so for the male parent (or male grandparent). The first six months is not complicated: all the experts recommend breast feeding as the exclusive feeding mode.
A few more stages of child development you may have witnessed | Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Children reach developmental milestones in how they play, move, talk, and act. The predicted ages for the milestones can be helpful in planning for parents. The motor milestone for babies being able to hold their heads up easily is about three months. Babies typically crawl between eight and 12 months of age. A baby is anticipated to begin walking at some point between the age of seven months and 17 months.
Nurse Monitor Program gave extra oversight to nursing home patients
Mark Ryan Guest columnist The breakfast tray on the side table had barely been touched. The nursing home resident was an elderly woman with multiple co-morbidities. She had slipped down from her pillow and was in a sideways position in the middle portion of the bed. "You aren't going to skip breakfast, are you?" said the registered nurse at bedside.
From Tony Orlando to Taylor Swift, music can be a stress reliever Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist It was one of those crazy days at work, but the stressed-out employee – earphones on now and music playing – seemed like a different person. Leaning back in a desk chair, he looked perfectly relaxed. “What are you listening to?” said a co-worker, interrupting the man’s break. “Tony Orlando and Dawn – he don’t love you like I love you.” “I remember that one – good one,” said the co-worker.
Picture books are building blocks to a baby's development | Mark Ryan Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist They’re not ready to delve into one of Friedrich Nietzsche’s works — but “The Cat in the Hat” would likely hold their attention. For babies bored with soft squeeze toys and cuddly stuffed animals that play music, a picture book by Dr. Seuss can be the perfect educational diversion. Child development experts tell us picture books promote language development and enhance cognitive skills in addition to sparking an interest in reading.
A refresher on gym etiquette for the Nautilus Machine Hog | Mark Ryan Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Making a reservation at a restaurant or hotel is standard practice. Reserving an exercise machine at the fitness center? That’s being selfish. This is the typical scenario: after completing one set on the biceps-curl machine, the person moseys off to another machine on the opposite side of the gym. However, before leaving the biceps-curl machine, he or she will leave a towel or water bottle on the machine bench.
'It was life or death': Heart attack raises flags about heart condition, stress Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Carmen Martinez Johnson knows a good day can quickly turn into a bad day. Getting stuck in traffic for an hour on the way to work, that can do it. So can receiving an unexpected bill or uninvited visitor. Carmen has had her share of bad days, but nothing ever set her back like the sudden change in trajectory experienced on a recent sunny afternoon: one of her coronary arteries popped open. Just like that – she went from the picture of health to a heart attack.
Breast cancer survivors stress early intervention in path to recovery | Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan Guest columnist They’re wounded warriors, like the patients they care for. Julie Wheat and Irene Njeru are two of the more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, a number that includes persons still being treated and those having completed treatment. They work as registered nurses on the same shift, at the same hospital. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. The disease and statistics are that scary.
My View: The night shift has many attractions but also serious dangers
If you favor more independence and a slower pace on the job, and don’t mind leftover pizza for breakfast, the night shift just might be for you. I’m in my ninth year working nights, and I don’t miss the meetings and micromanaging managers. The bosses are not around much in the middle of the night. They do their nitpicking during daylight hours. This is a good thing. Reading the meeting minutes instead of being in the meeting is also a good thing. But compromised health, that’s not a good thing.
Hey, Dude: Does everybody know your name? Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Communication protocols vary depending on the population and location. When one works at a prison, for instance, one learns early on that it is unacceptable to refer to an inmate by the inmate’s first name. Professional boundaries are of utmost importance in that environment. One doesn’t want to make it personal, and first names are too personal. Inmates are addressed by their last names – it’s Inmate Jones, Inmate Smith, Inmate Jackson, etc.
If possible, agree when you disagree: A few tips for better mental health | Mark Ryan Original
Mark Ryan Guest columnist He had well-formed opinions, but he felt the best approach was to keep his opinions to himself and just go with the flow. The man’s social strategy was loosely based on research at Oregon State University that analyzed reports of arguments versus reports of avoided arguments.
Raising the sticky index: It's too hot to handle at the rest stop | Mark Ryan
He’d heard about the droughts and wildfires, the melting glaciers, the expected severe hurricanes, but the reality of global warming had not personally registered until he needed to stop during an afternoon drive from Tallahassee to Lake City. After pulling over at the Mile Marker 233 rest stop on I-10 eastbound, near Monticello – where full-service bathroom options are currently not available – he was interrupted while preparing to enter one of the vacant portable toilets.
My View: Health workers risk their own health in many ways
The woman, totally exhausted, crawled into bed immediately after arriving home in the morning. She then slept for six straight hours before waking up to use the bathroom. Mark Ryan notes that sleeplessness is a way of life for many. After the bathroom run, she climbed back into bed, repositioned the pillow, and slept for four more hours. Then, in response to the sound of ringing, she rolled over and slept for another two hours. Woman’s husband: “She can’t come to the phone right now.
Jaundice highlights importance of newborn health screenings
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Lots of things can go wrong with newborns. Fortunately, lots of healthcare providers make sure things don’t go wrong. For Benjamin Azahares (my newest family member), the slightly yellow skin at birth turned out to be not such a big deal. He needed a couple of extra days of medical monitoring and follow-up treatment at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare before being discharged home. It’s common for newborns to develop mild jaundice.
Early vaccine developer has a passion for saving lives | Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Pretend, for a moment, that Stanley Plotkin had been the news anchor reporting on COVID-19 developments at your favorite television station the past two years. What he lacked in showmanship, he would have made up for in science credibility.
What's the best job? Intense health care field delivers moments of sheer joy | Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan Guest columnist Medical professionals can be found throughout the rankings in the U.S. News and World Report’s “100 Best Jobs of 2023. The media company ranks software engineer, with a median salary of $120,730 as the No. 1 best job, with nurse practitioner the runner-up at a salary of $120,680, and many other high-salaried medical professions making the list — physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, orthodontists, and physician assistants.
My View: Tears for a loved one are a good thing
For Anabel, life after Norka has been a struggle. Norka Perez, Anabel’s mother, passed away at the age of 92 several months ago, almost three years after being diagnosed with colon cancer. The prognosis at the time of diagnosis had been 10 days to three months. Anabel embraces the time she spent with her mother, although the hugs and kisses have been replaced by handkerchiefs and tissues.
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