Roo Blue it!
WAZZA’S WINLESS AFTER FIVE MATCHES AT THE STADIUM OF LIGHT
WAYNE ROONEY’S winless run has stretched to an embarrassing five games.
Publicity magnet Rooney was supposed to catapult Birmingham City into a new era and attract eyeballs on the club.
Blues were fifth when former coach John Eustace was fired after two wins.
But Rooney has yet to find a way of combining fascination with his life and his rookie managerial career with a system that works on the field.
Four defeats and a draw since taking the City job has left Rooney red-faced.
The St Andrew’s boss said: “We are seeing improvements. We need to start picking up results.
“We can reflect now and do fitness work because we need to keep pressing for 90 minutes. This fortnight is a good chance to work and get some positive results.
“The opposition we have played have been very good teams. The first couple of games were not good enough.
“We gave lots of info to the players and a change to what they have been doing.”
Sunderland snatched midfielder Jobe Bellingham from City and he scored in his first appearance against his former club.
Jack Clarke swung in a corner flicked on by Nazariy Rusyn and Bellingham tucked it away. He was denied a second by the inside of the post. Gaffer Rooney was fuming but mellowed when Koji Miyoshi finished Jay Stansfield’s pass. Blues came close to another when Niall Huggins cleared off the line from Stansfield. Sunderland clawed ahead when Trai Hume headed across goal and the ball was bundled into his own goal by City defender Dion Sanderson. It was three when Clarke jinked to the byline and crossed for sub Adil Aouchiche to crash home. Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray said: “We played on the front foot, but got a bit sloppy turning the ball over. They are good kids and work hard.” SUNDERLAND: Patterson 7; Hume 7, Triantis 7, Seelt 7, Huggins 7; Ekwah 7, Roberts 7 (Mayenda (73) 6), Neil 7, Bellingham 8 (Aouchiche (73) 7), Clarke 8 (Burstow (88) 6); Rusyn 7 (Ba (61) 7) BIRMINGHAM: Ruddy 6; Laird 6, Sanderson 5, Aiwu 5, Drameh 5; James 5 (Dembele (71) 5), Sunjic 5; Miyoshi 7 (Gardner (83) 5), Burke 6 (Hogan (77) 5), Bacuna 5; Stansfield 6 (Jutkiewicz (77) 5) STAR MAN: Jack Clarke – constant threat and delivery which delivers goals. REF: Dean Whitestone 7