COLEMAN: PLEASE COME AND BOO US!
CHRIS COLEMAN has come up with a novel invitation for Sunderland supporters as the worst home record in English football history shows no sign of ending — come along and boo us. The Wearsiders’ losing streak at the Stadium of Light stretches back to December 17 least year, when Watford were beaten 1-0 in the Premier League. Jaap Stam’s Reading are the 21st and latest to make the most of another hapless display from welcoming hosts. A hardcore of 20,000 often angry fans have stuck with the club as it faces the prospect of back-to-back relegations for the first time. But Coleman (right) said. ‘Even if they boo for the entire 90 minutes, at least they’re still here, showing up for the team. They’re the ones who we’ve got to try and look after, and it’s down to us to change the mood. We’ve got to make sure that next time, we send them home with a smile on their face.’ Reading cruised to victory after the hosts were left to play the second half with 10 men when Callum McManaman attempted to con referee Keith Stroud by punching Adam Matthews’ cross into the net. He was shown a second yellow card. David Edwards put the visitors ahead and a quickfire double from Mo Barrow settled the issue before Lewis Grabban pulled one back from the spot. The Royals look to have emerged from their hangover following the play-off final defeat in May, and are making up ground on the top six after a single defeat in seven games. Defender Liam Moore said: ‘We sensed a bit more hope from Sunderland, that they thought it was going to be the day they won a home match. But when we got the first goal, it became the same old story.’