TALL ORDER
Schumacher gets a baptism of fire
STEVEN SCHUMACHER always knew he was going to have a tough start as Plymouth manager and the long trek to Wearside proved why.
Dan Neil put Sunderland in front, before Nathan Broadhead (right) scored the Black Cats’ second, with Dan Scarr’s second-half header not enough for Schumacher’s side.
Pilgrims boss Schumacher said: “It’s been crazy. The most I have slept since Monday is three hours a night. But the players need to see you in good spirits and I have put a good face on. It is part and parcel of being a brand new manager. I will go home and try to switch off, recoup and crack on again come Monday.
“I have been chucked in at the deep end. What young manager wouldn’t want that? I have walked into Stadium MK and now Sunderland, who wouldn’t like that? Two of the best teams in the division.
“We have enjoyed the challenge, not the result today. I feel confident we are more than a match for these top teams in this division. Even though we only took one point from those two games and I am confident.”
Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson was satisfied with the outcome and believes his team have shown great strength to claim two wins and a draw from three consecutive home games.
Johnson said: “It was proper entertainment. Both teams played a good part in an entertaining League One game. Plymouth are a good side, awkward to apply pressure, too.
“But this was the third game in a week at home – a really tough game and we have seven points from nine, we should have had nine.
“I am proud of the lads really. Four or five weeks ago people questioned whether we were good enough, and the young players, in particular, have come out really, really strong.”