Grayson: That Oakwell defeat was unacceptable

Manager Simon Grayson called Sunderland’s 3-0 weekend defeat to Barnsley as ‘unacceptable’ and claimed that too many of his players did not play for the team.

The Black Cats began the game well at Oakwell, roared on by 4,429 travelling fans.

But they never responded after falling behind to Ike Ugbo’s opener.

Sunderland failed to test Barnsley in a woeful secondhalf showing, with home goalkeeper Adam Davies only required to make one save.

Grayson said: “It is unacceptable to lose in the manner that we did.

“Too many players wanted to do their own individual stuff rather than working for the shape of the team and working hard for each other.

“Barnsley found it quite easy from the first goal.

“One or two need to take responsibility and work harder for the team. For 25/30 minutes, we were the dominant team, played really well, had some good opportunities.

“Against the run of play, we concede and, from there on, Barnsley deserved to win, because they did the basics better, they ran further, harder, put their bodies on the line.

“That’s what it is about – too many of ours didn’t do that after the opening third.”

The Sunderland players were given an angry reception as they left the field at the end of the game, something Grayson said he had no problems with. “Rightly so. I’ve no problems with that,” said the Black Cats chief. “We could have been in front but Barnsley hung in there, did what is required to win games.

“Theywonthesecondballs, scrapped and knew, somewhere along the line, they’d get the chances to score.

“It ruins my plans for the next two weeks – I hate seeing a team cave in. We have to make sure we put things right. I’m passionate about what we do and what the club means to the travelling supporters.

“We want to give them something to cheer about.

“It’s alright the players] enjoying the trips to Norwich, when it goes well, but when you’re under pressure, as we told them we would be because of how hard Barnsley work, you’ve got to dig deep and do what’s required to win. We didn’t.”