Thing to be embarrassed weren’t ones on the pitch!
Bear with me. Then either agree with me – or pretend to. You’ll feel better.
Sunderland can play better. They showed this in their first three games. In fact they showed it in the first quarter of the match at Barnsley. Before Leeds, matters were not wonderful, but they were satisfactory. Five points out of nine.
Only two weeks ago, this column praised the hard work and concentration shown in the Derby and Norwich games.
Perhaps we should have mentioned that the same application is required in every fixture.
Losing the last two games should not elicit despair. Although it makes the next one, at home to Sheffield United, look rather more important than it did before.
Then there is the transfer window.
I know it closes tomorrow at the same time as the pubs. But umpteen deals will be made before then, so let’s hope some of them are favourable to Sunderland: out as well as in (Wahbi Khazri’s position now looks untenable).
Hope, hope, hope. It isn’t the same as optimism and even less like confidence. But cling on to it; if you can.
The main source of hope is from history. Twenty years ago Sunderland were relegated then made a poor start to the following season.
The lowest point was a 4-0 scudding to Reading at Elm Park; a performance that was even direr than Saturdays.
But changes were made and the performance and reaction stung some professional pride (remember that). Sunderland would lose only three of their remaining 36 games.
Strangely, Elm Park provided Sunderland’s best result that season.
Well that’s what I’m clinging to anyway. Should you still fail to see any reason to hope, let alone be optimistic, there is still the following to consider.
Contrary to current commonly expressed opinion, Sunderland supporters have nothing to feel embarrassed by.
They weren’t the ones on the pitch.