SINK OR SWIM
SUNDERLAND’S PLAYERS NEED TO MATCH MANAGER’S DETERMINATION, STARTING IN TOMORROW’S MEGA SHOWDO
prove you wrong.’ “We just accept it, there is an acceptance of negativity and defeat, ‘here we go again’.” It was another performance in which the Black Cats could not stand up to the pressure of the occasion. They gave Brentford acres of space to operate in, their attacking quartet regularly making it to the edge of the Sunderland area having not once been engaged by an opponent. On the ball, Sunderland had no poise or bravery. All too often, it was simply hacked away, given straight back to the Bees, who were able to build up a head of a steam as if they were the home team, playing with an intent that suggested this grand stadium was their own.
Both goals came from a turnover of possession, Sunderland seemingly in control before playing themselves into trouble.
The first Brentford goal came as Lee Cattermole and John O’Shea dithered near their own box, the second from a slack Ethan Robson pass, with most of his teammates out of position.
What followed was a sight all too typical this season, Sunderland slower in thought and movement than their oppponents.
First, Kamo Mokotjo pounced to rifle the loose ball home for 1-0. For the second, Florian Jozefzoon broke free down the right to cross, Neal Maupay backheeling the ball home from close range.
Sunderland are staring down the barrel now.
The attempt to rebuild the squad following last season’s relegation, on a pitiful budget, failed and Sunderland have been overpowered too often this season for it be considered a coincidence.
Coleman did what he could in January, but this is a tough environment for unproven youngsters to come into.
League One is, for the future of the club, unthinkable but now seems a probability.
Fans turned their ire on Martin Bain towards the end and, in the backdrop to the relegation run-in, debate over the root of this failure and the long-term direction will rightly rage.
For Coleman, it is crunch time for his squad. He has little time to to prepare the side for a seismic clash at Bolton tomorrow night.
Lose and many will begin to write the obituaries.
What will concern the Sunderland manager more than anything was that Saturday’s match had a distinct feel of the earlyseason defeats under Simon Grayson to it.
There were flashes of individual quality, but a stark lark of cohesion, structure and discipline.
After making gentle strides early in his tenure, Coleman will be acutely aware that he is not getting the right formula or finding a way to get his players reflection his ebullience on the pitch.
Too many went missing on Saturday and he has no choice but to mix it up.
He will surely start by overhauling a tame defence and a missing midfield.
Adam Matthews, Lamine Kone, Jonny Williams and Paddy McNair now all come into the picture. Will it be enough? This was another day that underlined the long-term mismanagement that has brought a proud club to its knees.
Coleman has tried to separate himself from that and focus on the here and now.
He will know he has to do more, but it is high time the players reflected his own steely determination.
If they don’t, they will send this club into the abyss.