That feeling of emptiness after draw at Leeds

The fact that Sunderland performed reasonably well against Leeds United will be of little consolation to Sunderland fans, it probably just makes things even more frustrating.

Two big clubs going toe-to-toe produced one of the better games of this dismal season but at the end, a point wasn’t enough and just leaves you feeling empty and short-changed.

The last two away games at Derby County and Leeds has proved what Sunderland are capable of but without the miracle of all miracles happening, a great and proud club is likely to be playing in the third tier of English football next season.

There is no denying there were positives to come out of Saturday’s game, that with a better position in the league, would leave you feeling cautiously optimistic for the future.

However, the position we are in isn’t a false one and it is that knowledge that this squad of players has underperformed and under-achieved for so much of this campaign that leaves the fans angry and bewildered.

Saturday’s game was a throw back to encounters with Leeds from the past; both teams went for it and rode their luck at times but the entertainment levels were always high, well, compared to most games we’ve seen this season and there was even a sending off for a brutal tackle that older Sunderland fans will know often used to happen when these two teams met back in the 60s.

I thought Lynden Gooch had probably his best game in a Sunderland shirt and Paddy McNair looked the sort of player you build a team around, he must stay no matter what division Sunderland are operating in next season.

If only McNair had been fit all season - and Duncan Watmore for that matter - things could have been different but even so, it should never have come to this.

Finally, a word for our incredible away fans.

Over 2,000 made the journey, so loyal and so passionate and deserving of so much more.