The telling fulltime reaction & data that poses a major concern
Thousands of Sunderland fans will have watched the draw with Accrington Stanley via live streams – but there are those few moments that the cameras don’t capture.
We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the League One stalemate–fromaclassythank you to a key piece of data that will concern Lee Johnson:
A CLASSY THANK YOU MESSAGE:TheFoundationof Lightwereheavilyrepresented attheStadiumofLight-inwhat wastheannualfixturededicated to the club's official charity partner.
Players wore warm-up shirts emblazoned with the Foundation of Light logo during their preparations for the game, while there was also a classy thank you message to supporters who backed the #SunderlandTogether campaign on the reverse.
Sunderland's match shirts also featured a commemorative logo celebrating the charity's 20th year, and will be auctioned off to supporters.
The match day programme also paid tribute to the fantastic work done at the Beacon of Light and beyond - especially during what has been a difficult twelve months.
THE UNDER-23 MAN STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION: Sunderland were once again forced to go with a makeshift defence against Accrington-andattimesthatcertainly showed.
Johnson, though, remains to keep a close eye on Oliver Younger.
TheUnder-23defenderwas hailed by the Sunderland boss in his press conference this week, although Johnson did concede that he felt Younger looked most suited a place in a back three.
Butheisclearlyaplayerwho remains under consideration for first-team involvement, and that was emphasised by thefacthewarmed-upwiththe squad prior to the Accrington game - despite narrowly missingoutonaplaceonthebench.
A SMALL RETURN TO NORMALITY: There was one slightreturntonormalityatthe Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon - as the Directors' Boxwasinuseforthefirsttime this season.
Home and away directors have been sat in the lower tier of the stands during previous months, watching the action from just behind the dugouts.
But as we move ever-closer to the return of fans, the club officialsreturnedtotheirusual spot at the front of the Premier Concourse for the Accrington game.KristjaanSpeakmanand Steve Davison were in the Directors'BoxfromaSunderland perspective.
A BIG MILESTONE HIT:
CharlieWyke'squick-firebrace in the first half saw him hit an important milestone - as he racked-up his 30th goal of the season in all competitions.
It's the first time that the man himself has netted that many goals in a senior campaign, and is the first time a Sunderland player has hit the landmark for over two decades. Indeed, the last player to net 30 goals in a single season on Wearside was Kevin Phillipsbackinthe1999/2000campaign. And before him, the last nametohitthatmilestonewas oneBrianCloughinthe1961/62 season.
A KEY PIECE OF DIRTY WORK:
Wyke's early header from Lynden Gooch's cross was a dream start for the Black Cats,andwasagoalofrealquality - from Gooch's perfectly weighted delivery to Wyke's steered header.
But it owed a lot to the less glamorous - but no less vital workthatcamefromCarlWinchester in the middle.
The January signing showed excellent tenacity to press high and win back possession,beforethenspreading theplayouttoGoochoutonthe right flank.
It was piece of work that may have gone unnoticed, but undoubtedly played a big part in the opening goal.
THE QUICK START NOT BUILT UPON: Sunderland's quick start looked set to be key for the hosts - and that has been something of a recurring theme this term.
Think back to some of the BlackCats'betterperformances this season and they have usuallybeganwithanearlygoal
(or two, in the case of the clash with Stanley).
And it's interesting to note thatnosideinLeagueOnehave scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season than Sunderland.
The Black Cats have scored 15 times during that period in their league fixtures this season, which is the joint highest alongside Plymouth Argyle.
Similarlyfaststartsintheir remaining three League One fixtureswouldundoubtedlybe welcomed.
A CONCERNING STATISTIC FOR LEE JOHNSON: Sunderland’ssix-gamewinless runhascomeatthewrongtime
– and has seen the side drop to thebottomthreeoftheLeague One form table.
Indeed, no team has gained fewer points over the last six games than the Black Cats.
The Wearsiders have picked-up just three points from their last six outings, a tally only equaled by DoncasterRoversandstrugglingSwindon Town. That will no doubt be a major concern for Johnson,particularlywiththeprospect of a play-off campaign on the horizon. The visit of Blackpool presents an opportunity to bounce back. But that is easier said than done.
THE FULL-TIME REACTION:
As Darren Drysdale blewthefinalwhistle,Sunderland's body language said it all.
Denver Hume sunk to the turf, while other players neededanarmaroundtheshoulder from the coaching staff.
Their facial expressions painted a clear picture of frustration and they quickly left the field for the post-match debrief.
Whatever thin hopes remained of securing a place in the top two were extinguished – but now the players must bounce back quickly to ensure they enter the play-offs with some momentum behind them.