Make no mistake, it’s another Cats shocker
‘FRUSTRATION’ has been a common theme of Simon Grayson’s post-match press conferences this season.
Given his Sunderland team continues to find new ways to lose – or at the very least drop points – perhaps that should surprise no-one.
Yet in the wake of Saturday’s home defeat against Cardiff City which saw the Black Cats slip into the bottom three, rather than just using the word Grayson actually looked and sounded frustrated. He had every right to be so. Having given his team a briefing just an hour before kick-off which highlighted the direct style preferred by Neil Warnock’s Cardiff, he must have been left rubbing his eyes in disbelief just seven minutes after kick-off .
His team was undone by exactly the kind of Route One approach he had warned about as Craig Bryson put the Bluebirds in front. Frustrated is an understatement. With Sunderland’s continuing struggles leading to growing fan unrest, the Stadium of Light is a difficult enough environment at present without the team gifting early goals to visiting sides to further damage the mood.
Sunderland’s cause was not helped by the absences through injury and illness respectively of creative types Callum McManaman and Jonny Williams, while defender Billy Jones was also absent with a knee problem which reduced Grayson’s defensive options,
Grayson opted to play his preferred threeman central defence but, with his side’s inability to follow instructions and with wingback Bryan Oviedo being given a torrid time by Cardiff wideman Nathaniel MendezLaing, an early switch to a back four was necessary and it immediately improved matters.
Early in the second half Lynden Gooch won and converted a penalty to bring Sunderland back into the game and at that stage, with the crowd onside, the Black Cats were in with a chance of ending their ninemonth wait for a home win.
However, Lamine Kone, who was culpable for the first goal, then blew Sunderland’s chances with a needless foul on Cardiff skipper Sean Morrison at a corner which allowed Joe Ralls to score what turned out to be the winner from the penalty spot.
It is mistakes such as those, and Ty Browning’s uncharacteristic error in the previous home game against Nottingham Forest, which are costing the Wearsiders dear.
The Championship is an unforgiving division and at present Sunderland are being punished every time they slip up.
With a difficult midweek game against exSunderland boss Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town at Portman Road, followed by a trip to Grayson’s former club Preston North End next Saturday, the Black Cats must learn quickly from their many mistakes.
Otherwise this slump will only get worse.