Crowd criticism of keeper Steele ‘unfair’, says Cats boss

SIMON Grayson felt goalkeeper Jason Steele came in for unfair criticism during Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat to Bristol City.

Along with James Vaughan, Steele was Grayson’s most expensive purchase as Black Cats manager – albeit at only £500,000 each – but neither has the confidence of the club’s fans.

Steele made four saves to keep the Robins at bay on Saturday but for the second home match running, he was too timid at the corner from which the opposition opened the scoring, pinned to his line by Matty Taylor, allowing the unmarked Bobby Reid to head in at the far post.

It reached the stage where every time the former Middlesbrough goalkeeper from Newton Aycliffe caught the ball, it was greeted with ironic cheers from the Stadium of Light crowd.

“I think all the players should be getting stick because we’re not getting results,” Grayson said when asked about his goalkeeper’s reception. “For Steeley, it might be a little bit unfair.

“He made a great save in the second half, he’s not been at fault for either goal, he’s trying to make decisions in terms of when to kick it and when not to because sometimes you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

“I see three goalkeepers train every day and at this moment in time he’s the better one for us.”

The Black Cats are the only side in the Championship yet to keep a clean sheet.