Dodds: ‘We owe the fans a performance’ after Rovers defeat
INTERIM boss Mike Dodds admitted that his Sunderland players ‘owe everyone a performance’ after they were humiliated 5-1 at home by struggling Blackburn on Easter Monday.
The Black Cats put in an ‘embarrassing’ performance in the words of Dodds, and skipper Luke O’nien, which left fans heading for the exit doors early as Sunderland conceded five at home for only the third time in their history.
Dodds outlined that there have been some harsh words shared from the coaching staff towards the squad after the ‘unacceptable’ performance, and has demanded a response from his team as they prepare to host Bristol Rovers this afternoon.
Rovers currently sit 12th in the Championship table, just one place above the Black Cats.
When asked if the Blackburn embarrassment could spur them on, Dodds said at yesterday’s pre-bristol press conference: “I would prefer that we didn’t perform like that, I’d prefer that I am not falling out with the players to the magnitude I did when we reviewed the game, but unfortunately sometimes players need recorrecting, and redirecting.
“I was embarrassed on Monday, I was embarrassed for the football club really, because the performance was completely unacceptable – so the players are left under no illusions that they owe everyone a performance tomorrow (today).”
Individual errors and poor defending allowed Rovers to smash five past the Black Cats and leave the Stadium of Light shellshocked, and Dodds outlined that he was still ‘really angry’ days after the dust has settled because of the embarrassing nature of the heavy loss.
He said: “We had a discussion as a group on Wednesday, but I am still really angry with the group if I’m completely honest. I, and everyone else are expecting a much better performance on Saturday (today).”
Looking ahead to today’s fixture, Dodds offered fitness updates on duo Corry Evans and Aji Alese as the pair near returns to contention.
Club captain Evans nears a return from his long-term ACL injury he sustained last season, but Dodds confirmed he will not be back in the squad for this weekend after suffering ‘a slight reaction in training’.
However, defender Alese (pictured below) played 90 minutes for the under 23s on Wednesday, and will be in contention for this afternoon’s starting XI.
Dodds said of Alese: “I think that was really important for him psychologically, as that is his first 90 minutes in a very, very long time so he will be in contention for the weekend.”
Dodds may choose to bring Alese straight back into the fray as Sunderland look to solidify their defence from the Blackburn drubbing.
Aji Alese is ‘in contention’
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