ROSS: BOOS WON’T GET ME DOWN...
SUNDERLAND boss Jack Ross shrugged off fans’ criticism after the Black Cats’ draw at bottom-of-the-table Bolton.
The Scot was jeered in the second half, with his side trailing to Jack Hobbs’ 49thminute goal, after substituting Chris Maguire with Charlie Wyke. And some of the 4,000 strong Wearside following also chanted: ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
However, Aiden McGeady, who missed a midweek spot kick against Rotherham, converted a 91st-minute penalty to ease the pressure on Ross.
“It’s football, it’s no problem,” said Ross. “I have been through a lot in life to earn the right to work and deal with things. Trust me, it’s not a flippant remark because criticism is not nice for any person, irrespective of what walk of life they are in. But the strength of character to deal with it is a different thing. Any criticism – give it to me. That’s my job.”
He praised McGeady’s character for stepping up to the plate when Yoan Zouma handballed to give the visitors a lifeline.
“We spoke during the week who would have the responsibility and he wanted to take the next one. Had he missed it would have become a different conversation. But he deserves to take the next one because of his record and his character and temperament.
“We didn’t play well first half but we still created chances. Our response to going behind was good, we created more opportunities and on another day could have scored more goals.”
Jason Lowe and Thibaud Verlinden went close for Bolton, before Hobbs latched on to William Buckley’s header to fire left-footed into top left corner from six yards.
For Sunderland, Luke O’Nien and Tom Flanagan hit the woodwork, Will Grigg headed wide from close range while keeper Remi Matthews kept out efforts from McGeady and Lynden Gooch.
In the end, the pressure paid off after Zouma handled to give McGeady his chance.
Bolton’s Dennis Politic had earlier hit the woodwork. Their boss Keith Hill, still waiting for his first victory, said: “It is great to see the players are showing so much effort. It is a skill that costs nothing and there is a willingness in all the players.
“There is a tinge of the disappointment because of the scoreline. But an enormous amount of pride that the players who have come from no training no games, no pre-season hardly, to looking like a team that can eventually win football matches.” Hill had no complaints about the penalty for Zouma’s handball but said: “It was a naive, stupid decision. He has to learn. If he doesn’t learn, he doesn’t play. If he does learn quickly, he plays.”