Black Cats desperately missing star man Clarke
YOU have to feel for Mike Dodds – taking over as Sunderland interim head coach for the third time must be a huge honour.
But finding out in your first few days that Jack Clarke is out for six weeks is a bit like being handed the keys to Willy Wonka’s factory for a couple of months only to be told you mustn’t go anywhere near the chocolate.
There was precious little for Sunderland supporters to get excited about in the 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road and Clarke’s absence for a second consecutive outing was noticeable.
It was just another below-par showing away from home with Sunderland’s woeful record continuing. In their last 13 matches on the road they have won just once and lost eight, including their last three.
Scoring goals has been a massive issue and Clarke’s absence only highlights the problem still further.
Norwich dominated the early part of the game and, far too often, the visitors gave the home team too much space outside the penalty area to fire shots in on goal.
Playing out of defence and giving the ball away is still an issue at times, while Sunderland’s defensive frailties were there for all to see when Josh Sargent scored the decisive 81st-minute goal. Firstly, another cross was allowed to enter the box too easily. Secondly, Luke O’Nien and Leo Hjelde both tried to win the ball in the air against Sargent. The ball dropped down and despite a two-versus-one situation in their favour, the two Sunderland players could not stop Sargent from smashing home the winner. It seemed all too easy for the Norwich sharpshooter.
At the other end Luis Hemir should have got on the end of a Trai Hume cross but was a yard behind the ball in what was Sunderland’s best move.
That would have made it 1-0 and on such moments games can turn.
Abdoullah Ba’s individual brilliance almost brought Sunderland a goal too in the second half when he hit the bar from an angle.
So for all their problems at the back, there were two moments that could have seen Sunderland move in front.
Then who knows what could have happened?
It makes conceding a late goal all the more galling for Dodds and his side.