THE THIRD TEAR
11 years ago Sunderland were bottom of the Championship and it’s 30 years since they were in League One.. but it looks like time is running out for the Mackems
ELLIS SHORT may want Sunderland seventh in the Premier League – but they look bound for League One.
On the weekend Black Cats owner Short set the long-term aim, and said the club would no longer spend big on players .... Sunderland sunk to the bottom of the Championship. It is 11 years since they were so low – but then they had Roy Keane come in as boss and win promotion. It is 30 years since Sunderland were in the third tier and, on this form, they will struggle to arrest the decline, whoever takes over from sacked Simon Grayson in the next 10 days. They have not won in the league since August 13 – 14 games ago. And they’ve lost eight of those games on the way to the worst start by any team relegated from the Premier League. Caretaker boss Robbie Stockdale set up his side to be solid, but they lack confidence and guile, and, when they did shoot, found Middlesbrough keeper Darren Randolph in great form. Stockdale said: “You could argue that was the story of the season. We’re disappointed to lose because we were well in it. We had chances. “We are not going to say we are unlucky losers. We need to be lucky winners. It is not ideal being bottom of the table. I didn’t see it in the game today.
“The effort and attitude were first class but we didn’t create enough in the second half.
“I’ve been told nothing about the manager situation. I am sure the club will have discussions.
“You don’t enjoy it when it is a losing afternoon. I don’t think it was a performance of a side that could go down. We set up solid.
“I am convinced they will pull their way out of this. I understand the way the fans feel.”
Boro grabbed the lead within six minutes when Marcus Tavernier nabbed his first league goal.
Stewart Downing unlocked the defence with a superb reverse pass that allowed Martin Braithwaite to cross. Tavernier finished ahead of Billy Jones at the near post.
It was Boro’s third win in a row and they climbed to fifth, now right in the promotion mix.
Boss Garry Monk was full of praise for 18-year-old academy product Tavernier and said: “It is a memory he won’t forget – first derby, winning goal.
“It is the start of his career and his contribution has been good. He has huge potential and is a level-headed lad.”
The visitors’ challenge petered out after three early chances were saved by Randolph. The Boro keeper pushed away Didier Ndong’s long-range shot after being hampered by the low sun.
Lewis Grabban smashed the rebound from eight yards and Randolph saved brilliantly.
Lee Cattermole also curled in a good effort that Randolph, who saw the shot late, did well to hold.
The best was yet to come from Randolph, who saved at close range from Grabban.
Such was Sunderland’s haplessness that Jones limped off after being tackled by team-mate Darron Gibson.