Cats may have been better side but they didn’t do the business
SUNDERLAND’S defeat to Blackpool has all but ended their hopes of automatic promotion.
The Black Cats were the better team on the day, but an inability to create chances and test the opposition keeper resigned Lee Johnson’s side to their third consecutive defeat.
Grant Leadbitter put in a solid display in the heart of midfield but will be upset with his involvement in the Tangerines winner.
Here are some of the key talking points as the Wearsiders dropped more points:
The Black Cats academy graduate has been one of the main consistencies from Sunderland’s season.
Prior to Lee Johnson’s arrival and the reintroduction of Aiden Mcgeady – Leadbitter was unquestionably the main man for the Wearsiders.
However, with question marks over his ability to play back-to-back games, he’s found himself out of the side in recent weeks.
There’s no doubt that Leadbitter doesn’t have the legs he once used to, but his technical ability is still head and shoulders above those around him.
The former Boro midfielder’s ability to pick a pass and break through lines is up there with the best in the division.
It’s also something the Black Cats have missed in their recent defeats.
It’s clear that Lee Johnson still rates the 35-year-old, which is why he’s been selected for the big games like
ARE SUNDERLAND
TECHNICALLY BETTER WITH GRANT LEADBITTER IN THE
SIDE?
SUNDERLAND’S INABILITY TO
CREATE
They dominate the ball but struggle to test the opposition keeper. It’s been the tale of their
season...
the EFL Trophy final and their promotion clash with Peterborough.
Rather than passive side-to-side play, Leadbitter broke lines and got Sunderland on the front foot, despite them not creating a big deal in the final third.
Leadbitter kept the Black Cats ticking in the second-half but will be disappointed with his part in the Blackpool opener, his tackle prodded the ball into the path of Sulley Kaikai who raced towards the Black Cats penalty area.
CHANCES
The Black Cats biggest problem in the promotion run in has been their lack of clear cut chances.
They dominate the ball but struggle to test the opposition keeper.
It’s been the tale of their season and yesterday’s game against Blackpool was no different.
Sunderland don’t get that yard of space around the box to have a shot on goal. Their main attacking outlet is down the flanks and tend to cut the ball back for oncoming attackers.
However, that makes them very predictable as we’ve found out.
The lack of quality in the final third also lets them down.
It looked like Aiden Mcgeady had given them the lead only to be denied by the post before Blackpool countered and scored at the other end.
It took them around 70 minutes to start to test Maxwell. Wyke’s first time volley was comfortable for the Tangerines stopper.
Sunderland’s number nine then had a half chance with a header which Maxwell held with ease once again.
It took them until the 80th minute to really test the Seasiders’ keeper who got down to save a low drive from Josh Scowen on the edge of the area.
Just when Sunderland looked as though they’d propelled themselves into automatic promotion – they
began to wobble.
Like Hull City and Peterborough – at the time of the Black Cats revival – Lee Johnson’s side have hit a sticky patch and look void of ideas.
Fast forward to the present date and the Tigers have shown resilience to come from behind to beat Fleetwood Town at home and move 11 points clear of Sunderland.
Likewise, Peterborough kept the pressure on leaders Hull with a 3-1 win at home to Northampton last night.
Both sides above them are still finding ways to win games – and by more than one goal.
The Black Cats don’t look like blowing sides away and could start looking over their own shoulder if they aren’t able to pick up a win in their final five fixtures. There’s just eight points between Charlton in 7th who have a game in hand on Sunderland.
HULL AND PETEBOROUGH’S
RESILIENCE