State of play at Sunderland after latest on takeover status
What he also stressed was the extent to which he remained a reluctant seller.
He made clear that he would stay if he felt fans had changed their mind on his ownership, and that he feels the current crisis could actually make it easier for Sunderland to compete in the long run.
Many figures within football believe the current crisis could transform the landscape, leading to a significant controlling of costs and a downward pressure on wages in the long-term.
Donald also suggested that he believes the FPP group would step up their involvement with greater success on the pitch.
Though some Sunderland fans believe the recent series of Sunderland ‘Til I Die show the owner as one with good intentions, many do not believe the club is set up for success in its current guise, and that the series underlined why.
Here, we assess whether much has changed since so many supporters made their feelings clear late last year…
Have concerns over the footballing side of the club been addressed since the December protest?
The discontent on Wearside
owed much to a series of dismal performances on the pitch, bringing Sunderland to a historic low.
After the 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day, a game that Keith Hill’s side almost won, they sat 15th in the table.
The gap to second was nine points, the gap to top fifteen.
Phil Parkinson had won just two of his first fourteen games in charge; his team dumped out of all three domestic cup competitions.
Late in that Bolton game, fans in the Stadium of Light began to chant for club legends of days gone by and at the final whistle, there were chants for a change of manager. Supporters had been promised an ‘exciting few months’ in a club statement released shortly before Parkinson’s appointment.
Instead, many felt they had never felt lower about their club.
The transition to a new style had led to some uninspired performances and as Sunderland headed to Doncaster Rovers, tensions were high.
What followed remains perhaps the most remarkable day of Sunderland’s season so far.
In front of 4,000 fans, the Black Cats took an early free kick, Lynden Gooch scored with an exceptional longrange strike and the team never looked back.
Aggressive in the press and aided significantly by the return of Gooch and Charlie Wyke, Parkinson’s 3-4-3 system began to pay dividends.
With the installation of Denver Hume and Luke O’Nien in the wing-back roles, Sunderland were finally beginning to play with a tempo and overwhelm teams.
A long run of good form began that, coupled with the decline in form of Wycombe Wanderers and Ipswich Town, catapulted Sunderland back into promotion contention.
Some key Parkinson calls looked to be vindicated, such as the decision to leave Aiden McGeady out of the firstteam picture. At the moment of postponement, however, Sunderland’s progress had stalled.
Chances to make major progress against Fleetwood Town and Coventry City were missed, before a woeful performance against Bristol Rovers left the Black Cats sitting outside the play-off positions.
Unquestionably, the months previous had seen a significant general improvement. A team with an impressive work-rate on the ball and for the most part, a significant threat on it.
The likes of Gooch and Chris Maguire had seen a spike in their attacking output and if the current season resumes, the Black Cats remain firmly in contention.
In that sense, they have undoubtedly steadied and made progress since that bleak midwinter. Promotion, though, is at this stage out of their hands.
Sunderland are no closer to the Championship than at any stage since their relegation and any talk of a dominant, 100-point season has long faded.
The January window did see some established Championship talent brought in, admittedly on short-term deals.
Sunderland were unfortunate to see Bailey Wright suffer a serious injury, but otherwise, the additions have not made a major impact or established themselves in the starting XI.
Donald has said that he understands if fans want a change in ownership due to a failure on the footballing operation.
Sunderland ‘Til I Die season two brought a renewed debate about the decision to cash in on Josh Maja and at this stage, the jury remains out on his key decisions.
Above all else, it is hard to argue that significant progress has been made after last season’s near miss.