Sunderland need a bit more quality in the squad to go on a winning run
After picking up a good away win at AFC Wimbledon the weekend before last, I was hoping the Sunderland squad would have the confidence to build on that and claim maximum points in two winnable home games.
With that in mind, I was really disappointed with the result last Tuesday night against Plymouth Argyle.
There was no lack of trying, but again the quality just wasn’t there in the final third against the Devon outfit.
From what I have seen, there is not much between any of the teams in this division.
But scoring the first goal is vital, as when teams get ahead it gives them something to hold on and fight for.
Plymouth did just that last Tuesday, and even though Sunderland got back into the game, they exerted so much energy in doing so they switched off and conceded the second goal.
On Saturday against Shrewsbury Town, I felt it was the best start to a game that Sunderland have had all season at the Stadium of Light.
They played high up the pitch with a tempo that Shrewsbury really struggled with.
It was a similar start to the game away at Lincoln City a few weeks back.
It was a great goal again from Charlie Wyke, who is starting to show and back up the shouts that he is one of the best marksmen in the division.
If anything during that first half- hour spell, Sunderland should have added to their lead and put Shrewsbury out of reach.
They didn’t a nd, like Wimbledon last weekend and unlike the Lincoln game, struggled to show anywhere near enough ener gy and quality in the second period. This allowed Shrewsbury to get a strong foothold throughout the half.
I spoke last week of how important Bailey Wright and Jordan Willis can be if they both stay fit, and I feel this was highlighted again. I know Shrewsbury had a couple of half-c hances but, in general, I felt the defense again looked solid and never looked like conceding a goal.
The lack of quality in the second half will worry Lee Johnson but the main thing was getting the win.
I have no doubt that there are movements behind the scenes in trying to add some more quality to the squad. However, in the meantime Sunderland need to somehow find a way to continue to pick up points regularly.
Automatic promotion may be too much of an ask but looking at the league table, there are a host of teams vying for those play-off positions.
If Sunderland can go to Ipswich Town , a team who are genuine contenders for promotion, and win, then it will show that consistency and winning back-to-back games can be achieved.
The difference so far between Hull City, Lincoln and the rest of the top four is they have been able to put winning runs together.
I still feel Sunderland need a bit more quality added to the squad to be capable of doing this. In the immediate future, Johnson needs to find the right formula to get his team playing like we saw in Saturday’s opening half hour, starting at Portman Road.