Louis-Dreyfus watches on amid boss search and Keane chants
An afternoon which started in anticipation ended with a collective ‘boo’ at the full-time whistle.
Sunderland had been backed by a bumper crowd at the Stadium of Light for the visit of Doncaster Rovers, with 38,395 in attendance for the League One fixture.
Manywereeagertowitness the return of Black Cats hero Jermain Defoe, yet when the 39-year-oldcameoffthebench in the 72nd minute the side were already two goals down.
Defoe’s name was chanted throughout to the track of ‘Here Comes The Hotstepper,’ andthebiggestcheeroftheday camewhentheforwardfinally entered the fray.
It was also refreshing to see the lower bowl of the Stadium of Light almost full for the first timethiscampaign,withsome homesupportersalsosittingin the upper tiers.
Yet the reaction after a 2-1 defeatwasunderstandablefollowing another lacklustre display, which left another dent inSunderland’sautomaticpromotion hopes.
Here are some of the moments you may have missed:
Roy Keane chants: The Black Cats have been in talks with several candidates this week about the vacant head coach’s position.
Many will have, therefore, been keeping an eye on the directorsbox,whereSunderland ownerKyrilLouis-Dreyfuswas in attendance.
While Louis-Dreyfus was accompanied by guests, there
was no sign of any potential managerial candidates.
Sunderland began their interviewing process this week, withRoyKeane,GrantMcCann and Alex Neil all believed to be interested in the job.
Keane is the obvious favourite among Sunderland supporters and sections of the homecrowdchantedhisname during the first half.
The former Manchester
Unitedmidfielderappearedon ITV as a pundit on Friday and said: “I’ve made it clear over the last few years that I’d like to go back as a manager. But of course the club has to want you, you have to want to go the club and just as important, the contract has to be right.
“We’ll see how things take shape over the next few days.”
Ross Stewart’s goal that wasn’t: To many inside the
Stadium of Light it appeared Ross Stewart’s header in the 59thminutehadtravelledover the line.
Doncaster goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell scrambled the ball away as the visitors withstood a spell of pressure to try and maintain their two-goal lead, which appeared to have beenreduced.Supportersmay have expected the goal to be given, yet there is no goal-line technology in League One.
It was also surprising that thereweren’tstrongerappeals from the Sunderland players, given they would have had a strong case. If the goal had stood then maybe the match could have swung with half an hour remaining.
Still, the Black Cats were already chasing the game at that point and can’t make excuses.
A familiar face: While Defoe
was the centre of attention, there was another player makinghisreturntotheStadiumof Light.OllieYoungeronlymade eight senior appearances for Sunderland, but has made a positiveimpressionsincesigning for Doncaster in January.
Younger, 22, played in a right-back position against his former club and produced anothersoliddisplayasRovers took all three points.