JOHNSON: IT HURTS BUT I’M TO BLAME
LEE Johnson backed himself and his players to recover from Sunderland’s capitulation to a rejuvenated Bolton.
But the Black Cats boss admitted criticism of his side’s collapse, including four second-half goals, was “justified and fair”.
Striker Dion Charles struck twice while Dapo Afolayan, Kieran Lee, Declan John, and Danny Batth’s diving own goal header completed Wanderers’ biggest win at the University of Bolton Stadium.
“I still believe in the players, that has not changed,” insisted Johnson after Sunderland slipped to third.
“But we fell unbelievably short in every facet. I don’t think anyone gave up – though I know it can sometimes look like that.
“However, everyone had really poor games and we looked disjointed and disorganised.
“I have to take responsibility. I don’t want to because it hurts.
“Part of my job is to get the boys tactically right and mentally focused. Despite believing I did that, we clearly didn’t show it.
“Moving forward, we have got to be stronger. We didn’t implement one part of our game that has been successful this year.
“A manager has a big part to play, but it is also the collective. However, I am happy to take on the criticism.
“I will take it on the chin, wrap it up and try to come out a better manager.”
Sunderland’s latest away day thumping follows on from 4-0 and 5-1 defeats at Portsmouth and Rotherham earlier in the season.
Charles punished the Black Cats’ defensive hesitancy for a 19th minute opener.
Top scorer Afolayan started and finished a move, also involving Charles and Lee, four minutes from half-time.
Afolayan turned provider for Charles to make it 3-0 after 51 minutes, while Bolton’s two-goal hero played in Lee for the fourth eight minutes later.
Batth accidentally headed in Amadou Bakayoko’s cross after 85 minutes – though the majority of Sunderland’s 5,000 fans had left by then – before John’s deflected shot completed a famous win.
Bolton have now won three successive games, while new keeper James Trafford becomes the first Trotters’ goalie since Simon Farnworth in 1983 to keep three clean sheets from debut.
Bolton remain 14 points off the playoffs but bullish manager Ian Evatt hasn’t given up on another promotion.
“It is only a small step,” said 40-yearold Evatt. “We have got more work to do to get anywhere near where we want to get because we are not there yet.
“I am a young manager who has had a lot of success early. But I have been in the game a long time and had a long career.
“I would like to think I know what I am doing and what I am talking about.”