It's a joke that our fans get stick for leaving early, when no other club has to deal with their team regularly throwing the towel in completely after conceding one goal. It was woeful today but I don't think it was the worst performance I've seen (Soton, Palace, Villa, Hull, QPR, all from last season.) It says it all that there are so many choices for the most embarrassing display.
1. The fans are at the end of their tether For the first time, Sunderland fans vented their anger in public towards owner Ellis Short. He was not at the Stadium of Light to hear it, but there were plenty of stony faces in the directors’ box and you can be sure he will have been made aware of the chants of ‘are you watching Ellis Short?’ that broke out following the third goal. Sunderland have struggled against relegation for the last three seasons, and a revolving cast of players and managers have taken the rap. Now, the fans are looking at the man at the top – and more importantly, waiting for his response. That response must involve the signing of quality players, and several of them. And it must happen before the transfer window closes. 2. Patrick van Aanholt needs a break – for his own good 2015 Getty Images please log in to view this image Nathan Redmond of Norwich City and Patrick van Aanholt of Sunderland compete for the ball Sunderland’s defence was appalling at Leicester on the opening day, and only marginally better against Norwich. But in both games, van Aanholt has been far and away the worst offender. The left-back made bad mistakes at the King Power Stadium and threw in the towel in the second half, and then he was at fault for all three goals against the Canaries. Yet he completed the full 90 minutes in both those games. Van Aanholt appears to be suffering from a crisis of confidence and needs to be taken out of the firing line. Dick Advocaat could move Billy Jones to left-back and bring Adam Matthews in on the right. 3. Sunderland must rediscover their team ethic 2015 Getty Images please log in to view this image Sunderland players react after conceding the first goal to Norwich Whatever you think of this Sunderland squad, they are not as bad as their performances suggest. Less than six months ago, essentially the same group of players – Connor Wickham being the only notable departure – collected 12 points from their last nine games to ensure survival. So, after finishing last season reasonably strongly, why have they started this season so badly? The players do not look switched on, their confidence looks shot, and they look like they have forgotten how to win – or keep a clean sheet. Advocaat says his players are not functioning as a team, and it is hard to disagree. 4. Pre-season was a waste of time Sunderland played six games in four countries in pre-season, but for what? The players are not functioning as a team (see above), the defence looks a disorganised mess, and Advocaat is not sure which system best suits his side. Aside from building up match-fitness, just what was the point of those pre-season games? 5. And finally...Duncan Watmore gets his chance 2015 Getty Images please log in to view this image Duncan Watmore of Sunderland (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal Sunderland fans were clamouring for youngster Watmore to be thrown into the relegation battle last season, but Advocaat put his faith in experience and was proved correct. But Advocaat finally gave the winger his Premier League debut against Norwich, sending him on 20 minutes from time with the score 3-0. Watmore’s introduction gave the disenchanted crowd something to cheer, and his late consolation goal got the biggest roar of the afternoon. It was not a day for picking positives out of a defeat, but Watmore at least offers hope for the future
Dick is having a meeting with the players today to thrash everything out, he thinks he knows the problem, its a clear the air Meeting, be interesting to see what comes of this.
I'm considering going to the next game. I hate getting stuck in traffic though so I'll stay till full time.
The ones who preach KTF all the time. Well they can swally my nerb & kiss my smegma because I'm ****ing sick of it all. That's who.
We surely must improve from the first two games. We can't get worse! I'm struggling to see where we pick up a point at the moment.
Been there before From the BBC The stats you need to know Sunderland have conceded seven goals after two games for the first time since the 1970-71 season, playing in the old Second Division The Black Cats have conceded 12 times in their last six Premier League home games
