When I watched Paul Merson on Sky's Gillette Soccer Saturday breathlessly describe how David Healy had missed a totally open goal I knew the writing was on the wall. Not even when Simon Davies put us 1-0 up with a free kick did I think we'd be able to hang on; nor when the Black Cats went down to 10 men. Sure enough, in the dying minutes we allowed them back into the game and a late Kenwyne Jones header stole Sunderland a share of the spoils. Unbelievable.
Until I see the 'highlights' tonight I obviously can't comment on the specifics of the match, but suffice to say that once again we threw away points. The defence was always a weak spot under Coleman - much to our annoyance considering where he spent his career playing - but things appear to have deteriorated under Sanchez. What is wrong with them? Why can't we shut up shop like other teams? Who is at fault? Is it the full-backs? The midfielders?
Wherever the problem lies it's up to Sanchez to sort it out. If he is unable to do so then he needs to make way for someone who does so that we don't end up hurtling towards the Championship. Birmingham's win means we have now slipped to 14th and makes next week's home match against Reading even more significant.
Here, if you can bear it, is an early match report from the BBC.
Signing off
5 years ago
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