Sunderland have now gone winless in seven games, losing six of them.
Without Anthony Patterson’s heroics against QPR, Sunderland would have lost their past seven Championship games.
Mike Dodds has had a difficult start to his third tenure as temporary manager after Sunderland fired Michael Beale last month.
However, the players haven’t done themselves any favors lately, with Luis Hemir being one of those who has faced criticism in recent weeks.
Sunderland’s lack of experience is exacerbated by the departures of Danny Batth and Alex Pritchard, as well as Jack Clarke’s injuries.
Sunderland would have lost their past seven Championship games if Anthony Patterson hadn’t saved them against QPR.
Mike Dodds has had a difficult start to his third tenure as temporary manager since Sunderland fired Michael Beale last month.
However, the players haven’t done themselves any favors lately, with Luis Hemir being one of those who has come under fire in recent weeks.
This Sunderland team is need for experience after losing Danny Batth and Alex Pritchard, and Jack Clarke’s injury has thrown a kink in the works.
Dan Neil’s message to Nazariy Rusyn and Luis Hemir at Sunderland
Dan Neil, a Sunderland youth player and fan favourite, recently spoke with The Northern Echo on the team’s current form.
Interestingly, he was questioned if players like Nazariy Rusyn and Hemir, who both signed last summer, appreciate the gravity of the situation and what it means for the fans.
Neil gave this response:
“I suppose you can attempt to teach them all you want, but at the end of the day, they haven’t even been here a year, so it won’t stick with them just yet.
“Coming to a club of this size with this much pressure, it is going to be tough for them. We have to as players, staff and fans, we need to stick by these young lads who have come over because it’s not through a lack of trying, everyone is trying to win games and do really well for this football club so I think we have to give them time.”
“I am confident it has a lot, especially given the recent run of form. Our fans are vocal both when we win and when we lose, which is why they are among the greatest in the country, if not the world. It will take time for them to realize it; many of these youngsters are really young lads who have taken a huge risk by leaving their home country at such a young age to pursue a career in football.
Sunderland paying for lack of experience
Building on the previous point about Sunderland’s lack of experience, they are missing not only first-team players, but also players who have been through difficult times.
Players like Batth and Pritchard have gone through it all as footballers, including promotions and relegations, and they understand what it takes to break a terrible run of play.
However, despite their promise, Hemir and Rusyn have very little first-team experience, particularly Hemir, who had only played league football with Benfica B prior to joining Sunderland.
So now the club is in a very tricky situation.
They can’t buy a win right now, and with Clarke out, there doesn’t appear to be anyone capable of turning a game around and providing Sunderland the win they sorely need.
With eight games left in the season, Sunderland might yet find themselves in the relegation zone, which would be disastrous for the club.
Dodds will rely on players like Neil, who have more experience and understand the club’s philosophy, to get them through this period.
Sunderland return to Championship play against Cardiff City this weekend.
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