Sunderland fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Southend on Saturday.
The win confirmed the Shrimpers League One status for another year and meant Jack Ross’ side finished the season in a disappointing fifth place and now face Portsmouth in the playoffs.
It has been a frustrating end to the season for the Black Cats who only managed one victory in their last seven matches, a worrying run of form that leaves them heading into the semi-final showdown with Pompey lacking both momentum and confidence.
Southend had only won one of their previous fifteen matches and the jubilation of Shrimpers fans at avoiding the drop equalled the despair of those in red and white.
Many Sunderland fans believed promotion this season would be a fairly straightforward affair, but high expectations have ended in disappointment with the Mackems finishing six points off the automatic promotion places and nine behind champions Luton Town.
Fans anger at what many consider to be an abysmal showing given the resources at the club’s disposal soon boiled over on Twitter with plenty not holding back with their criticism of the manager Jack Ross and his misfiring team.
Here is a selection of their responses to the result on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/GraemeBrown13/status/1124746248085544961
https://twitter.com/Paulguy18/status/1124742880965353472
https://twitter.com/geoffpullan/status/1124744588210655235
https://twitter.com/antoneee_x/status/1124742902985441281
https://twitter.com/leonm2056/status/1124742878419406848
https://twitter.com/Ladebaremusic/status/1124748315885756416
https://twitter.com/PaulRic02992948/status/1124753235208753152
https://twitter.com/justt_thinking/status/1124744668191891456
https://twitter.com/danielhersi/status/1124743258033225729
https://twitter.com/willygrattan/status/1124743627702448128
https://twitter.com/Zenoclast/status/1124745172292706304
