Jack Ross failed in his attempts to take Sunderland out of League One, losing 2-1 in dramatic fashion at Wembley yesterday.
Nbay Sarr’s unusual own goal gave the Black Cats the lead, but a Ben Purrington strike followed by a late Patrick Bauer poke switched the score around and sent Lee Bowyer’s side into the Championship.
They put the worry about ownership and the neglect behind the scenes to one side to register a remarkable rise from upper mid-table side to Wembley winners.
The pressure is now on Ross who failed to get his side promoted despite bringing in £5m of strikers as well as a host of other ‘big name’ players. Max Power and Lewis Morgan are also better than the third tier, or at least should be.
Despite having the squad, Ross hasn’t found the method and that’s led to one or two questioning his judgement this morning, as well as the odd shout for his head.
Ross said after the game; “The only thing we can do now is use this sense of devastation and disappointment to make us stronger. It won’t feel like that now but it’s what we need to do. It’s gut wrenching but we must use it as motivation to keep driving us forward and we will look to do that.”
That’s not gone down well with supporters, as you’ll read below.
ROSS OUT
— dave (@DavidHindmarsh7) May 27, 2019
Heard this before though ?♀️
— ClaireB (@claireey_b) May 27, 2019
The truth is we didn't play well all season. The games we won, we were lucky as we were often the poorer team. As far as match tactics go, this season didn't look much different from last 2 seasons unfortunately. Glimpses of potential blinded out by mediocre performances
— Paz (@Cogdon) May 27, 2019
Honeyman. Captain Invisible.
— Bobby. (@robh2013) May 27, 2019
?? boring negative football will not make us stronger. Can not remember coming away from one game where I thought we looked impressive this season. Barnsley at home as close as it got. Same again next season I'm affraid, approaching games negatively. Keep the faith & all that
— Todd Young (@YoungyCK1) May 27, 2019
Get him out!
— Gareth Powell (@GartyPartyP) May 27, 2019
You literally need to change the majority of how you go about things though!!!
We dont need to do anything ……YOU need to!I pray you've learned….but I'm not hopeful
— dullskuggery (@MaxHanaghan) May 27, 2019
Same old drivel week in week out,the thing is we simply aren't good enough n Ross tactics are appalling
— Jan Lynn (@janicelynn73) May 27, 2019
When you play defensive football you still Ned to have goal scores up front please no Americans coming in been there done it did not work