It’s okay, we get it; Everyone at Sunderland is gutted.
It’s been everywhere; in the papers, on the news and across social media. All the sad faces from players and staff, all the strong words which hadn’t been backed up with performances on the pitch.
The end result is that the Black Cats didn’t get out of League One at the first opportunity, although they’ll be favourites for the title next season. There isn’t a need for the club’s own Twitter account to labour on the point, but that’s exactly what they’re doing.
Manager Jack Ross has come under fire for his tactics, described in some quarters as negative. Earlier in the week, The Real EFL ran a piece in which supporters were asking him to go.
Some feel that his latest social media message might be a precursor to him leaving Wearside. He had been linked with the Scotland job and although that has now gone, he may feel it is time for another manager to make use of Sunderland’s comparable wealth in the third tier.
“I’m devastated for the fans who have been incredible throughout the season,” he said on Twitter. “They will be there long after me and they are much more important to the club than I am. I’m gutted for them because I came here to deliver success.”
Indeed, some social media users feel that message has already pointed to him looking ahead, but not with Sunderland.
Can we start announcing any players we're interested and ways we'll move forward, rather than sounding like it's the end.
— ᴄᴏʟ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°🫥 (@ColSafc86) May 28, 2019
And deliver you still can. The fans might be down but Sunderland fans never stay down. We'll be ready for the fight next season as I'm sure you and team will be. Stay strong.
— Wayne Thompson (@MrWayneThompson) May 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/MarkCoulthard4/status/1133428509731360769
https://twitter.com/_JakeT12/status/1133345308317032449
https://twitter.com/TomyCuth/status/1133652159252324352
https://twitter.com/lincolnSAFC/status/1133342341320855554
https://twitter.com/Simmysafc/status/1133342418361884673
https://twitter.com/wecan438/status/1133494114606096384
https://twitter.com/robfergdog/status/1133344118334214144
Sunderland are not an attacking side because. With the exception of macgeady who is nearing the end of his career who have we got , Grigg has shown nothing to warrant his fee. Wyke is not even an excuse for a footballer. Gooch always runs down blind alleys never provides the the final telling pass. Not got the guile required in midfield. You can’t fool all of the supporters all of the time.
jack dross wheres the inspiration. you should be telling the players play like your life . depends on it. there is no believe fire or hunger in this team
I believe that Jack Ross deserves another chance to to try a achieve promotion with Sunderland. He’s likely to have learned from the mistakes of this season and he’ll have a more league one savvy team to take us forward next season. This, coupled with strengthening in key areas could make all the difference. Moreover, it seems that he was unfortunate with the Josh Maja situation which occurred late in the day and left Ross with little time to get in his key strikers. I believe that he missed out on a couple of top targets and will Grigg was very last minute. Unfortunately that didn’t turn out well.
So let us reserve judgment at this stage and give Jack the further support he needs to take this club forward for the new season.