A first win continues to elude Dick Advocaat’s side, yet after the hapless displays against Leicester and Norwich, Sunderland were a completely different beast with a performance full of energy, determination and commitment.
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The Black Cats were three goals down against the Canaries after an hour, and the only positive was a late consolation goal by winger Duncan Watmore on his Sunderland debut.
That is the exact feeling Sunderland will be having right now as their sponsor Darabet have installed them as the 5/8 favourites to go down.
It was a slow burner to start with at the Stadium of Light as both teams felt their way into the game.
Van Aanholt is the only specialist left-back on Sunderland’s books, with Under-21 defender Tom Robson not deemed ready for the Premier League, despite Advocaat exploring that option with development coach Robbie Stockdale.
“The bottom line is they have good players and it’s only two performances”.
Granted Lens enjoyed some encouraging creative moments but, overall, his lack of imagination ensured that Monk’s mobile defence were rarely overstretched on a day when Swansea’s attacking departments were not quite at their recent best.
With the club already touted for an arduous relegation threatened season, fans will rely on the consistent Defoe to fire the goals required to keep their side amongst the elite of English football. Teams playing any sort of containing system are constantly brought up on highlights shows and pointed out as being lazy or even suicidal. The youngster impressed with his willingness to contribute across the pitch, and Advocaat would be foolish not to give the player his first start in a Sunderland shirt. It’s probably a sign that he should do. Those are the words of someone who realizes the difficulty of his current situation, and a candid take on how hard they’ll have to work to maintain their spot among the elite.
The problems at the weekend didn’t arise when Sunderland stood off the opposition.
But Sunderland benefited from a chunk of fortune after the ball hit the inside of the post, rolled across the face and away, with Costel Pantilimon motionless. Starting on the left, Defoe had cut in. When the opposition nip into that space, the chink in the armour, then someone else has to come and cover. Pantilimon then made a trio of saves.
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“But if you sometimes watch television and that kind of thing, well ok, if you have a programme you have to fill it up”.
