BREAKING: Sunderland broke an unwanted 65-year record in Blackburn Rovers horror show
It would have been unexpected for Sunderland to suffer a 5-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers on Monday afternoon.
In fact, many might have anticipated a victory for Mike Dodds’ team, especially after their return to winning form on Friday.
Before the weekend, Sunderland secured a 2-0 victory against Cardiff City, displaying glimpses of their former strength on the pitch with a more attacking style and effectiveness following a winless streak of seven games.
Initially, Sunderland showed promise against Blackburn, starting the game positively. However, the momentum began to shift after 15 minutes, and by the 30th minute, the first of five goals had been conceded.
Sunderland 1-5 Blackburn Rovers puts dampener on Mike Dodds parade
Dodds must have been immensely relieved to secure his first win on Friday. However, Monday’s performance left him infuriated, leading to a vocal post-match press conference.
Sunderland currently occupies the 13th position in the Championship table, trailing Bristol City by two points in 12th place. With an 11-point cushion between Sunderland and the relegation zone, the prospect of relegation appears highly unlikely with only six games left.
Nevertheless, the likelihood of Sunderland finishing the season strongly and setting a positive tone for the summer seems equally improbable.
Sunderland break 65-year record against Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday
The loss to Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday wasn’t just humiliating for Sunderland; it also set a record. According to journalist James Copley, the defeat marked Sunderland’s worst-ever home loss on Easter Monday and their most significant defeat on an Easter Monday since 1959, a span of 65 years. Additionally, it was only the third occasion in which Sunderland conceded five goals at the Stadium of Light.
Blackburn horror show does Black Cats hierarchy no favours
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman face a challenging task in hiring a new manager this summer, especially after defeats like the one against Blackburn Rovers. Such results do not bolster their chances of attracting top-tier coaches to Wearside.
Potential candidates like Will Still and even Steve Cooper may reconsider their interest in the position after witnessing such setbacks. Moreover, the current playing squad is deemed subpar, and with players like Jack Clarke likely departing in the summer, along with the possibility of others such as Anthony Patterson leaving, the squad’s quality is set to decline further.
There’s a growing lack of confidence in Speakman’s ability to make effective transfers, further dampening hopes of utilizing funds from potential player sales wisely.
The upcoming summer transfer window is undoubtedly crucial for Sunderland, as there are numerous issues that need to be addressed and rectified within the team.