Pride, passion and commitment are qualities that, ideally, all of our players should have. However, the second half against Blackburn Rovers highlighted that not enough of our team have these qualities or rather, not enough of the players are willing to show these qualities week in week out. Liam Miller was rewarded with a starting role after some fine displays coming off the bench; Dickson Etuhu made way due to suspension. The only other change from the team that drew with Boro last week was Nyron Nosworthy coming in for Greg Halford who dropped out the squad entirely.
Blackburn started the game with most of the ball though they never made their possession count. After the opening 10-15 minutes the game began to take shape and became more of a contest. Blackburn looked slick and classy going forward, though we weren’t to be out done and created several good chances which unfortunately ended up straight down Friedel’s throat or were blocked out by a sea of Rovers players. Blackburn were also struggling to create any real clear cut opportunities, though the referee did do his utmost to change that by awarding Rovers ridiculous free-kicks, the majority of which were because a Rovers player had been out muscled. Five minutes before half time and we should have been awarded a penalty. Michael Chopra was played through with a fantastic ball from Liam Miller and was one-on-one with Brad Friedel, the result of which was Friedel wiping Chopra out and taking little, if any, of the ball. The referee merely waved the penalty claims away, to the disgust of both the players and the fans. This was one of many mistakes the referee and his officials made today and quite frankly it is a disgrace that these men are making so many errors in the so called ‘best league in the world.’ The game was there for the taking for either side.
Half time: 0-0
We were on the back foot from the off in the second half, as in the first, only this time Blackburn made us pay. Santa Cruz was given far too much time on the ball without coming under any sort of pressure from a Sunderland player, most of which decided backing off would be the best option, as a result Santa Cruz was able to pick his spot, thankfully though Higginbotham blocked his shot. With most of the defence out of position David Bentley had the easy task of smashing the ball home. The players didn’t learn quickly enough from that mistake and were punished again, within two minutes. Danny Higginbotham under hit a back pass to Craig Gordon, who was somehow able to make a terrific block from the on running Emerton’s shot. The Rover’s man was first to react to the block and headed the ball down to Santa Cruz who comfortably slotted the ball.
It’s no exaggeration to state that the defending for both goals was abysmal. Those two goals had a massive impact on the confidence of the team and it was time to show some of the character they have. However, most players simply hid away and didn’t want to take responsibility, this highlighted how greatly we are lacking a leader, someone to get the players going and fighting. Danny Collins, David Connolly and Paul McShane were three players who fought for the cause, the majority gave the impression that it was game over, so why bother.
The lads did try to create opportunities but not everyone was giving 100%, which is worrying as times will get tough during the rest of the season. Grant Leadbitter did give us a tiny glimmer of hope with a fantastic strike from 20 yards in the 90th minute, but it was too little too late.
Full Time: Sunderland 1 – 2 Blackburn Rovers
MOTM – Danny Collins, who gave 100% for the team and never shirked away from the challenge.