This game was a must win for Bruce and the team as the next game is a very tough trip away to Wolves. The game started brightly enough with both teams creating half chances but when Sunderland’s first real chance came, they scored.
The ball ended up on the left wing and when Bentdner’s shot was fumbled by Al Habsi the returning Larsson was first to react and smashed it home. That happened in the 7th minute just what we needed after our last game with Fulham was a bore draw. Sunderland had many more chances in the first half including Brown’s header and a fierce free kick from Larsson where O’shea got the crucial touch however these were both saved magnificently.
As the half wore on the midfield was getting scrappy and you could sense problems after the chances we had but missed, especially when a counter attack came to Bardsley and he sadly blazed the ball over the bar when he was clean through. In Wigan’s defence their forwards were a constant threat but most of all it was Victor Moses and when in the 43rd minute he skipped past Larsson with ease you could see Larsson was struggling and that was compounded when he collided with Moses to concede a soft penalty.
Half time was fast approaching so it was no surprise when Jordi Gomez slotted home the penalty very calmly.
HT- SAFC 1-1 Wigan. Why do we only score 1 goal and then sit back waiting for pressure? Why are we playing Bentdner up front on his own when Ryan Noble could be playing with his confidence and pace?
In the second half we dominated the early stages too with a lively Sessegnon, but no one could finish his pull back. The subs then came with Bardsley and Cattermole coming off for Vaughan and finally Gardner. Our first real chance in a drab second half came in the 65th minute when Jack Colback who had switched to left back ran to the by line and clipped in a cross which was only 4 or 5 yards out if that and still Richardson missed it. That was the sign of things falling out of place with the team still pushing forward and by the 81st minute Bruce’s final dice was thrown when Ji was brought on for the tiring O’Shea.
We still couldn’t find the final pass and when we did we picked the wrong option. In the last five minutes my heart was broken when Westwood passed back to Brown, the most experienced player, should have launched it into row z but he lost the ball and McArthur laid it on a plate for Di Santo (another sub) who really couldn’t miss.
You could hear the chants from the fans of Bruce out from all over the ground and sadly I said it too as I just couldn’t believe we lost to the bottom club. The fans were venting their anger and you really can’t blame them. He hasn’t signed a left winger he doesn’t play Gardner and most importantly we have only won 1 home game since New Year’s Eve I believe.
FT- SAFC 1-2 Wigan- I really think its time for Bruce to go, I haven’t mentioned the Colback shot as I never really saw it. It’s up to Short though but really against Wolves I can’t see a result for us either so if he keeps delaying it we will be in the bottom three. Please Short/Bruce either resign or part ways and get someone else whether it’s MON or push the boat for Hiddink or Benitez. That is my honest view.
Cj
RTG Junior Match Reporter