Luke O’Nien has showered one ‘exceptional’ Sunderland man in praise this week.
Luke O’Nien has captained Sunderland through one of their toughest periods in recent years, having come back into the starting line-up against Cardiff after his two-match ban.
Mike Dodds has been at the helm for most of the rough patch, with even Michael Beale managing to pick up two wins four wins during his eleven-match stint in charge.
However, the current interim coach has now managed one win in the last seven games and has most recently come under heavy criticism after the Black Cats endured a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on home turf.
Fans are now eager to see the back of Dodds and are encouraging the club to appoint a new manager before the summer, though there has currently been no indication that that will happen.
Despite Sunderland’s horrific form under the 37-year-old, Luke O’Nien has admitted that he really enjoys ‘working under him’ and has taken the blame away from his gaffer.
Mike Dodds is not to blame for Sunderland horror show
When asked how difficult it is not knowing who will be in charge next season by the Sunderland Echo, the captain said: “It’s something we don’t think about. I know people might have perceptions of what they think of Mike Dodds. I think he’s exceptional, I really enjoy working under him.
“I think with time we will get it right but as a group we let him down (against Blackburn). There’s no beating around the bush, there’s no hiding it. He can give us the tactics, the training was great all week, but if we go out there and don’t do the non negotiables, which no one can coach, you just do it. You run, you keep the ball, you respect the game. If you don’t do that you don’t win games.
“A lot of direct criticism will go towards him but as a player myself, I’m taking a lot of accountability for that, it just wasn’t good enough. I know Doddsy, he’s a strong character and he will do the same and set us up in a way. As a player and as a group we have to be far more accountable and take more responsibility for that because that was unacceptable.”
Will Dodds stay at the club this summer?
Sunderland fans were made aware of how much the players liked working under Mike Dodds during his previous interim spell in charge before Christmas, where they beat both Leeds United and West Brom.
The coach is clearly very likeable and knows what he is doing on a training ground, but translating that into a match-day doesn’t seem to be working out.
Dodds is very inexperienced in these situations, but he has really been thrown in at the deep end this year and that isn’t really his fault.
Dodds didn’t ask to spent months in charge, but instead it was Kristjaan Speakman’s poor decision-making that led us here.
Unfortunately, this poor run of form will affect Dodds’ reputation and could well ruin his confidence as a coach, to which the club board should take the blame.
Hopefully we keep hold of him in the summer and allow him to work with the team with a lot less pressure, because he still has plenty to give to this club behind closed doors.