Mike Dodds has made a damning claim about Sunderland after their recent 1-0 defeat to Millwall.
Sunderland once again produced a poor performance at the Stadium of Light as they suffered another defeat. Duncan Watmore scored the only goal of the game past his former club to condemn the Black Cats to another miserable day.
The performance has been highly criticised by both fans and journalists for the ‘lack of excitement’ on offer.
Sunderland have now gone another home game without scoring. The hosts have now only scored two goals in their last six games at the Stadium of Light.
This run has now been recognised by Dodds who has delivered a damning verdict on his side after another blunt display.
Sunderland labelled ‘boring’ by Mike Dodds
Despite all of Sunderland’s possession, they could not find a way through Millwall’s backline. This prompted many sideways and backwards passes from the first team causing anger from the unimpressed crowd.
Now, Dodds has recognised how poor Sunderland were in attack as he admits that ‘he didn’t enjoy watching them’.
Speaking to Sunderland Dodds said: “I’m angry, frustrated and annoyed. I feel like with the group it is one step forward and two steps back. I felt in recent weeks that are performances were really professional and we looked like a really solid outfit.
“Today we spoke about things that Millwall will offer in the game which will be setpieces, waiting for that one moment to counter-attack, making the game really dodgy, fouls and Neil [Harris] has come in and done a really good job with them.
“We conceded a goal from one transition; the one moment we said we had to manage. We let them get too many bodies behind the ball too quickly which is what they wanted. They wanted to sink off, deny us space and put bodies behind the ball.
“I’m angry because we didn’t create enough chances and I was bored watching us if I am being completely honest. I just told the group in there that I didn’t enjoy watching the team.
“It feels like one step forward, two steps back with the group and we are going to need a reaction over the next seven days because I can’t stand on the side of the pitch and watch that again. I am sure we have got some really loyal supporters who feel exactly the same.”
More creative-minded players needed a Sunderland
As toothless as the Sunderland attack is, creatively Sunderland has done little.
While there is little the club can do to fix this problem now, the summer presents an opportunity to reinforce the area.
If players like Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke are to depart, this should bring in a big war chest to spend.
Attackers are what the club needs as the defence has performed well in recent matches. Therefore, this cannot be neglected again like the January transfer window or the owners risk missing out on promotion again.