Sunderland fans have few fond memories of Michael Beale. But he was certainly right about one thing at the club.
Sunderland face Sheffield Wednesday in their final game of the 2023/24 Championship season.
The Black Cats sit in 15th but even if they win at the Stadium of Light this weekend, they won’t finish higher than 13th.
And with the Owls heading to Wearside in good form and needing a point to confirm their safety, it’ll certainly be a very difficult game for Mike Dodds‘ misfiring side.
Dodds has now overseen the same amount of games as his predecessor Beale.
Beale oversaw 12 games in charge in what was the second-shortest tenure of any Sunderland manager, winning four, whereas Dodds has won just two.
But it’s not been easy for Dodds and it wasn’t the easiest job for Beale either.
Michael Beale has been proved right about one thing at Sunderland
Beale appeared on Sky Sports last month.
He spoke about Sunderland before they went on to seal a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the Championship, ending a run of seven games without a win.
Beale discussed the club’s distinct lack of experience, saying:
“The big thing with the Sunderland squad now is it’s very talented and technical, but needs a little bit more experience within the team to get over the line.
“Even in the games since I’ve left and Mike Dodds has taken the team, the results have not probably been what they’ve deserved from the performances, and it’s a little bit of nouse and experience that could probably help the group.”
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Beale was spot on.
Although it’s a view that’s been shared by a lot of fans this season, Beale’s comments on the lack of experience are certainly true, and the issue is certainly something for Kristjaan Speakman to fix in the summer.
But Speakman’s argument will be that the team already has some experienced players, in names like Bradley Dack and Patrick Roberts.
Though both, Roberts in particular, have been very poor this season.
Roberts has become a talking point as we near the summer following what’s been an overall terrible season for the 27-year-old.
He’s failed to score in 31 Championship outings after scoring five and assisting seven last time round.
The Sunderland owners would’ve been counting on players like Roberts to really step up during these tougher patches of form, but that hasn’t happened.
So like Beale says, Sunderland lack experience, but they might also lack, in general, quality and consistency in the players.