On Saturday, Sunderland and Bristol City drew 0-0 in the Championship.
On Saturday afternoon, Sunderland returned to the Stadium of Light to play Bristol City.
After the Black Cats’ 5-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday, they were hoping for a response, and Mike Dodds provided one.
Compared against Blackburn, Sunderland appeared far more hungry and motivated from the off.
In what was his comeback to the starting lineup, Jack Clarke might have had a chance to take one of their chances to take the lead in the first half.
Although the Black Cats were a touch slower after the interval, Pierre Ekwah was nonetheless another excellent performance in the first half.
Less fun was had in the second half. However, Sunderland and Dodds will undoubtedly accept a point and a clean sheet following that Blackburn loss.
Mike Dodds Sunderland team selection
Journalist James Copley also emphasized Tom Watson’s exclusion from the side. The 17-year-old has been turning heads at the Academy of Light and there are growing calls to promote the Clarke-like winger. Dodds’ team selections, tactics, and substitutions have all come under fire in recent weeks. Last time out vs Blackburn, Dodds was questioned for bringing Clarke on at 4-0 down in the second half. There were also one or two surprises with his selections for Bristol City. One was Abdoullah Ba, who was completely left off the matchday squad. The Frenchman has undoubtedly been a divisive player in recent weeks.
Mike Dodds needs to experiment with team selection
It might benefit the club, even if Dodds has made it clear that he won’t be experimenting with this Sunderland team in the last few weeks of the season.
Over the summer, a new manager will take over, and they will still take the time to examine each player.
However, it could allow the next manager a little more room to maneuver if Dodds can bring in a few more players, Watson in particular and perhaps some of the other rising talents at the club.
After seeing such success with Chris Rigg, Sunderland will undoubtedly aim to promote a few more young players in the upcoming campaign.
Furthermore, Watson appears to be another rising star, and as Copley points out, there isn’t much more he can do to contend.
In the end, Dodds will decide, albeit at the moment, given this difficult run of form, he appears more concerned about outcomes.
Given the low stakes, it might not be a bad idea to give Watson a few minutes.
Latest on next Sunderland manager
According to recent rumors, Paul Heckingbottom is Sunderland’s top target ahead of the summer. Should he receive an offer, the former Sheffield United manager is predicted to accept the position.
Although supporters don’t seem to be thrilled about the seasoned Defoe assuming the helm, former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has expressed interest in the position elsewhere.
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