Sunderland lost 1-0 away at Bristol City in the Championship today, in what looks like Mike Dodds’ final game in interim charge.
Sunderland went into this one looking for a third-straight win after impressive, but unexpected wins over West Brom and Leeds United in two games under the temporary eye of Dodds.
And another win here today would’ve etched his place into Sunderland fans’ hearts with Michael Beale looking set to replace Dodds anytime soon, but it wasn’t to be.
The Black Cats fell to a 1-0 defeat at Ashton Gate owing to a first half penalty from Tommy Conway, leaving Sunderland in 7th.
After the game, journalist Phil Smith rued Sunderland’s inability to turn good attacking play into actual goals; a common problem for Sunderland this season and indeed last season.
Abdoullah Ba struggles in disappointing defeat
It was a frustrating defeat for Sunderland.
They could easily have left with something, but in the end, they didn’t, and they only have themselves to blame.
They created enough chances but couldn’t score and whilst the need for a striker remains ever-clear, the need for a slight change in system, or slight change in mentality, looks somewhat necessary too.
Beale could well bring those necessary changes and he’ll surely have his say on the players should he arrive.
And one player who could now be fearing for his future under the prospective Sunderland boss is Ba.
The Frenchman was rated 4/10 at Bristol City today, with Sunderland Echo writing of his performance:
“Started out on the left but struggled to make an impact. Got into one good position in the second half but fired straight at the keeper with team-mates breaking towards the six-yard box. Couldn’t really take his latest chance to impress.”
Ba unimpressive at Sunderland this season
Today’s performance isn’t the first time that Ba has failed to impress.
He had a spell in the side earlier in the season when he came in for Patrick Roberts and ended up keeping him out of the side because he was performing so well.
But his form has tailed off now and with a change in manager, it could be a testing time ahead for Ba.
Whether Beale or whoever the new boss is fancies Ba as a starter remains to be seen, and the new boss might have a challenge in finding the best position for him as it doesn’t yet seem clear.
He’s no doubt a player with potential but the changes in manager and positions and whatnot won’t help his cause, so expect the 20-year-old to be more determined than most to prove his worth in the coming weeks.