Sunderland lost 2-1 away at Ipswich Town today, and Michael Graham has given a scathing review of the club’s current fortunes.
Sunderland went up against title-challenging Ipswich Town this evening.
It was a repeat of the opening day fixture at the Stadium of Light and a repeat of the same score line.
The Tractor Boys came from behind to win 2-1 after Jack Clarke opened the scoring; the Black Cats now sit in 7th place of the table and are a staggering 18 points behind Ipswich in 2nd.
Michael Beale has taken seven points from his first five league games in charge of the club. But despite a fairly steady performance today, many aren’t happy with the new boss.
Michael Graham delivers damning verdict on Michael Beale
Beale wasn’t everyone’s first-choice to come in.
After sacking Tony Mowbray, Sunderland were linked with some hugely exciting names like Will Still among others.
But in the end, the Sunderland owners seemed to play it safe with the appointment of ex-QPR and Rangers boss Beale.
The appointment raised some eyebrows and today’s performance especially has given many reason to believe that Beale is not the right man to take the club forward.
Although Sunderland were in the game, it was a very bland watch, with Beale’s selection and substitutions serving to be the downfall today.
And after the game, journalist Graham took to X to have his say on the 43-year-old:
Beale decision undoes all of Sunderland’s good work
Sunderland under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has been making great strides.
There’s a clear plan in place and clear evidence of it paying off; last season’s top six finish being the best bit of evidence.
Mowbray’s sacking may have been a bit premature, but it was always the plan, and for the fans at least, the plan seemed to be bringing in a new and exciting coach to match the staff and the vision.
But Beale just doesn’t match up.
He’s not had a terrible record so far but he’s not had a great one either. Sunderland seem no better under his guidance and there doesn’t seem to be any early evidence that Beale can actually improve what Mowbray had done with the club.
Clarke remains the key man. But he looks destined to leave this year and after that, Sunderland will be left wanting.
Beale already seems like a stop-gap in the project, and not the ‘progresser’ that this current Sunderland boss was meant to be.
Graham’s post may represent the feelings of many in the Black Cats faithful.