Michael Beale has stood up for Sunderland youngster, Abdullah Ba following his poor performance in the 3-0 defeat against Coventry City.
It is safe to say that this weekend didn’t go as any Sunderland fan or Michael Beale would have wanted it to. The manager’s first game in charge at the Stadium of Light saw his side fall to a heavy defeat.
Despite having more possession than the opposition and creating more expected goals on the day, according to FotMob, the Black Cats couldn’t score. This has emphasised the lack of a striker who provides a guarantee of goals in the Championship.
With just one goal scored in their last three games, there is clearly an issue taking chances within the squad. Abdoullah Ba started up front against Coventry but didn’t receive much by the way of praise.
What has been said about Abdoullah Ba?
Ba has featured in all of Sunderland’s last three games and has been substituted off in each of them. He has generally failed to impress in his cameos so far this season, especially playing as a lone striker.
Speaking with Chronicle Live, Beale opened up about the starting XI and the issues the Black Cats have upfront.
On that, he said: “They didn’t return to train with the group until a light session on Wednesday or Thursday. We went with bringing Jobe [Bellingham] back in [in place of midfielder Alex Pritchard, who missed out through illness] and kept quite a settled team from last week.
“I thought it didn’t work in the first half, we looked a bit powder-puff in the final third, if I’m honest, although our approach play wasn’t bad.”
It is safe to say that fans and pundits alike weren’t as sure as the Sunderland boss and his comments regarding his side.
For example, the Chronicle Live’s player ratings were far from complimentary. Especially of Ba and his performance.
On that, they said: “Fans cheered when he was substituted which says it all, really. His touch was poor throughout and he missed a gilt-edged chance in the first half. Woeful.”
It must be said that Beale was pleased with the Frenchman and his performance. Despite his horrendous miss, he said: “Abdoullah actually started the second half quite well.”
It is a difficult time for the Black Cats, especially in an attacking sense. All fans would like to see Ba’s performances pick up, but whether it will happen is yet to be seen.