Sunderland fans were struggling to agree over the performance of one man following the Plymouth Argyle draw.
The Black Cats were held to a plucky 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light to an out-of-form Plymouth Argyle side.
Despite going into the dying minutes with a lead, Sunderland struggled to hold on after the ball fell to Nathaneal Ogbeta inside-the-box, slotting it past the helpless Anthony Patterson.
In a game that many have suggested to be a missed opportunity to make up ground on Sheffield United, who lost 3-0 at home to Hull City on Friday evening, questions were asked as to why he looked to bring in Salis Abdul Samed, who has certainly split the room after his showing against the Pilgrims.
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Sunderland fans remain split over Salis Abdul Samed after Plymouth Argyle draw
Black Cats summer signing Salis Abdul Samed was handed his first start of the 2024/25 season after initially joining up in Wearside with an injury.
With there being plenty of optimism that the 24-year-old Ghanaian international was going to add extra brilliance to the centre-of-the-park, many fans have taken to X to give their honest thoughts on his home debut.
Many pin-pointed the lack of progression in his play against Plymouth, with one fan suggesting that ‘he was far too slow, constant back passes and side passes, 95% pass accuracy is pointless if it doesn’t get you anywhere’.
Another Black Cats supporter also said that ‘he looked a little lost at times…first start to be fair to him’, and he was joined by another fan that noticed the lack of intensity in his play, followed by making the bold claim that ‘he’s either not fit enough or not good enough. Either way he should have been nowhere near that team today’.
On the other hand, one fan opposed the masses by suggesting that there were ‘plenty worse players on the field than Samed today’.
Some showed sympathy for the fact that, whilst his performance wasn’t ground-breaking, he was utilised in the wrong game due to his style being better suited against the sides that will pin the Black Cats back. ‘Actually thought he did his job well, not his fault he was picked’, said one fan, who agreed with another supporter’s claim that he ‘seems like a great player to play against the harder teams in the division though’.
Salis Abdul Samed inclusion caused balance issues that Plymouth Argyle exploited
Looking at the issues that Sunderland encountered in their draw against Plymouth Argyle, it is clear that, per SofaScore, managing just 12 shots in total, and creating a total xG of 0.58, less than their opposition, is far from where they should be aiming for.
Wilson Isidor looked isolated up top for Regis Le Bris’ side, and that ultimately came from the lack of progressive passes made by the defensive-minded midfield.
Ultimately, the French boss’ system to work, Dan Neil and Samed simply can’t be utilised in the same side, unless in a game where Sunderland are looking to sit back.