One Sunderland player had a particularly bad game in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City on Saturday.
The Black Cats were lacklustre from the offset and conceded a penalty within three minutes, while the visitors’ second goal was equally poor play.
It was Regis Le Bris’ first defeat at the Stadium of Light in the 2024/25 season and he will be hoping that it all came down to rotation of the starting lineup.
However, one of Sunderland’s worst players was someone who often starts in the biggest games, albeit that could change if his dismal form continues.
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Sunderland fans were not impressed with Luke O’Nien vs Stoke City
Dan Neil and Simon Moore contributed but it was Luke O’Nien whose poor touch and late challenge gave Stoke the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot.
And it’s fair to say that Black Cats supporters were not impressed at all by the 30-year-old’s mistake, as several displayed on X.
“O’Nien mistake number 826393 of the season,” one fan said about the penalty incident. “People rate O’Nien above [Dan] Ballard. Always have idiots in our fan base,” another added.
A supporter wrote: “Surprise surprise O’Nien diving in like a t__t.” One commented: “O’Nien should be benched.”
“We need to get another CB or two, we should never have to play Luke O’Nien. I love the lad but he is nowhere near good enough. All set pieces he fouls the opponent and just an accident waiting to happen,” another Sunderland fan posted.
“O’Nien is having a nightmare. Drop him. He’s a liability right now when we can’t afford them.” a Tweet read.
The defender had the chance to make up for his error by scoring a header in the first half but his headed finish was not good enough. “Poor effort… we don’t look switched on for this at all,” one fan said.
Regis Le Bris should listen to Black Cats fans about O’Nien
Of course, this was an FA Cup game and, in Le Bris’ mind, an opportunity to rest players ahead of the all-important Burnley fixture next week. The Frenchman deserves no blame for starting O’Nien.
However, the concern for Sunderland supporters is that the Frenchman has more faith in the defender than he should.
Especially after this performance, one could argue that the Englishman should be demoted to fourth choice in his position, behind Leo Hjelde.
Chris Mepham and Dan Ballard are clearly the Black Cats’ best centre-back partnership and should start every important game that they are available. Unfortunately, O’Nien has become somewhat of a liability.