Sunderland lost 2-1 at home to Swansea City in the Championship today, following a disastrous first half performance.
Sunderland looked to embark on a somewhat new chapter this afternoon.
Sunderland sacked Michael Beale at the start of the week and placed the well-liked Mike Dodds in charge until the summer.
And many thought the visit of a lowly Swansea City side was a welcome start for Dodds in what is his third spell in temporary charge of the Black Cats, but it was far from that.
Swansea dominated the first half; they scored twice through Brazilian Ronald, but could easily have had several more if it weren’t for a formidable Anthony Patterson in goal.
Sunderland were much better after the break and after a change in shape. The Black Cats pulled one back through Luke O’Nien, but ultimately couldn’t salvage a point on what was a disappointing day for the club.
Jenson Seelt struggles in new-look XI
Dodds wasn’t helped by an injury to Jack Clarke for today’s game, and suspension to Dan Ballard.
Those two key absences saw Dodds change the shape today, with Sunderland lining up with three centre-backs on the pitch; O’Nien, Jenson Seelt, and Leo Hjelde.
And the change in shape clearly didn’t do Sunderland any favours, nor Seelt; the Dutchman was widely expected to start in place of Ballard, but he failed to impress in the opening stages.
Journalist James Copley posted on X:
Sunderland still figuring out Seelt
Seelt is naturally a centre-back. But so far at Sunderland, he’s played as a right-back and a centre-back.
Mostly, Seelt has played on the right, with whoever’s in charge looking to utilise his unlikely pace and forward-thinking to Sunderland’s advantage.
But today at centre-back, Seelt looked lost, like Copley points out; he couldn’t keep up with Swansea’s neat passing and fast breaks, with the defence arguably overcrowded with five at the back.
But at 20 years old, he’s still a very young player and someone with bags of potential going forward, though figuring out which position Seelt is best in could quickly become paramount for player and club.
Today’s performance was certainly one to forget for Seelt and Sunderland as a whole, with the change in shape not helping Dodds’ cause.
But it’s one game in the run-in. Whilst a top-six finish looks even less possible after today, Sunderland can still enjoy a strong finish to the campaign and set the tone for the summer and for next season.
Up next for the Black Cats is a trip to Norwich City next weekend.