Journalist Michael Graham has given a scathing assessment of Michael Beale at Sunderland following a fourth defeat in seven.
Sunderland welcomed Hull City to the Stadium of Light this evening, for what promised to be an exciting game between two likewise, play-off chasing teams.
But that promise was completely broken after a turgid 90 minutes of football from both both sides, settled by a deflected volley from Hull’s on loan midfielder Fabio Carvalho.
Boos rang out at half-time and full-time from the Sunderland faithful.
Beale has now overseen seven games in all competitions and he’s lost four of those, losing the last three, with the Black Cats now in 8th place of the table.
Michael Graham tells Sunderland to end Michael Beale project
Tony Mowbray‘s sacking gave Sunderland a chance to bring in a new boss, and truly set out on their long-term vision.
Several names were linked with the job. Some were exciting names too, but Beale’s appointment was something of an anticlimax.
And after the game, journalist Graham gave his latest review of Beale at Sunderland, posting on X:
Beale destined to fail, but fans set for prolonged misery
The Sunderland board showed a light ruthless streak in sacking MOwbray.
He was performing well and was very popular among the fans. Now, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and co have a huge decision to make.
Do they sack Beale before things go too far the wrong way, or do they back themselves, and back Beale?
Sacking Beale now, or even within the next few weeks would greatly weaken their position and the confidence that fans have in them.
It seems highly likely that the club will at least give Beale some new signings in this month’s transfer window, and then a bit of time to see how, or rather if, he can galvanise this side.
And it wouldn’t really make any sense to sack a manager right in the middle of the transfer window.
This season is rapidly starting to look like a null and void one for Sunderland, and Beale is rapidly becoming an unpopular appointment after some awful team performances.
Results may be forgiven with a new manager. But Sunderland fans simply can’t live with this lacklustre, timid football that we’re seeing under Beale right now.
Right now, Beale seems destined to fail. Though it seems like supporters will have to endure his football for a while longer yet with the board seemingly unlikely to make a hasty decision on his future.
Up next is a home game vs Stoke City next weekend.