Sunderland drew 0-0 against QPR in the Championship on Saturday, with one player coming under the spotlight once again.
Sunderland welcomed QPR to the Stadium of Light in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats were looking to end a run of six-straight defeats with Mike Dodds having lost his opening four games in charge ahead of kick off.
QPR meanwhile had pulled themselves out of the drop zone after a run of one defeat in five, and it was the Londoners who had the best opportunities of the first half.
The second half was equally lacking in quality and it was QPR again who arguably has the better chances, though Sunderland have finally ended their losing streak in the Championship.
The Black Cats remain in 12th place of the Championship table.
Nick Barnes ‘perplexed’ by Luis Hemir against QPR
There was a moment in the first half was Hemir dispossessed QPR defender Steve Cook, but nothing came from the incident; Hemir seemed lax in possession and QPR eventually won the ball back.
Giving his verdict at half-time, BBC pundit Nick Barnes said:
“I’m still totally perplexed by; Hemir wins the ball of Steve Cook, leaves him on the floor, Cook gets back up to tackle him because Hemir just seems to stop!”
Barnes added:
“[Nazariy] Rusyn’s not available today, but if that had been Rusyn who made that tackle on Cook, I’m telling you now he’d have been 15 yards away.”
Nazariy Rusyn has recently picked up an injury and there’s no timeline for when he might make a return to action for Sunderland.
Sunderland owners need to address striker issue
This summer, and for what will be at least a third-straight transfer window, the Sunderland hierarchy need to bring in a striker.
Last summer they signed three in Hemir, Rusyn, and Mason Burstow, but the trio have just three goals between them this season, with Hemir yet to score in 19 Championship appearances for the Black Cats.
He once again looked out of place today; Hemir’s lack of fitness has been questioned more than once now, and like Barnes says, he seems to lack a bit of urgency too.
This summer, a new striker is an absolute must. There’s no doubt about it.
And not only that, but Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus need to make sure it’s a striker who can bring something to the table.
Phil Smith recently suggested that Sunderland need to ‘tweak’ their recruitment model so that it favours experienced players rather than purely young players.
This current run of form is certainly highlighting a lack of experience in the side, but Sunderland and Dodds will be happy to end their losing streak.