Sunderland star Luke O’Nien has been quizzed about the boos delivered towards the team following the Hull City defeat.
Sunderland were beaten by Hull City at the weekend, with Anthony Patterson’s error leading to the sole goal of the clash.
It was the first home defeat for Sunderland and Regis Le Bris this season, whose automatic promotion chances appear to be dwindling following two successive losses.
Following the 1-0 defeat at home to the 20th-place Championship side, Sunderland fans showed their frustrations as boos rang around the Stadium of Light.
After the disappointing defeat for Le Bris’ side, Sunderland club captain Luke O’Nien was asked about the unrest from the 40,000+ strong contingent of Wearsiders, to which he suggested an alternative way for fans to deliver their frustrations.
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Luke O’Nien urges Sunderland fans to deliver frustration in alternative way after full-time boos
The 1-0 defeat to Hull City now sees Sunderland sit eight points adrift of the automatic promotion spots, with the current holders Sheffield United and Leeds United both having a game in hand over the Black Cats.
Sunderland simply created very little against the out-of-form Hull City side, with Wilson Isidor being isolated up front, whilst Chris Rigg appeared to be jaded in the centre of the park, meaning that Sunderland fans proceeded to vent their frustrations after the full-time whistle blew.
Sunderland club captain Luke O’Nien was quizzed about the reaction from the fans, per Sunderland Echo, to which he said: “Yeah, there were a few grumblings from myself as well.
“I don’t like losing football. Anyone not grumbling, I think that’s human nature to not win and to grumble. I think my wife was like it as well. It’s human nature. You always want to win, you want to demand from each other.
“You want to be better. As long as you do it in a healthy and positive way where we’re all put in the right direction, that’s all you can do. The fans are massively important. I sometimes tend to zone out of the crowd because I’m focused on what I need to do. I just crack on with the job. When the crowd is right behind us, we can see what it does to our position. It’s our job as players to do our job first. If we do that well enough, we’ll have their support as well.”
Recent home form indicates that Black Cats fan reaction is fully justified
Many onlookers will see Sunderland fans displaying their frustration with their side following the 1-0 loss to Hull City and would expect a more positive reaction because, in the bigger picture, Le Bris’ side currently finds themselves sat 4th in the Championship, and with a likelihood of finishing in the playoffs.
Whilst the season has been positive in a general sense, the performances have been limited at the Stadium of Light, with Le Bris’ side recording draws against Watford and Plymouth Argyle.
Before, the Black Cats’ home record was their biggest asset, and the Stadium of Light was deemed to be a fortress and tough place to go to, but it certainly isn’t the case now.
It is the attacking front that has been Sunderland’s issue in recent weeks at home, showing difficulty getting Isidor on the ball. The Frenchman, per SofaScore, has managed just 69 touches in 353 minutes of action in the last four home games, averaging a touch of the ball just over every five minutes.
Isidor has been crucial this campaign, becoming their top scorer and main focal point up top, but Sunderland’s difficulty in getting him the ball in recent weeks has ultimately led to their difficulties at home, which justifies the unrest amongst the supporters.