Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien has said that the effort is ‘always there’ and was not the reason for their defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
The Black Cats lost 2-0 to Argyle on Saturday afternoon in their first game back after the November international break.
Morgan Whittaker gave the hosts the lead with a wonderful striker from outside the box leaving Anthony Patterson no chance.
Finn Azaz then doubled their lead just before half time, with Steven Schumacher’s side seeing it out for their first win in four games.
The result means Sunderland drop out of the play-off places down to ninth position in the Championship, two points off the play-off places.
Sunderland player claims effort ‘always there’
Speaking following the loss to the Sunderland Echo, O’Nien said the loss was not for a lack of effort.
“No lack of effort, it’s always there.
“It’s the basic what we build every game off. We didn’t give ourselves a good enough platform for the second half, although we did create enough chances.
“I felt if one came one or two more would have come as well. We just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net and it was one of them days. Lots to learn from and we will learn our lessons and become a better team.”
O’Nien not wrong
You can see every week that the players are giving 100% every week like O’Nien said, they just struggle to put the ball in the back of the net, despite all the chances they create.
Sunderland had 24 shots on Saturday, with eight of those on target – you have to be scoring with that many chances.
Meanwhile Plymouth only had ten, and made there’s count.
It brings up yet again the conversation about the need for a striker – with Luciano Rodriguez from Uruguay linked with a move last week.
Sunderland have not scored with a recognised striker since January when Ross Stewart was still at the club, and they have not properly replaced him after he left late in the summer window for Southampton.