A double from then Wolves striker Steven Fletcher (who went
off injured at half time at Norwich) on 4th December 2011 condemned
O’Neill’s Sunderland to a 2-1 defeat (although O’Neill was in the directors’
box) – and how he could have done with his £14 million summer signing showing
why he justifies his hefty price tag at Norwich. Fletcher’s impressive tally of
6 goals in 10 games for the Black Cats, however, is not the main concern. With
just 13 goals scored in 14 games in the Premier League this year Sunderland are
one of the lowest scoring sides in English football, let alone the top flight.
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| Martin O'Neill has a struggle on his hands over the next few months |
Apart from Fletcher (and possibly Sessègnon), no other
players look like scoring regularly, if at all. James McClean’s impressive
performances last year have not been repeated this season, and the talented
Swede Sebastian Larsson, and Englishman Adam Johnson, have looked a bit off colour
recently. Their talent is undisputed, but they haven’t been producing this
season. Fletcher’s injury will be a concern – with very few options up front,
Sunderland need a clinical striker to put away the few chances they have been
creating.
There are a few positives for Sunderland though. They
deserved an equaliser in the second half against Norwich, and were unlikely not
to have got at least a point. Craig Gardner has been impressive in the midfield
since he returned, with 2 goals in 3 games. Stéphane Sessègnon has looked
revitalised in his role behind and around Steven Fletcher at times since his
goal at Craven Cottage, and Danny Rose put in a good performance on Sunday.
Like any side hoping to achieve something, they have a very good young and
underrated keeper in Belgian Simon Mignolet – he could be important in their
fight for survival.
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| Fletcher's goals could be key for Sunderland |
Sunderland are just 6 points behind 11th place
Liverpool – which shows how tight things are at the bottom. However the fixture
list has not been very kind to Sunderland in the festive period – with games
against Chelsea (H), Reading (H), Man Utd (A), Southampton (A), Man City (H)
and Tottenham (H) to come. A win at home to Reading looks a must, and they must
do everything they can to pick up a few points here and there over December to
ensure they don’t end up slipping into the relegation zone. The schedule is a
lot more promising after this, and an opportunity to strengthen in January may
provide Martin O’Neill with a chance to revitalise and strengthen the squad.
But they must make it through December first and ensure they are still in a
position to fight and capitalise on their turn of games as the winter weather
starts to go away.
It won’t just be the cold weather which sends chills down
Martin O’Neill’s spine as he goes to sleep. The eerie atmosphere of the
relegation zone is creeping up on Sunderland at an alarming rate – and it will
be a true test of O’Neill’s managerial capabilities to see them through the
next few months and return in August with Premier League football.
