There has been lots of criticism thrown at various personnel at Sunderland Football Club in recent weeks. From the owner to the management team to the players (Football Transfer Tavern). Fans are unhappy with the lifeless performances and have voiced their concerns.
However, there was one player who managed to avoid receiving the same amount of criticism. After the 3-0 loss to Scunthorpe United, goalkeeper Lee Burge tweeted out to fans to express his shared disappointment with the result. While it likely didn’t make the fans feel much better about losing, they took his comments to heart. One fan appreciated that Burge wasn’t hiding, while another suggested he was the only Sunderland player who wasn’t culpable for the result.
At least one of the players isn’t in hiding from the flack. Fair play to Lee
— HMcD (@Hmcdnl7) November 13, 2019
The only one to come out without any criticism, shame about the rest
— Daniel Hull (@DanHull22) November 13, 2019
Done what you could bro good luck for the league let’s get back where we belong @SunderlandAFC
— claybrr (@clayton71601487) November 13, 2019
Other fans called Burge the club’s best goalkeeper and encouraged him to keep fit. They don’t want to see the goalkeeper pick up another injury.
Unreal keeper lee lad head up and keep going mate
— … (@sunlunmaddog) November 13, 2019
You are our best keeper. Keep fit.
— Chris F (@Christianfors23) November 13, 2019
And please don’t play if not 100%. We can’t risk another multi-week injury.
— Metrognome (@Soulakiotis) November 13, 2019
However there was one supporter who was having none of it. Whether the message was directed at Burge solely or rather a general comment to the dressing room, he demands the players show enthusiasm when pulling on the Sunderland shirt.
Get some sleep!! Yawning when you’re entering the dressing room pre match!!! Then like your all almost asleep in the last 10 minutes of the game! Your playing for Sunderland the biggest club you will ever pull on the shirt for. You should be buzzing pulling on the shirt!!
— Michael Corker (@Corker1983) November 13, 2019
What do we think?
Burge will be disappointed with the performance against Scunthorpe, but as these fans suggested, he needs to shift his focus towards the league now. Should Sunderland achieve promotion to the Championship by the end of the season, this result will surely just be a footnote in the club’s season.