Fans could be forgiven for feeling frustration and anger at the recent results of their club. After a few years of steady decline from the Premier League, Sunderland now sit just outside of a playoff spot in the EFL League One (Sky Sports). It is not where fans hoped they would be at this point, but that’s the current reality.
This week Sunderland fan website, Roker Report, posted an article on Twitter. The article’s message was that fans needed to keep themselves accountable, the same way they hold the owners, managers and players accountable. However, this message didn’t sit well with some supporters. They don’t think they should hold any of the responsibility for the team’s shortcomings.
Why should us fans be accountable for what’s happening it’s not us making the mistakes I can’t remember the last time I was selected in midfield
— Gary Addison (@COGpiece) November 14, 2019
Has there been any SAFC match at all since our new owners arrived, whereby any negativity, never mind toxicity, has been shown towards them? None
Any towards a manager? A couple
Towards the players? A few
The fans are not the problem nor the solution to this mess.
— Gary Burrell (@GaryBurrell76) November 14, 2019
I’m going to take Martin at his word and hold him accountable.
This is nonsense.
He’s fallen in to the trap of a) giving far too much weight to what is said in social media b) massively overstating the impact that fans have on the what goes on at the club. pic.twitter.com/bh6qKE7TIl
— It’s Just Lee (@LMc10_SAFC) November 14, 2019
Other fans claim this is one of the worst teams they have seen play at the Stadium of Light. Another wants journalists to take a serious look at the deals being made at Sunderland.
Who knows what is going on behind the scenes but the given is the mediocrity on the https://t.co/FOA0C2aG81‘s as poor a team as I can remember in my time supporting the club.1 or 2 new signings,sorry we need new recruits in every position.I worry more of the same will arrive
— Barrie Waller (@barrie_waller) November 14, 2019
Wish some real journalists would look into the dealings at Safc since these owners took over.
— phil murphy (@murfp) November 14, 2019
When someone tried to back the article up, claiming that fans don’t need to keep quiet, but perhaps change their tune, another responded. He suggested that up until this point, he hasn’t seen anything worrying from fans on Twitter.
The vast majority has been civil as far as I can see. And the very real danger here is that entirely valid concerns about the abject performance of the football side under the Donald regime are given equal weight to headbangers and online venting – and thus are ignored.
— Paul Clarke (@Le_Chou_Fleur) November 14, 2019
What do we think?
Fans have every right to voice their opinion, but it seems as if there are a few who are suggesting a more conservative approach to sharing criticism is the answer. These Sunderland fans don’t agree, however, suggesting that their actions don’t determine football matches.