Sunderland’s form has been embarrassingly poor over the last month and a half. Since Phil Parkinson took over as manager in mid-October, the club have only managed to win two games of football (WhoScored.com). Parkinson isn’t the only person taking the blame, however, with fans calling out the players as well.
The fans are growing tired of poor results and demand change. However, Roker Report released an article this week indicating that they believed current striker Will Grigg is unfairly taking a brunt of the heat. The club have been unable to score multiple goals in games, and the Northern Irishman has been ineffective in goalscoring. But the fan account claims he is just a scapegoat.
Fans agreed with this statement. They suggest that if Grigg was provided with the right service, he would be scoring far more frequently. The tactics are the problem, not the player.
The man is almost definately a Scapegoat at this point. Against Burton wayward passes towards him from McGeady, Leadbitter, and Power were all met with calling out Grigg, despite doing nothing wrong.
— Robert Armstrong (@irobarmstrong) December 4, 2019
PLAY HIM WITH A PARTNER, SEND THE BALL TO HIS FEET OR JUST IN FRONT OF HIM AND HE WILL SCORE
— realfan73 (@realfan731) December 4, 2019
He’s been hung out to dry in more than a couple of games by having no one anywhere near him.
— Steve Reid (@richy_choc) December 4, 2019
All about supply. Bristol away Power plays just behind him and they scored a well worked goal. That tactic was never repeated.
— John Ridley (@Ridderz86) December 4, 2019
What or who is to blame for the lack of goals at Sunderland right now?
Will Grigg
The tactics
Another fan indicates that any forward would struggle to play in Parkinson’s current system. One fan even believes Lionel Messi would fail in this current Sunderland squad.
A very good article. The real underlying issue is the team lacks creativity, pace and physical size in the midfield. Forcing whoever plays up front to drop deep to get the ball or have balls punted up to them with their backs to goal . Any forward would struggle with that.
— keith coundon (@Keiith_C_1971) December 4, 2019
Messi would struggle with current team and tactics!
— Alex Campbell (@Alexbcampbell2) December 4, 2019
What do we think?
Should the tactics change, perhaps Grigg would start to contribute with goals on a more frequent basis. But with Parkinson still in charge, it is likely that Grigg will continue to be a scapegoat for the fans.