Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which discusses who is to blame for the club’s recent struggles.
The post, which was tweeted by SAFC Fan TV reporter Shaun Middleton, stated: “I guess now it’s a formality that we will be playing third-tier football for a third consecutive year! This isn’t, and never will be, acceptable!”
He then asked fans who they thought was to blame for Sunderland’s recent struggles, to which fans flocked to have their say, with many suggesting that although former Black Cats manager Jack Ross and the club’s current boss Phil Parkinson, as well as the players, should take some responsibility in the club’s failings, Stewart Donald, the club’s owner, is mainly to blame.
Do you think Stewart Donald is to blame for Sunderland's recent failings?
Yes
No
https://twitter.com/ShaunMiddleto15/status/1258690955751890945
Although Ross, PP and the players certainly have to accept their fair share of blame it ultimately comes down to Donald’s appalling decision making.
Just like ES he has the uncanny knack of getting all the big decisions wrong.
— It’s Just Lee (@LMc10_SAFC) May 8, 2020
Buck stops with Donald. He failed to sack Ross in the summer. Blew the summer transfer window as he was preoccupied with flogging the club to Mark Campbell. Waited too long to sack Ross. Hired the wrong man to replace him. Didnt back the manager in January etc etc #safc
— Parker (@Parkersafc) May 8, 2020
All down to Donald imo. He employs & gives funds. He needs to sell very quickly
— Tom (@Leech27Tom) May 8, 2020
100% Donald. So inept and unequipped for the job and can scarcely admit it.
— Bernherf (@bernherf) May 8, 2020
Donald IMO faild again as owner
— Craig S (@CrazyMackem23) May 8, 2020
Donald’s fault mate for spending to much money on Will Grigg. Poor Transfer Business has cost us big time. ??
— KnightsyBTW ?? (@KnightsyBTW) May 8, 2020
What do we think?
Since Donald purchased the club back in May 2018, Sunderland have finished in fifth place in League One, losing to Charlton in last season’s play-off final, while this season the club is currently sitting in seventh place in the league.
However, a recent report from The Athletic has claimed that the League One and League Two seasons are set to be abandoned. This report goes on to explain that League One promotion and relegation could be decided by a points-per-game method, meaning that Sunderland would begin the 2020/21 season in the same league.
As is clear from their comments, it would appear that many of these Sunderland fans feel that this is because of poor leadership from their owner.