Rory Fallow and Matthew Keeling reflected on Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers from their opening game of the 2020/21 League One season during a recent edition of the Wise Men Say podcast and the pair spent some time criticising goalkeeper Lee Burge.
The Black Cats went behind in the third minute of this game when the Pirates’ left-back Luke Leahy converted from the penalty spot.
As per BBC Sport, Rovers were awarded this penalty ‘when Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge hauled down Jayden Mitchell-Lawson having failed to hold Max Ehmer’s header.’
Fallow raised the topic of Burge’s role in giving away this penalty during this recent edition of the Wise Men Say podcast, saying: “I guess we’ve got to start with looking at the first goal – really disappointing from Lee Burge.
“For a start, what was he doing coming off his line for that? And then, an absolute joke, if we’re being kind, even, of a recovery to try and come and do what he did to give away the penalty.
Keeling then shared his thoughts on Burge’s actions that led to Bristol Rovers being awarded their penalty, saying: “It was like a passage of play where he did everything wrong.
“He came for the cross, which he was nowhere near, then he inexplicably parried the ball down to give their attacker a chance to get it. Then, he’s nowhere near getting that ball – what is he doing?”
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TIF Thoughts…
Considering that Burge gave away the penalty that resulted in Bristol Rovers taking an early lead in this past weekend’s League One game, it may be understandable why the podcasters have been critical of the 27-year-old goalkeeper.
Hopefully, for Burge and for the Black Cats, the goalkeeper can put this game behind him and go on to deliver some more positive performances to make up for this as Sunderland continue their League One campaign with a trip to Oxford United next Saturday.