Sunderland’s experienced players are not doing enough to prove their worth

Its election time, so we should be immune to people cheating a living and pretending to try.

When we watch professional sport, the participants should be above that. You would assume that they have worked hard to get to the level that enables them to make a great living.

So what happens when they come to play for Sunderland? It seems to me that too often players come here and they give the impression of trying - they try to look the part - they do enough, just about enough now and again to make us believe.

Then they hide, they pretend, they pass it back, pass it sideways - they pass it to the young lad.

Players try when they demand the ball - when they move before the crowd ask them to. They get to the ball first, they shake a fist - we are not daft and we can see the ones who try from the stands.

Photo by Dave Howarth/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images

Today, Sunderland played Coventry City - a club without a ground, a club without any investment, a club without any players who are known outside of Coventry.

The Coventry team were faster, they were fitter, and most importantly they were better than Sunderland.

Yet, we salvaged a draw - but did the likes of Aiden McGeady or Chris Maguire really try to make a difference? Did Max Power or Will Grigg give enough to show their ability should have them playing Championship football rather than League One?

Can they look in the mirror and say? “I did my best, I am knackered from the effort that I put in?”

I dont like singling players out, but these lads are our experienced players - they are relatively well known, and for this level are well paid footballers.

Are they doing enough? They will need to look in the mirror and ask that question of the bloke looking back at them.