Fan Letters: More criticism of Taylor’s approach v Burton; Time to bring Aiden McGeady back?

Dear Roker Report,

In the words of the great philosopher Britney Spears “Opps We’ve (ahem) done it again” after watching our first game after Phil Parkinson, I feel compelled to write in.

Andrew Taylor gets the job in a caretaker capacity and what does he do? Does he think “Hmmm things have not really worked out the last few month playing Phil’s way, I’ll mix things up a bit”?

Well we all know the answer is “No” - if anything he set the side up even more defensive. Playing 3 deeper lying midfielders in Power, Scowen & Ledbitter who just seemed to get in each other’s way. None of them knowing whether to stick or twist. Hopefully this will be his one & only game in charge.

Admittedly it didn’t help that our leading scorer. Charlie Wyke got injured, but his answer is to bring on Danny Graham who scoring record is equal to a beach ball, but with a worse goals to game ratio, 47 appearances, 1 goal against 1 appearance, 1 goal. As soon as we can consign him to the record books (ha) the better.

You could see that despite all our possession we were toothless upfront and Burton got their break with a speculative shot (on target mind) which our goalkeeper couldn’t hold, 0-1 and chasing the game. At least this forced Phil 2.0 to make some positive changes, which at least give me a little optimism we have players to play attacking football, although I would have liked to have seen Maguire & Embleton on the pitch together. Max Power took his goal well and it was a change to see a midfield player get into the opposition box! and for once we got a decent cross in as well.

I also thought Will Grigg looked lively and was unlucky in hitting the post, at least he showed some movement and offered something up front. I honestly think we have the foundations of a team that can still get promotion and hopefully the new manager/coach can come in and hit the ground running (unlike Danny Graham) instil some confidence and utilise the squad in a more attacking way.

Keeping the faith.

Dale Robson

Dear Roker Report,

Burton was the worst game of season - Taylor join Parkinson out of the door... and take Matthews with you. At home to Burton with one up front, and the tactics exactly the same, with not one player looking interested?! They need a kick up the arse!

Not one of the players rolled their sleeves up and tried to motivate the others to kick start the game into life. Without a manager I expected at least one of the senior players to step up, but it just did not happen.

I have not got a clue what Taylor said to the team before kick-off, because not until we went to 4-4-2 did we look like scoring - and that's after 80 minutes... they were woeful.

The next manager has a colossal task to mould these players into winners. Last night they were in Parkinson mode, with passes straying all over. I did not see a forward pass until 80 minutes - that’s just embarrassing.

Burton’s first shot what a clanger by Matthews - Parkinson must be pissing himself, he’s left a tit in goal and a team that has forgotten how to pass the ball forward.

The players want to be shitting themselves, because if our next manager was watching the game, he will stick a rocket up their arses. And it’d be fully deserved and needed after that performance.

Caretaker manager Taylor could have earned a longer stay but on that performance, get on the first bus out of Sunderland and sharpish mate. The next manager will inherit a team bereft of confidence and character.

McGeady could be the character they need with his no-nonsense attitude - he speaks his mind, and he would not accept a performance like that from his fellow players. That’s what’s missing, someone to shake them up.

The team cannot afford to leave the only quality player and game changing player we have in the squad out in the cold. The sooner he’s back in the fold. the better.

When January comes I expect a lot of changes, probably loan signings - I can’t wait for a new manager after this performance.

Mark Wild

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Cheers for writing in lads. I’m actually really angry about Taylor’s approach to the game. His job for me was really straightforward - if he wanted to make a good impression, he should have totally changed it up. The game was a free hit really - Burton are shite and we knew this before the match. Why not give the players a real chance to express themselves? Instead, it was more of the same. Awful.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

I notice we are all getting excited about a new manager again. The thing that bothers me is we will still have the same players. Now these players have been accused of being frightened of playing at the Stadium of Light. The excuses range from they “freeze playing in front of a big crowd” “the crowd gets on their backs” but what’s the excuse now.

They are playing in empty stadiums and they are still rubbish.

What manager would want to come here and work with these players?

Fergie and Cloughie working together couldn’t do nothing with them. Hopefully they pull their socks up when somebody does come in or quite a few of them could be out by January.

Will Aiden McGeady be brought back now?

The best player in the league and he’s not in the squad.

Tom Swinhoe

Dear Roker Report,

Who ever comes in will he sort out McGeady and get him playing. What is the opinion - should he start playing, should we get rid, or should we leave him in the U23s?

Ian D

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Ian, Tom - thanks for writing in. There’s definitely a groundswell of opinion in favour of giving McGeady a chance. I honestly think it’s worth a shot. We’re struggling to play attractive football and score goals, and as you say, he wouldn’t stand for the drop in standards that we’ve seen recently. Time for a bit of a shake up.

Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Give Super Kev a crack at it. What’s to lose?

He’d have the whole city, fans, players rooting him on.

Support through the roof!

Martin Scott

Ed’s Note [Gav]: There’s plenty to lose! I’m all for taking risks but only if they are calculated. I ask you this: how many other clubs in this league and the one below would hand SuperKev his first job in management? Is it not telling that he’s actually been unemployed for quite a while? I mean no disrespect to him, but this is not the time to bring him in. If he goes elsewhere and earns his stripes, then this is a conversation for the future.