Sunderland: Mike Dodds’ verdict on Swansea City defeat

Mike Dodds conceded that Sunderland’s home loss to Swansea City was the result of his “bold” decision and tactical set-up going wrong.

 

For his first game as interim manager, Dodds changed to a back three and made four changes, but the Black Cats were

disorganized in the first forty-five minutes, when Brazilian winger Ronald

scored a rapid double to give the visitors total command.

 

Though the damage was done in the first forty-five minutes, Sunderland rallied

after the interval and Luke O’Nien cut the deficit in half with 13 minutes remaining.

Dodds said of his choice, “It didn’t work; it doesn’t take an expert to see that.”

 

“I will continue to make risky judgments while I’m in this position, as I proved the last time I did this, and I’ll keep saying that. That will occasionally have a good effect and occasionally a bad one.

 

“It’s odd that, despite our desire to tag players boldly and aggressively, we really set up more conservatively in the second half and appeared more aggressive.

Given our knowledge of their preferred style of play, we attempted to bring more

bodies higher up the pitch in the first half, starting with a back three and

nearly going man-for-man against their front three.

“I wasn’t pleased with our increased aggression and closeness to the players.

We can discuss tactics all day long, but when I watch it again, I believe that the aspects of the game that include landing

on second balls and following runners off your shoulder will leave me feeling

the most let down. I believe those are the parts that I will be most unhappy with.”

“Obviously, there was a lot in the first half that I wasn’t happy with, but the second half was miles better,” Dodds continued.

 

“Me, the staff, and the players have to take that first 45 hard. We all have to

accept responsibility for that as a group because I wouldn’t have sent the players

out if I didn’t think the message was very clear.

 

Although I acknowledge that I’ve been extremely daring in my choices and in how I’ve attempted to set things up, I

won’t shoulder all the blame because there is a link between the players and

me. In the second half, we obviously adopted a different mindset; we were

much more assertive and forward-thinking. foot, and we had far more skill

with the ball. It has nothing to do with strategy.

Jack Clarke, Sunderland’s outstanding player, was sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained against Birmingham last week.

 

“I won’t make excuses, but any team in this league would miss Jack Clarke and Dan Ballard,” Dodds remarked.

 

“I won’t shirk away from the responsibility of being head coach and the fact that the first 45 wasn’t acceptable.”