Mike Dodds could now break unwanted 18-year Sunderland record in Southampton clash

This week, when Sunderland plays Southampton in the Championship, they might shatter an uncomfortable 18-year record.

Sunderland are now in a terrible place in terms of form.

Since Sunderland fired Michael Beale last month, the Black Cats have lost their past five Championship games and their first three under Mike Dodds.

 

The team’s performances haven’t been completely dreadful; during their recent games against Leicester City and Norwich City, Dodds’ team appeared dangerous.

 

However, with just one goal scored by the Black Cats without Jack Clarke in the lineup, there isn’t much of a threat.

Mike Dodds could break unwanted Sunderland record

This Saturday, Sunderland will travel a considerable distance to Southampton.

 

Another challenging matchup against a top-six opponent, the Saints will undoubtedly be keen to exploit a Sunderland team that is struggling and has seen a minor decline in play.

 

Before losing to Bristol City in February, the Saints went 22 games without a loss in the Championship; since then, Russell Martin’s team has won two and lost two.

However, it will be the first time in 18 years that the Black Cats have dropped six straight league games if Southampton prevails this weekend and deals the team a sixth straight league loss.

 

The previous time such accomplishment was accomplished was during the 2005–06 Premier League season, when Sunderland finished at the very bottom of the standings after losing five, nine, and six games in a row.

A sign of tough times, but club still on the up

For the Black Cats to go from play-off hopefuls under Tony Mowbray to now being closer to the drop zone than they are to the play-offs is quite astonishing.

Sunderland has had a significant decline in success, and it may not be solely attributable to Dodds or Michael Beale.

 

The Sunderland owners’ impulsive judgments and inadequate planning are to blame for their current run of success.

 

Inadequate preparation throughout the summer and winter transfer windows, which left the Black Cats without a goal scorer and the experience-related balance they need, as well as snap decisions about Mowbray and Beale’s appointment.

 

However, Sunderland is still improving.

 

They have only played in the Championship for two seasons—this one included—so it is impressive that they are already vying for promotion.

There is definitely hope ahead of the next campaign, as the club has a busy summer ahead of them and the manager’s position will draw a lot of elite interest.

 

However, these are hard times, and another loss may rapidly instill unanticipated worries of relegation in Sunderland’s leadership.