Chris Mepham's end-of-year message he hopes will spark a Sunderland improvement
CHRIS MEPHAM admits Sunderland have to rediscover their clinical edge if they are to force their way back into the automatic-promotion hunt in the second half of the season.
The Black Cats recorded 22 shots in Sunday’s game at Stoke, seven of which were on target, but were unable to breach the Potters’ defence.
And to make matters worse, they then conceded a stoppage-time goal to Tom Cannon to ensure they exited the Christmas period having picked up just one point from back-to-back matches against Blackburn and Stoke despite having a strong claim to have been the better team in both games.
The lack of a proven ‘number nine’ has been an issue all season, and it remains to be seen whether Sunderland are finally able to rectify the problem in the January transfer window.
However, with the Black Cats having scored 36 goals in their 24 league games, it is not as though they have been unable to find the net this term, and Mepham accepts it is about being clinical when opportunities arise.
“We create really good chances,” said the Bournemouth loanee. “I think the lads were saying after 20-odd shots (against Stoke), to come away having not scored is tough.
“Again, it shows that we're creating opportunities. But another team will be more ruthless on the day. I think we just need to be more clinical, and obviously, that comes from training and keeping our standards.”
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Things might have been different at the bet365 Stadium had Sunderland been awarded a penalty in a contentious incident just before half-time. Mepham clearly appeared to have his shirt pulled back as he tried to reach the ball in Stoke’s 18-yard box, but referee James Bell allowed play to continue.
Did Mepham think the official should have pointed to the spot? “I think so,” he said. “I've just seen a picture back. I felt at the time that it was (a penalty). I just remember my shirt being yanked back and trying to stretch for the ball. I've just seen a picture there in the changing room. But, yes, the less I say, the better, probably.”
A goalless draw would have been a disappointing enough outcome as Sunderland played their final game of 2024, but worse was to come in stoppage time when Cannon fired home what proved to be the winner.
Again, that proved a controversial moment, with Sunderland’s players feeling Aaron Connolly had been fouled in the build-up to the goal. And even then, Cannon needed a fortuitous rebound to fall into his path before he fired past a helpless Anthony Patterson.
“I think the first part looked like it was a foul on Aaron,” said Mepham. “I remember at the time, it looks like he just gets tugged down to the floor. Then, I think it was a bit of a slight tackle from Cannon and it falls back to him.
“But it's a soft goal to concede, and like I said, that hurts as well. Like many games this year, it's not like we're being carved open by teams. It's a lot of the time, a set-play, a second ball, a second phase from set-play.
“So, again, there's positives to that, that we're not being cut open. But, at the same time, it's such an important part of the game. I think we need that resilience back to make it really difficult for teams to score goals. Hopefully, we can get back to that.”
Having closed the book on 2024, Sunderland play their opening game of 2025 when they host second-placed Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day evening. The Blades also picked up a solitary point from their two Christmas matches, following up a home defeat to Burnley with a 1-1 draw with West Brom.
