Sunderland Fan View: David Moyes fails to inspire hope

“You have to remember the quality of Everton, where they are and what they are trying to achieve. We are trying to achieve different things at the other end of the table, so there is a gulf in the quality of player.”

I am growing weary of David Moyes’ comments – honesty is not always the best policy. Results do not help his cause either, but if player motivation is a major part in football then what message does Moyes’ latest ‘inspiring’ offering send to his Black Cat squad?

Sunderland remain anchored to the foot of the Premier League table after the Everton defeat, and with Crystal Palace picking up maximum points it provides the Eagles with a three point cushion over Moyes’ side as the relegation battle hots up.

The beleaguered Black Cats are looking for a spark from someone, anyone – but unfortunately it does not appear to be coming from the mouth of the manager, who continues to have an antipathy for positive thinking. Like a pin in a balloon, confidence within the dressing room must now be punctured beyond repair. And it is no thanks to the Scot.

The supporters are by and large a knowledgeable bunch when it comes to football. They know the sort of quality that should be accepted on Wearside, do not have ideas above their station and yet still champion their side when those already low expectations continually fall short – year after year.

Yet for fans, the annual repetition of these struggles never gets easier to endure and surely under those circumstances some positive ‘spin’ is required, a degree of encouragement to those brave souls whose spirit never deserts them or the club. Even in the face of a bleak end to the campaign some optimism from the manager may make all the difference to the players, if not the fans.

I am loathe to continually hark back to what now appear to be heady days under Sam Allardyce, but the difference between Big Sam’s interviews and Moyes’ are stark. Perhaps it is simply rose tinted spectacles. However, I cannot recall Allardyce speaking in such a dispiriting manner when comparing his team to others in the way the Moyes has after the defeat at Goodison Park.

This is not the first time that the former Manchester United manager has brought the mood down even further with his dour quotes. And it is this continual drip, drip of deflating soundbites that can surely only make matters worse. Another gem from August 2016 was,

“People will be flat because they are hoping that something is going to dramatically change – it can’t dramatically change, it can’t.”

There was not even a clamour for dramatic change amongst supporters. Prior to the start of a new season, it goes without saying that fans were not expecting the club to be challenging for the Premier League crown, Champions League places or even a top six finish. Sunderland are ‘trying to achieve different things at the other end of the table’ indeed.

Fans were merely hoping that they could be spared from a season where the draining fight against relegation was inevitable. “People will be flat because they are hoping…”

Yes, hope is all this club’s supporters have at the moment and from the man in charge the ability to provide it should be the bare minimum required.