Sunderland Fan View: Black Cats' hardworking heritage has vanished

Sunderland fans bore witness to a miracle during the home defeat against Stoke City. The players wearing red and white collectively performed an illusion worthy of inclusion in a Las Vegas magic show – eleven men simply disappeared.

Yet again it was a complete and total collapse by Sunderland and a lack of desire played a significant part – that is unforgivable. It is indefensible for any side to provide their fans with a heartless, gutless showing such as the one put forward by that group of players. However, this is compounded when historically the Black Cats were founded on pride, passion and determination. That was the very attribute that could be guaranteed; the baseline from which everything else could be built upon and the certainty that you knew you would observe from the terraces. Just look at the success Bournemouth, Burnley and Middlesbrough are now having with a similar outlook.

Sunderland’s lost approach was born from the heritage of the local coal industry and the shipyards, where men toiled in rough conditions giving blood, sweat and tears. Supporters would be happy to forgive most of the faults on the pitch if only the players worked as hard as the fans during the week.

The ability of the Black Cats to consistently show that passion and commitment has now unfortunately eroded to the point of collapse – just like the city’s vibrant industries. The club lost its identity some time ago and in trying to re-establish it the team, and more importantly the supporters, have suffered and are continuing to do so.

That is the sad indictment of where this club is at right now and it appears to be mentally factored into the equation to the point where there is now a tolerance of despondency built up over too many seasons of disappointment.

To be fair, the Black Cats have had a decent run of results at the Stadium of Light of late and have enjoyed some success there in the past against the Potters too. Therefore, the spectacular ‘vanishing trick’ was not predicted during the build up of the game. Of course, it should have been when you look at things holistically.

Even a cursory glance at the team sheet should have been sufficient to set most alarm bells ringing. A midfield consisting of a consistently poor Jack Rodwell, a wasteful Jason Denayer and an ageing Seb Larsson is never going have the quality to compete against Mark Hughes’ well-drilled side.

David Moyes has never had a more difficult challenge than the one he faces now at debt-laden Sunderland. Manchester United must seem like a rosy garden in comparison. Wherever the Scot goes from here, at this moment, it feels like he will be met with a dead end.