In the absence of star player Jack Clarke, Mike Dodds is determined that his Sunderland team will play to his exacting standards.
We cannot, in my opinion, play any of the games passively. When I was asked about the Leeds game, the questioner seemed to be implying that we sat them off. However, if you watch the game again, you will see that we denied them space, but we were also very aggressive and slightly more forward when the ball found its way into certain areas of the pitch.
Because we are a Sunderland team, we cannot and will not play a passive style of football. Therefore, it may be necessary for us to give up some territory.
Dodds has acknowledged that, with Clarke out until April due to ankle ligament damage, he may need to experiment and adjust the setup in the upcoming weeks.
Even without their top scorer on the team, he is adamant that his team will not back down and will maintain a positive attitude.
Dod stated, “I believe that a catchphrase encapsulating Sunderland’s identity must be used in every game.
Sunderland’s chances of qualifying for the Championship play-offs have diminished following three straight losses, and this week’s Clarke setback has further diminished the team’s chances of finishing in the top six. Dodds called the injury a “crushing blow,” but he is excited about the challenge that lies ahead, which begins tomorrow at Norwich.
He declared: “Whether Jack Clarke plays or not, we still have a vision for Sunderland’s appearance, and it will be my job over the course of the next 12 games to figure that out.
To tell the truth, I am excited about the challenge that lies ahead of me. I believe even the most seasoned coach in the room would find it difficult to handle.
“When you remove someone of his caliber from your roster, you can have the world’s most seasoned coach sitting here. It would be difficult, but it is something I am looking forward to over the coming months, and I will do everything in my power to make sure we approach every game with the expectation that we will win.”