This week should be considerably better than the last for Sunderland AFC both on and off the field.
The Black Cats’ 2-1 loss against Birmingham City last week got off to a poor start, ultimately leading to manager Mick Beale’s dismissal.
Dodds will do all in his power to ignite the team as they approach the hectic finish of the season, as Sunderland is still in the race.
As the club prepares for their next game, we have decided to look at the latest news coming out of the club…
Mike Dodds makes a Sunderland play-off claim
As was already established, Mike Dodds’ first match back as Sunderland’s manager ended in a 2-1 loss against Swansea.
Luke O’Nien pulled one back in the second half, but it was only a consolation goal for the Swans, after Brazilian winger Ronald scored twice in the first half.
However, the Black Cats have now lost three straight games against the Welsh team; their most recent victory came against Plymouth Argyle earlier this month. Despite the drop in form and defeat on Saturday, Dodds remains optimistic about Sunderland reaching the play-offs.
He told The Northern Echo: “There are still 12 games to go, and I am going to be really naturally optimistic because I know we have some really good players.
“The result today isn’t going to help the push for the top six, but we still have 12 games to go, I’m still confident in the way we work, I’m still confident in terms of the group we’ve got.”
Carlton Palmer questions Alex Neil link
There won’t be a new manager appointed for the duration of this season since Sunderland has appointed Dodds to lead the team until the end of the season.
That doesn’t imply, though, that the team won’t be considering potential candidates for the position of manager, and managers may even submit applications.
This appears to be the case with Alex Neil, as journalist Alan Nixon reports that Neil would be happy to make a comeback to the Stadium of Light.
However, former England player Carlton Palmer has cast doubt on the connection, saying he finds it extremely improbable that Sunderland will go back to their previous management.
He exclusively told Football League World: “Reports are suggesting that Alex Neil, former Sunderland boss, would be interested in exploring the option of returning to Sunderland.
“Neil led Sunderland out of League One through the play-offs and was doing very, very well at Sunderland before walking out to take the Stoke job and in doing so he criticised the way that the club was run and the transfer situation with the hierarchy.
“So, that’s not going to change, and I think the way that he left the football club was not in a good way and then his comments.
“So, I think it’s highly unlikely that Sunderland will revisit the Alex Neil situation, and again, I thought at the time, you know, I do rate Alex Neil as a manager, and he’s done very, very well at previous clubs, but it’s surprising how many times, when you, do walk out, and I understand his reasoning for doing so because obviously Tony Mowbray had the same problems with Sunderland, also he took over and got them in the Championship play-offs.
“He also questioned the hierarchy of the situation as regards transfers etc. and the way the club was run.
“But i think it’s very unlikely Sunderland would revisit and bring Alex Neil back and, unfortunately for Alex Neil, he moved on to Stoke, and he didn’t fare very well there given the opportunities that he was backed in the transfer market by that club.”
Jack Clarke’s Sunderland wish
It seems as though Sunderland may finally lose their outstanding player, Jack Clarke, during the forthcoming summer transfer season.
Football Insider claims that although the Black Cats are willing to let go of the winger, they are still holding out for £20 million.
According to a recent report from the same source, Clarke is optimistic that Sunderland won’t obstruct his departure this summer.
The 23-year-old’s contract at the Stadium of Light will expire in two years, but it appears that he is prepared to move on when the time is right. West Ham United are one side that are said to be keeping an eye on the player, as well as Crystal Palace and Championship side Southampton.
Clarke has been in excellent form for Sunderland once again this season, as he’s scored 15 goals and recorded four assists in 33 league appearances.