Fan Letters: “There’s No Defence For Friday Night’s Performance”
Gavin Marshall-Elliott was wholly unimpressed by the Lads’ efforts against Forest, and wants them to put it right.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Daniel Ballard of Sunderland reacts after Nottingham Forest's second goal scored by Chris Wood during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Nottingham Forest at the Stadium of Light on April 24, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images Want to have your say on all things Sunderland? Drop us a line and we’ll publish your views!
RokerReport@yahoo. co. uk Dear Roker Report, Sunderland taking us to dizzy heights so we can see the summit before they fall off the cliff edge is part and parcel of being a Sunderland fan.
We accept that teams will beat us, and our loyal fans turn up more in hope than expectation even when expectations are high, but what our loyal fans won’t and shouldn’t tolerate is our team just not turning up. It doesn’t matter which division we’re in but all we ask as a minimum — especially at home — is that these highly-paid footballers turn up. These footballers have one job that matters, and that’s to perform for ninety minutes once a week.
Results and performances like this hurt the fans that graft and hope to escape the trials and difficulties of the life they face every day, and all they ask is those that wear the shirt and take the shilling perform for ninety minutes a week. Sadly, on Friday night — like four years ago in Bolton, 2018 in Southampton or 1982 in Watford, etc — the wheels came off but not all disasters end in a spanking and I think back to Port Vale, Fulham or Brentford, where we just didn’t turn up. The whole team (including the backroom staff) owes the fans an apology for the Nottingham Forest game but more importantly a performance in the next game.