It all feels a little bit hopeless at the moment. As if a sense of drift has set in at the Stadium of Light, like a ship caught in the doldrums with a demoralised crew, torn sails, a knackered compass and dwindling supplies.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way and we’ll come onto that later, but as Dinamo Zagreb and their raucous Bad Blue Boys travelling cohort celebrated a thoroughly deserved Europa League victory over an increasingly shambolic and witless Sunderland, it’s becoming harder to deny that 2026/2027
is in danger of becoming the ultimate let down of a campaign; something that promised so much but has delivered so little, and a generational opportunity that’s in real peril of turning into a generational fumble.
In summary, Zagreb were efficient, sharp, smart and well-organised — everything Sunderland once were but haven’t been for any longer than brief periods this season.
Their goals, courtesy of Drena Beljo and Luka Stojković, were well-taken and there can be little argument against the case that over the course of the ninety minutes, the Croatian visitors deserved the victory and that the Lads — despite some flashes of promise in the second half, some decent chances and a Wilson Isidor goal being ruled out for offside — were worthy of nothing.
Don’t get me wrong: Jules Ahoka was lively and looks like a real prospect, whilst Chris Rigg was tireless and Malick Fofana and Nilson Angulo did their share of the heavy lifting, but it wasn’t enough.
Everyone in red and white needed to turn up big time if we wanted to pick up what would’ve been a morale-boosting win, and too many failed to do so. Misplaced passes? Check. Defensive slackness and set piece routines that Beadle’s About would’ve exhibited under the guise of slapstick masterpieces? Check. Familiar failings, but no less painful.
The harsh reality is that at this stage, the halcyon days of 2025/2026 are fading into the rear view mirror.
This was a truly dismal evening for everyone connected with the club and one that’ll surely bring the security of Régis Le Bris’ position into even sharper focus.
The ‘vote of confidence’ (in reality, the ‘vote of PR speak, worrying references to data and a belief that somehow, it’ll all be OK’) might’ve arrived on Monday, but the head coach needed a big night on Thursday, and the exact opposite happened.
Peculiar decisions reigned supreme, with the half-time hooking of the impressive Ahoka a particular standout, and once again, there was little cohesion, fighting spirit or ability to solve problems as they appeared on display from the Lads. It’s all unravelled at the speed of light and Chelsea on Sunday now feels like the most forlorn of assignments.
Le Bris isn’t blameless and his role in our decline can’t be overlooked, but too many of these players have taken their eye off the ball this season and it’s being reflected in the nature of their performances. Complacency is dangerous in this game and Sunderland currently are the very epitome of it, in my view.
As we did during the dreary 0-0 home draw with Leeds United, praising the players if and when they decide to turn it on and actually put some effort in is to miss the point by a mile.
Selectively deciding to actually compete in a game, to apply yourself in spurts and to show the right attitude when it suits you is to cheat the fans and to cheat the head coach that shows so much faith in you.
Qualifying for this competition might’ve been a “Everest moment” for many of these players, but as they’ve done all season, they simply didn’t show enough of the qualities that advanced metrics can’t quantify yet your eyes will always pick up on.
Sunderland are going nowhere fast right now and if anyone still feels cold comfort in crunching the numbers and clutching at data in order to keep the flame of faith burning, good luck to them.
Within the confines of the dressing room and on the training ground, there needs to be some brutal honesty being dished out, because continuing down this path is only going to lead to one outcome: a season of colossal struggle and fan unrest growing by the game.
European football was the reward for an immense effort last season — from the players, coaches and fans alike. Last night, Sunderland went down with barely a whimper, and after dreaming of these occasions for most of our lives, all that was left was a bitter aftertaste and a gnawing feeling of frustration.
Is this salvageable? Yes, but changes must be made. The upcoming days have the potential to be very interesting.
5 November 2026
UEFA Europa League
Stadium of Light
Attendance: 44,269
Sunderland: 0
Dinamo Zagreb: 2 (Stojković 22, Beljo 39’)
Sunderland: Roefs; Meunier (Hume 45’), Danso, Alderete; Méthalie (Reinildo 45’), Ahoka (Sadiki 45’), Xhaka; Angulo, Rigg (Le Fée 46’), Fofana; Isidor (Brobbey 64’)
Subs Not Used: Moore, O’Nien, Jones, Talbi, Tuteriov, Proctor
Dinamo Zagreb: Kotarski; Valincic, Galesic, Dominguez (Radeljić 46’); Goda (Perez Vinlöf 80’), Lisica, Misic; Stojković (Ivanušec 64’), Kacavenda, Beljo (Prevljak 70’); Orsic (Hoxha 80’)
Subs Not Used: Almena, Filipović, Mikić, Dani Rodríguez, Zagorac, Zajc, Šunta
