I certainly do not need – nor want – to rehash and retell the story of one of the club’s worst Premier League defeats in recent times. Of course, with some of you potentially reading this travelling to the Stadium
of Light for today’s game with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and digesting all the pre-match articles before the game starts, I’m conscious of not putting you in a hugely negative mindset.
In truth, I reached two minutes and twenty-seven seconds of Southampton’s eight-minute ‘Classic Match’ video on YouTube of their 8-0 hammering of us before having to turn it off. After Santiago Vergini’s truly unbelievable own goal, it was nearly enough.
This day in 2014 was a dark day for the club. The 2014-15 season was already a slow burner where Gus Poyet’s team looked particularly short in creative areas. At the very least, we looked quite solid at the back, which saw us earn multiple draws and only one win up until this point in the season.
This game in St Mary’s was the day that we imploded with the 8-0 defeat, making us a laughing stock across the entire footballing world. Between the comical own goals and the inept and lazy defending, this was an embarrassing day for all associated with the club.
After the game, Poyet didn’t even try and attempt to find any positives, labelling the defeat as embarrassing and lambasting the attitude of some of his players. In addition, the Sunderland manager suggested that whilst he will not watch the game, he may force his team to watch the full ninety again as punishment for such a chastening defeat.
Where do I start? First, it was the most embarrassing (moment) I’ve had on a football pitch without any doubt. I feel sorry for the supporters. I thought we were creating something between the team and the supporters – they made a long trip and they deserved better. What I say in the dressing room stays in there.
I use the word ‘embarrassing’ because I’m trying to be respectful. This is not an easy (press) conference this one, I need to be very careful what I say. I’m responsible.
It’s going to be a difficult week. The players who are on the pitch next week are going to do something about it. I don’t think I want to watch that again. Sometimes I make clips. I wouldn’t have time to make as many clips as I need. Maybe the players will watch it. Maybe it will be good therapy for them to watch themselves.
Embarrassing it was, and whilst the manager stayed in his job until the following March, I do recall feeling that this was a moment that the Uruguayan was never going to recover from. Further issues, such as the defeat to Bradford in the FA Cup, a hammering off Aston Villa at home, along with comments made about fans’ expectations, all made his job untenable by the time March 2015 came around.
