Lee Johnson needed only 90 minutes to see what Sunderland fans have been complaining about since that harrowing defeat to Burton Albion consigned them to life in League One two-and-a-half years ago.
The Black Cats dominated 72 per cent of possession at home to bottom-of-the-table Wigan Athletic on Saturday, while out-shooting the visitors 16-1. If we told you the game finished 1-0 to the Latics, would you really believe us?
Then again, those of you who have been watching Sunderland’s seemingly endless descent into mediocrity from behind the back of the sofa won’t be surprised by this latest ‘rock-bottom’ moment.
Speaking after the game, and just a few hours after his appointment was confirmed, Johnson spoke of the need for “pace and power” in attack (Echo).
The former Bristol City boss is desperate to add some unpredictability to his front line – one he attempted to spark some life into by bringing Aiden McGeady in from the cold.
To make matters worse, a player they came so close to signing in January last year is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship.
It never rains but it pours on Wearside.
As reported by the Independent, Leyton Orient rejected a £300,000 Sunderland bid for Josh Koroma before Huddersfield Town snapped up the sprightly young winger. The Black Cats’ loss has most certainly been the Terriers’ gain.
With five goals already this term, Koroma is everything Sunderland are crying out for – quick, inventive and capable of winning a game in an instant.
“He’s been fantastic,” teammate Jonathan Hogg says about a man who has benefited immensely from the arrival of head coach Carlos Corberan.
“He was out in the cold a bit last year but has come back flying this season. He’s lost a lot of body weight and his fitness has been fantastic. He’s worked hard – and credit to him.”
As Son Heung-min cut inside and sent those 2,000 socially distanced Spurs supporters into raptures in Sunday’s north London derby, those in West Yorkshire were keen to point out one thing. 24 hours earlier, in a 2-0 victory over QPR, Koroma did something startlingly similar.
For Sunderland, however, any goal will do right now.
Here’s how some Huddersfield fans on Twitter compared the two goals:
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