I recall sitting talking to my father back in Ireland in a well known hotel chain in central Manchester in the aftermath of this game with Bolton Wanderers.
We had just drawn 1-1 with Bolton at the Reebo… I mean the University of Bolton Stadium and we were nothing short of horrendous.
A phone call with my dad after any Sunderland game where he haven’t played well or lost generally has a negative tone to it. After this particular one, the most senior Dunne was calling for the head of our manager Jack Ross.
Demanding the sacking of our manager wouldn’t be unusual for many Sunderland fans let alone my father but it was one of the few times where I tended to agree with his sentiments upon discussion.
Sunderland’s performances under the Scot – he suggested – were rather insipid for most of his tenure. Despite having quite a decent team to choose from in his only full season in charge, Ross’ tactics along with the shock departure of Josh Maja saw us fade away at the most crucial times of the season.Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland – Sky Bet Leauge One.
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Despite getting us to the play-off final, we only scored a goal thanks to the unmerciful disaster that Charlton created for themselves before they scored late on to get a deserved 2-1 victory.
The following season started relatively ok but there felt a growing tension and sense that Ross wasn’t going to make it to Christmas – never mind the entire season.
This performance away to a struggling Bolton team where the away end almost accounted for half of the attendance did nothing to help his case.
Sunderland were so poor throughout and were dealt a sucker punch early in the second half when Bolton defender Jack Hobbs gave the home side a surprising lead. Sunderland huffed and puffed from this point on and tension was growing as the away end began to subject their chants towards the Sunderland boss.
Ross was subjected to a series of less-than-complimentary chants from the 4,037-strong travelling support as the frustration mounted in the second half.
Sunderland supporters chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” as Ross replaced Chris Maguire with Charlie Wyke midway through the second period, and a significant number of travelling fans joined in with the Bolton support as they aimed a chorus of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at Ross.
Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland – Sky Bet Leauge One
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A late penalty from Aiden McGeady saved Ross from an almost certain sacking after this game with the team taking a draw where it almost certainly should have been a victory given the players at their disposal.
In many ways, this was the beginning of the end for Ross.
The fans were less than satisfied with his performances as manager and when things get sour like this, it is almost impossible to rescue the situation from this point. Ross opted not to go over to the Sunderland supporters at the final whistle proving how toxic things had become.
After the game, Ross suggested that the abuse should be aimed at him and not at the players.
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