Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink slams 'stupid' red card in a blunt assessment of Sunderland defeat

The Black Cats ran-out 3-0 victors against the Brewers, who were reduced to ten men in the second half after Josh Earl was shown a second yellow card after pushing Aiden O’Brien following a heated exchange between the two sides.

And while far from pleased with the defender’s dismissal, which came just as the hosts were beginning to pose some questions of Sunderland, Hasselbaink also delivered a blunt assessment of his side’s defending.

The opening two goals came after Sunderland dup Grant Leadbitter and Lynden Gooch were left unmarked on the edge of the area from set-pieces – before sending fine efforts past stopper Ben Garratt.

For the Burton boss, it was a major disappointment that his side surrendered goals so easily and so early in the game.

“We didn’t start the game well but to get a goal against from a second phase free kick is disappointing, as was the second goal,” said Hasselbaink, speaking to Burton’s official website.

“Even though we weren’t at the races in that first half hour, those set pieces you need to defend better.

“We started really well in the second half. I had to change the system as we couldn’t get a foothold in the game. But then Josh gets a second yellow card, and it is stupid how we got that. I can’t defend him. He has a yellow card, and he needs to stay away from that incident as he knows referees can give cards in those situations. And then it becomes very difficult against a Sunderland team playing with ten men.”

“It’s not going to be a smooth ride. It’s still a big job, it’s just the manner of how we conceded the goals that disappoints me. It was always going to be hard against Sunderland and it’s not a shame to lose 3-0 to them.

“But we are still playing at the Pirelli Stadium and we can’t be turned over that easily.”

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