Catalogue of Sunderland shortcomings behind inability to keep clean sheet and win games

For the third game in a row, Sunderland found themselves in front with time running out against Reading but just like against Leeds United and Norwich City, couldn't hold on and get themselves over the line.
Sunderland players thank the away fans at Reading.Sunderland players thank the away fans at Reading.
Sunderland players thank the away fans at Reading.

Sunderland can’t complain about not having opportunities, they have had loads but they are simply not capable of taking advantage and it all looks far too late now.

Chris Coleman praised his players after the Reading game for giving everything over the last four or five games but that spell unfortunately has only brought one win.

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Draws are no good in Sunderland’s position, we can’t draw our way to survival and even in this so-called improved spell there has still been the same weaknesses.

Not being able to defend crosses or set pieces, goalkeeping blunders and missing good chances has cost Sunderland recently and all season and isn’t bad luck.

The latest goalkeeping error gifted Reading the lead before an impressive comeback to get in front but we couldn’t stay there because of another goal conceded from a cross.

Just like against Leeds, Sunderland played their part in what wasn’t a bad game and scored one of the goals of the season from Paddy McNair but everybody knows in Sunderland’s desperate position, an ugly 1-0 win is far more important but how do you do that if you are not capable of keeping a clean sheet?

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Sunderland’s goals against column is truly staggering, 76 goals conceded already, the second worst in the entire division.

Sunderland went into the Reading game and Leeds and Norwich before knowing they had to win.

Find a way to get three points, any way will do, unfortunately despite being in positions to do so, in all three games they failed.