'Together' – Granit Xhaka sends honest message to Sunderland fans after disappointing Fulham defeat
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka addresses fans after the frustrating defeat at Fulham and urges calm
Granit Xhaka moved quickly to address Sunderland supporters after the frustrating loss at Fulham, issuing a calm and measured message in the aftermath of one of the team’s most below-par displays since returning to the Premier League.
The captain’s words arrived shortly after full-time as he attempted to refocus the squad and fanbase ahead of a crucial response next weekend. Sunderland had struggled throughout a rain-soaked afternoon at Craven Cottage, with Fulham creating the clearer opportunities and eventually breaking through when Raúl Jiménez converted a low cross from Samuel Chukwueze late in the match.
Before that, Kevin had passed up a close-range header that Robin Roefs gathered comfortably, while Sunderland’s best opening came seconds into the second half when Enzo Le Fée curled narrowly wide. The result leaves Régis Le Bris seeking a reaction after a performance that lacked the sharpness and control Sunderland have shown in recent weeks.
Only after the match did Xhaka address supporters directly, using Instagram to deliver a short but pointed message about how the club should respond. He wrote: “Defeats always hurt – now it’s about how we learn from it and move forward together.”
After the game head coach Le Bris said: "First of all we faced a good team, as expected because they were really good a few weeks ago against Arsenal for example so it was really clear that they have this offensive threat, this ability to create chances, to be dominant with the ball and I think we managed just OK this part during the first half, we are not proactive enough to change, shift the momentum but we tried during the half time to change this part, we had our opportunity I think just during the first part of the second half I think we felt that it was possible to change something but it wasn't enough."
Sunderland had improved notably in the early exchanges of the second half, but Fulham's substitutions would prove key. Emile Smith Rowe impressed and fellow sub Samuel Chukwueze provided the assist for the goal. Le Bris felt his side fell short of the level they have set at times this season.
"It is fair to say that, the subs helped a lot to give this extra energy, different style of play as well and they managed to stay consistent with their threats with different players. They have depth on their bench especially for their offensive players so it's a good reminder about our basics, if you don't win many duels, if you don't win the second balls, it's not possible to impose something," Le Bris said.
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"We struggled to create, we struggled today to manage for example when they went long our man from our press we were not efficient, the intention was really positive, we wanted to impose something defensively but we were not good enough to manage the duels so we had to defend probably around our box just after, probably too often and second balls after their long play as well, so basics are really important in football and if you don't win this part, at least 50-50, you can't impose anything. I think it's another good lesson, we have to be at our best, otherwise the opponent can exploit their strength."