The major issues raised by Sunderland's latest season card plans and why they must be reassessed

Amongst fans on Wednesday there was confusion, anger, disappointment and no little hurt.

All of which must leave Sunderland with cause to pause, reflect and reconsider.

There can be no questioning the loyalty of the club's support and when so many feel so disillusioned, regardless of their views on the current ownership, something needs to be addressed.

The club's confirmation of their plans for potential refunds for the current campaign, as well as for renewals moving into the next, have been met with a furious response.

The key area of contention is that there will be no refunds to season card holders in the event of games played behind closed doors.

Sunderland insist that anyone who chooses not to renew under these conditions will not be penalised and that is largely the case.

Early-bird pricing has been extended indefinitely, loyalty points are to be protected and seats are to be reserved.

Part season cards will be available at a pro-rata price if next season does begin behind closed doors, but restrictions are at some stage lifted.

Sunderland also say that many fans had expressed a wish to support the club financially and that by renewing, they can do so.

Many have already opted to do so and it is right that those who can't or do not want to at this stage do not suffer in the long-term.

Many issues nevertheless remain.

Firstly, households who spend a significant sum for multiple season cards are set to lose out disproportionately, as they would clearly only need one streaming pass to view any game.

Of course, they do not have to renew, but they will suffer significantly if this season was to resume behind closed doors.

It is also highly likely that those who do renew will ultimately suffer financially if next season does begin without fans. Individual streaming passes cost considerably less than a full match ticket and as of yet, there is no knowing how long it could be until fans are allowed back into stadiums.

Supporters do not have to renew, but many feel they have been put in a difficult position as they want to help the club, but feel the current proposals will mean they ultimately lose out because of it.

Those who chose not to renew could also potentially lose out if some restrictions on fans returning to stadiums are lifted.

Sunderland have said that those who renew now will get priority in that case.

It appears highly unlikely that this season will return behind closed doors.

The likelihood is that third-tier clubs will vote to curtail and as such, supporters will rightly be able to apply for a full refund.

The proposed plans have meant that many will nevertheless feel an increased sense of disconnect from the club.

Sunderland have insisted that the club is financially stable, even if added income from renewals is welcome.

It is fair to wonder, then, if the most sensible approach would have been to hold off making any significant decisions until clarity was on offer with regards to both this season and next.

It was right and corrrect to assure current season card holders and individual ticket holders that they will be refunded in full for any games lost.

Moving forward, though, many would have understood if decisions on next season were delayed until there was greater clarity as to what that campaign would look like.

If there is no major or urgent needed for cash, as the club have stated, then it would surely have made sense to pause until the picture was a little clearer.

Many do and would have looked to support the club regardless, but the current proposals risk punishing them for that loyalty.

It is also and perhaps above else essential that supporters who have renewed but were not fully aware of the plans are given the option to reconsider. As of now, they have merely been told to speak to the ticket office.

Jim Rodwell has said that the club will listen to supporters, and that the situation would be assessed as things progress.

This has to be the case, as clubs have never needed their supporters more than they do now.

There are no easy answers, and no club will produce the perfect solution.

All clubs face a difficult balancing act in maintaining revenue while ensuring that they do right by their supporters.

Much of what Sunderland propose makes sense, but these glaring areas that need to be addressed.

A streaming pass is not the equivalent of the full matchday experience.

It may be part of the solution, and many may accept it as such, but it certainly cannot be the solution by itself.

There could surely be some mechanism to include away games, or perhaps a streaming pass plus the option of a partial refund.

The key is in striking a balance that supports the club, but gives supporters an involvement and a flexibility that they need in a difficult time.

The long-term upside of this would surely be more renewals and a stronger bond.

Times such as these call for dialogue, trust and creative solutions.

It is abdundantly clear that after an already difficult period, more damage has been done to the relationship between club and supporters.

There can be no disguising that many feel this is a particular affront when the club's ownership have still not repaid the parachute payments in full.

Sunderland supporters will always stand by their club, however and wherever they can.

There is surely both time and scope to find a better way forward.

In offering full refunds for lost games and imposing no penalties for not renewing, the club have made some correct calls.

On the other issues moving forward, a period of reflection and reconsideration is a must.