Stephen Elliott: Lack of quality and Sunderland are too pedestrian but at least Lee Johnson can see the problems

Whichever way you look at Saturday night’s result against Hull City, it was another draw in League One and, yet again, a performance in which Sunderland didn’t do enough to warrant a win.

After the Lincoln result a few weeks back, where the team looked energetic and flowed well when going forward, the subsequent performances have not been massively different to what we were seeing under Phil Parkinson.

This is not a blot on the new manager, it just highlights that many of the players he has inherited don’t suit the way he wants to consistently play.

We’ve seen a change of formation with Jack Diamond and Aiden McGeady in the team and overall Lee Johnson has introduced a little bit of zip and creativity to the way things are done.

Away from this though, it’s pretty hard to see huge improvements on the pitch. It just seems so pedestrian at times and frustratingly there’s a real lack of genuine quality out there in red and white.

At least the best bit of football in the game did actually come from Sunderland.

Grant Leadbitter was the catalyst for the goal, and he showed that despite his older age, he is still sharp in the mind.

It was a fine goal with Leadbitter and Diamond’s quick thinking setting up McGeady for a clever header which caught the Hull defence by surprise.

I feel that, unlike under Parkinson who I didn’t think was capable of turning things around, Lee Johnson is totally aware of what is wrong with the team and can change the team’s fortunes in the future.

Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume have both been absent for most of Johnson’s time in charge and I feel both their styles would suit the quick tempo the new manager is trying to inject into his team.

With the signing of Carl Winchester, Johnson has already been active in trying to rectify the current squads’ issues but there more is needed.

As I keep mentioning, staying in League One for another season is a failure. This club and its supporters deserve better but if Johnson does have to wait until the summer for more additions it might not be a complete disaster.

There are numerous Sunderland players out of contract in June.

This may give him the chance to free up wages which in return will let him add players to the squad that are more accustomed to his system and methods.

There is usually a bigger pool of quality players available in the summer to chose from, this may be a better strategy than making signings in January just for the sake of it.

Hopefully, new man Winchester won’t fall into this bracket and he proves to be a good signing. It seems Johnson knows all about his man and he will be hoping he can add some much-needed energy into the team.

I know a lot of people say it’s hard to attract players to the North East but I still believe the better quality players at this level, and above for that matter, will be interested in playing for the football club if the chance becomes available. It’s vital they are the right players.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of SAFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor