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da leao： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
It’s official. Jack Ross has lost the fans, and it now feels like only a matter of time before the Sunderland boss is replaced.
After getting demolished by Peterborough and then bouncing back with a good result at Accrington Stanley, Ross’ Black Cats had the perfect chance to rack up some points and gain some ground on the teams above them.
A home clash against Rotherham followed by a trip to whipping boys Bolton should realistically be six points for a side chasing promotion with one of the biggest budgets and squads in the division, yet both games were quite simply dire from a Sunderland perspective.
The draw at the University of Bolton Stadium was particularly damning for the gaffer, as he and his team were booed off the pitch by their own support despite snatching a late goal, and some fans even joined in at one point when the home supporters chanted ‘sacked in the morning’.
Looking on Twitter after the fact, it’s clear that those frustrations haven’t wavered now that the dust has settled and the initial fume has cleared.
After fan site Roker Report asked fans if he deserves to stay, barely a few of the more than 65 replies suggested he has even the slightest hope of turning things around.
As one of those fans so aptly pointed out, the manager is struggling enough as it is, and fighting a war on two fronts – one to get the players firing and one to get the fans behind him – is simply not viable.
Once a club’s home ground becomes a “poisonous” place to play, there is really only so much a manager can do, and for all his tactical failings in recent times, the fact that he has now completely lost such a passionate fan base really says it all – it’s time to go.