School's almost out for Sunderland and Mike Dodds
02/05/2024 07:00
"After all the storms we've ridden this season, especially since Tony Mowbray's departure, who would've thought that the worst was still to come when Dodds took over?"
So, we've had Tony Mowbray's sacking, the red carpet being rolled out for the Mags, the 'Michael Beale deal', Kristjaan Speakman and strikers, and the mid-season appointment of an interim head coach in Mike Dodds.
In a club statement released on 19 February, Speakman said:
Our focus is now on the players and supporting Mike Dodds in the remaining games to ensure we achieve the highest possible league finish.
After re-reading this, it's a deceptively vague statement from Speakman, and not what I originally envisaged- at least a top-half finish.
Indeed, targeting the 'highest possible league finish' wasn't quite David Brent speak, but it now reads like a Teflon statement that won't attach itself to Speakman's CV.
As we head towards the final game of the season, we're in dire need of a performance on the pitch; something to give us a little bit of hope.
In the last ten games, we've collected a pitiful nine points – less than a point a game, compared to Mowbray's' 1.4 points-per-game total, and what's more worrying is our home form, as in the last six games we've picked up just two points.
To put it in context, Rotherham will finish with one of the worst totals in the history of the Championship. They've beaten the lowest Championship points total this season, yet they've collected 250% more points than Sunderland during the same time period.
If you haven't coached or managed a team, it might be hard to get your head around how the absolute catastrophe of Dodds' tenure has happened.
My theory is that Dodds is akin to some sort of supply teacher.
He's been given a role for three months, but we know he's not right for the job and will return to his previous position when we find someone better.
However, the idea of Dodds retaining any sort of role at Sunderland is now dubious and it feels like a lot of things have gone wrong for him.
The kids haven't bought into this supply teacher's methods, nor his cap and his tracksuit, and it feels like the club's senior management have left him to take the fall.
I've no doubt that coming in and turning our fortunes around on a temporary contract is difficult, but moving internally is almost impossible. After all, it's not like Jack Clarke isn't playing- he's just not playing well. Aji Alese is back to shore things up and Patrick Roberts is fit but looks like he's wearing someone else's boots.
Some managers can step into the breach on a temporary basis.
Gary Rowett has done so in Mowbray's absence, but Mowbray had already stopped the 'Rooney rot' at Birmingham City.
Most successful interim head coaches have been at big clubs. Roberto Di Matteo, Guus Hiddink and Rafa Benitez all worked for Chelsea and did well, but weren't appointed full time.
Elsewhere, Garry Monk did a decent job at Swansea until he didn't, and then there's Craig Shakespeare, Scott Parker, Darren Moore, Stewart Houston, Chris Coleman, Tim Sherwood, Joe Kinnear, and obviously I'm saving one great to the end: Alan Shearer, with eight games, one win, two draws, five defeats, and a relegation.
So, back to Dodds.
Do the Lads respect him and are they giving their all for him?
Has he got control of their behaviour? Has he got any team management skills or tactical nuance, or did he get that focused support from Speakman? Transitioning from a coaching position into a leadership role is massive, as communication skills, flexibility and adaptability, along with strategic thinking are a must. I'm not sure how much of this is evident with Dodds.
It would be good to finish the season with a win, but I'd settle for a performance – attacking, and entertaining in a game that means a lot to Sheffield Wednesday, but also to us from a pride perspective.
Any flip flops and Speedos shouldn't be visible on the field. Let some of the U21s have a go, and let's show some grit and determination.
