Sunderland needed a penalty to earn a point at Millwall, as their goal-scoring woes persisted.
Sunderland’s inability to convert dominance into goals remains a problem, according to Tony Mowbray, after the Black Cats’ 1-1 draw at Millwall. Mowbray’s men had more of the ball and more shots on goal than their opponents at The Den, but it took a Jack Clarke penalty just over ten minutes from time to salvage a point after Kevin Nisbet put the Lion ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Sunderland lacked a cutting edge for much of the game, despite the introduction of on-loan Chelsea striker Mason Burstow, who lasted only 55 minutes before Mowbray brought on Bradley Dack to play in an advanced role as part of a triple substitution. The draw kept the Black Cats from suffering their third defeat in a week, following defeats at Plymouth last weekend and at home against Huddersfield Town in midweek.
“I thought we pretty much dominated the game apart from the last ten minutes when we’d scored,” Mowbray said. “You’d think we’d be laying siege to much of their goal at that point, but it was the other way around.”
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“We can control a game, but we don’t appear to be capable of scoring a goal.” They had isolated breakaways, and I thought we dominated for long stretches without looking like we were going to score.
“On Wednesday [against Huddersfield], we had about 74% possession and 27 shots, and we scored one goal from a set play.” It was the same in Plymouth. We don’t appear to be scoring – I believe this is because we have inexperienced strikers who aren’t quite ready to play for our team at the moment, but they have to play, and we are playing them.
“We’re trying to develop them and bring them up to speed so they can play striker in the Championship.” We had no cutting edge to control it. [Dan] Ballard could have scored in the second half, and Clarke clearly wins us a penalty. There aren’t enough shots, and there isn’t enough finished product.”
Sunderland’s model is based on bringing in young players with potential and developing them, which Mowbray has done with some success since taking over as manager early last season. However, developing players takes time, which Mowbray believes must be balanced with achieving results in the short term.
“The club wants to develop young players and give them opportunities,” Mowbray said. I give them a chance, that’s what I do.
“In the game, my gut tells me that we need to change if I want to win.” That’s correct; I’m attempting to develop young players in order to instill value in them and provide them with successful careers. Sometimes they aren’t quite ready, but that’s fine; they’ll get game time and get on the field to experience the Championship. I agreed to it and signed up for it. Here I am, picking them and playing them.
“I’m fine with it, but you’re at 55 minutes… and I want to win.” We’re still not getting shots, so I go with players who I believe can help me turn things around. We want to be bold as a club, and the young players need to be on the field to prove they can do it, so that’s what we’re doing.”
