Michael Beale still 'on the back foot' at Sunderland, says former striker

The unpopularity of Michael Beale's appointment at Sunderland means he will need a lot of time to convince fans he deserves the job, says Don Goodman.

Michael Beale was ‘on the back foot’ straight away at Sunderland, says Don Goodman, who has credited the former Rangers boss for at least steadying the ship since.

Beale was appointed Sunderland head coach last month following the sacking of Tony Mowbray, and the anger from fans was so noisy that he had to take the unusual step of addressing it during his unveiling to the press.

Losing his first game in an incredibly poor fashion only made things worse, but he has won two and drawn one of his Championship games since then.

Goodman, who is a Sky Sports EFL expert, played for Sunderland during his playing career so he knows more than most pundits about dealing with the expectations of the club’s supporters, but he is far from convinced that Beale was the right man for the job.

“It's been difficult for Michael Beale due to the way he left Queens Park Rangers and it did not go well for him at Rangers,” Goodman told Genting Casinos.

“So he's straight onto the back foot joining a massive club that liked the previous manager and thought he did not deserve to be sacked.

“He then lost his first home game, against an excellent Coventry team who will be very close to the play-offs.

“Going to Hull and winning cut him some slack. Now they're unbeaten in three Championship games, though it was disappointing to draw at Rotherham.

“Despite Rotherham making it hard for teams, you would have thought Sunderland would have had enough to beat them.

“He's got seven points from nine since though and has recovered from what was a terrible start."

Beale’s start has certainly been a mixed bag, with that unbeaten Championship run sandwiched between two dreadful home defeats to Coventry and Newcastle.

Next up is a test away to Ipswich Town, and it’s fair to say that the jury is very much still out of Beale among Sunderland supporters – and likely still will be for some time yet. 

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