We’ve seen this earlier than.
It’s a well-known film, with the identical script, a distinct director and totally different material, but the identical core theme — a Sunderland participant changing into a lightning rod for the workforce’s failure to carry out on any given day.
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For years, the starring function was performed by Luke O’Nien, ludicriously branded a “legal responsibility” (a phrase I’d gladly see forged out of all Sunderland-related discourse — there are not any liabilities on this workforce) and seen in some circles as a weak hyperlink and somebody who couldn’t lure a soccer, not to mention play a key function in our eventual rise to the Premier League.
It was unfaithful then; it’s nonetheless unfaithful now, and though we’d’ve hoped that singling out sure gamers for occasionally disproportionate criticism is a behavior we’d attempt to break, it’s nonetheless disheartening that as Sunderland’s type has hit choppier waters, a wholehearted, dedicated and high-quality footballer in Trai Hume has discovered himself below the microscope.
Let’s nail one thing down: pound for pound, Hume is without doubt one of the greatest, handiest and profitable signings made by Sunderland throughout Kristjaan Speakman’s time on the membership.
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When he arrived from Linfield in 2022, he had the texture of a low-risk, “one for the longer term”-type signing however throughout 4 years in purple and white, his ferocious will to win and refusal to take a backwards step have been a key element of Sunderland’s rise from League One to the Premier League.
He’s additionally much more technically completed than we regularly spotlight and his low-key angle is an ideal match for the occasions: no nonsense and no razzle-dazzle — only a rugged method to the sport that Régis Le Bris and his teammates clearly respect.
Why, due to this fact, has Hume all of the sudden grow to be such a polarising determine amongst pockets of the fanbase?
Sure, latest outcomes have been common and our efficiency ranges aren’t presently hitting the heights that they did earlier within the marketing campaign, however as Le Bris is usually at pains to level out, collectivism is the secret on the Stadium of Mild and it was good to listen to him provide some staunch backing for Hume earlier this week.
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OK, the absence of Bertrand Traoré and the spectre of Lutsharel Geertruida (an excellent and very versatile participant in his personal proper) could also be elements right here, however the concept the Northern Eire worldwide has all of the sudden grow to be a weak hyperlink simply doesn’t stack up.
Maybe Le Bris is asking Hume — a hard-tackling proper again by commerce — to push his versatility a shade too far at occasions, however that’s not on Hume himself and after a difficult afternoon towards West Ham, has he not dealt with himself properly as captain in the course of the subsequent clashes with Burnley, Arsenal and Liverpool on Wednesday night time?
Let’s be frank: Granit Xhaka’s absence has compelled the pinnacle coach to adapt and the outcomes have been blended, however hanging a participant out to dry as a result of he’s maybe not dwelling as much as your expectations in a task he’s nonetheless studying is hardly sound reasoning.
Collectively, Sunderland weren’t anyplace close to their greatest towards Liverpool.
On reflection, it appeared as if we confirmed the guests an excessive amount of respect, and there was a timidity to our play that I discovered barely puzzling at occasions, with secure passes being chosen too usually for my liking and Alisson not likely being troubled for almost all of the sport.
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This isn’t fully attributable to Hume, nevertheless, and if we’re going to analyse the place issues aren’t fairly clicking for Sunderland, it’s grossly unfair to activate a participant who’s demonstrated all through the season that he does have Premier League high quality and for whom the step up from the Championship has not confirmed inconceivable to make.
He’s doing what’s being requested of him; he’s doing it to the most effective of his skill and if Le Bris opts to convey Geertruida into the fold for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Oxford or subsequent Sunday’s league assembly with Fulham, I’m positive Hume, as a double promotion winner and one in every of our longest-serving gamers, will reply as professionally as potential.
On a ultimate notice, it needs to be highlighted that professional and constructive criticism of gamers’ performances is okay.
That’s a part of the deal, however I actually do want we’d take a second earlier than tossing phrases akin to ‘legal responsibility” round so flippantly and laying into gamers with pointless venom. It provides nothing the dialogue and doubtlessly does extra hurt than good — not least given the scrutiny these lads are already below as they compete in such a tricky and demanding league.