Sunderland’s season is one volte-face short of a farce.
What other explanation could there be for Mike Dodds’ remarkably relaxed approach ahead of the upcoming international break?
Whereas other head coaches who have presided over four defeats on the spin, with precious little credit in the bank with fans, and no established playing or managerial reputation to draw upon, might view the fortnight-long pause with some trepidation and fear the axe, Dodds remains relatively upbeat.
READ MORE: Hibs may have opened Sunderland door for Nectar Triantis
He may not be pointing toward sunlit uplands, exactly, but he is at least looking to Luke O’Nien’s return from suspension upon the resumption of the campaign, and the prospect of an easing injury situation including a comeback for the talismanic Jack Clarke, in the belief that those factors might herald a change in Sunderland’s fortunes.
Dodds is a personable character and there can be no doubt he is doing all he can to reverse Sunderland’s decline.
But, given that there has been no sign of improvement since he took over and Sunderland are now closer, in terms of points, to the relegation zone than they are to the play-off places - a situation that he has contributed to but that is, it must be said, far from entirely of his own making - he does not sound like a man who feels his job is under serious threat.
Why so?
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that he took the reins last month effectively on a fixed-term 13-game contract, the plan being that he would merely mind the shop until the next ‘permanent’ head coach is appointed in the summer.
That he is a longtime ally and colleague of his boss, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, certainly helps, too.
But he is also insulated by the fact that Sunderland’s decision-makers know they must avoid at all costs another embarrassing U-turn in a season characterised by acts of self-sabotage that have transformed last summer’s positive mood into one of pessimism.
Two shockingly poor transfer windows, the unnecessary and unwarranted sacking of Tony Mowbray, the appointment of the unwanted and uninspiring Michael Beale in his place, the debacle that surrounded the FA Cup derby, the loss of credibility that accompanied the removal of Beale after only 12 games in charge - their catalogue of blunders goes on and on.
To sack an interim head coach, or be forced into an early, unscheduled, panicky ‘permanent’ appointment, would only add to the sense of chaos and highlight the crisis in confidence at the top of the organisation.
That said, a human shield only has value for as long as it protects those standing behind it.
If the defeats keep on coming and fans start to focus their anger on those in the boardroom, they will have to respond. And no matter where the real responsibility lies, the sticky brown stuff always slides downhill.
READ MORE: Sunderland: Mike Dodds on 'divisive' transfer model
The chink of light for Dodds and, by extension, those above him, is that Sunderland still have one more game to play before the international break.
One more chance to earn the victory that would prevent the inevitable fortnight-long mini-inquest during the break escalating into an orgy of angst. And also one more chance to avoid making unwanted history.
For Sunderland go into tomorrow’s home game against Queens Park Rangers on the back of a six-game losing streak, a run that began under Beale and that has continued under Dodds, which has equalled the club’s record for successive league defeats outside the top division.
Sunderland lost six games in a row in the second tier in 1993-94 under Terry Butcher and his successor Mick Buxton, and had previously racked up a similar number in 1959-60 under Alan Brown in what was then Division Two.
Sunderland have endured far worse sequences in the top flight as anyone who still wakes up in the midst of a nightmare involving the 2005-06 season will attest, but a run of seven Championship defeats would still represent a new low at that level.
Dodds’ four games in charge so far have comprised one bad home defeat against Swansea City, and three reverses against high quality opposition in the shape of leaders Leicester City, automatic promotion candidates Southampton, and play-off contenders Norwich City.
Recommended reading:
-
Alex Neil shares Sunderland exit message and why he joined Stoke
-
Northern Ireland international squad hands Sunderland injury boost
A home defeat against an improving but still relegation-haunted QPR would be of an entirely different order.
Even a draw, while it would end the losing streak and avoid setting a new record, would do little to improve the mood.
Only a win will provide even a measure of relief going into the break.
Read the rules here