Phillips: Sunderland suffered from major development against Charlton
Kevin Phillips has claimed the sacking of Nigel Adkins was a major factor in Sunderland losing to Charlton Athletic yesterday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Stadium of Light legend, who was at the game, said the Black Cats were on the receiving end of “a bounce” from the visitors but still should have punished them.
Sunderland dropped to fourth in League One after a 1-0 defeat to Charlton on Saturday.
Johnie Jackson led the visitors to victory just 48 hours after the Addicks confirmed the sacking of Adkins.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo after the loss, Lee Johnson insisted his side did not deserve to lose.
When asked by Football Insider if Adkins’ sacking was a major factor in the defeat, Phillips said: “I think you could have looked at it in two ways.
“It was not ideal for Sunderland to face Charlton straight after that because there is always a bounce.
“Look at Nottingham Forest, for example. Chris Hughton is a fantastic manager, who’s proven in the Championship. He couldn’t get a performance out of Forest for love nor money and now, under Steve Cooper, they can’t stop winning.
“Let’s be honest, it was not ideal for Sunderland. I’m sure Johnie Jackson changed a couple of things. There is always a response when a manager leaves and Sunderland were on the receiving end of it.
“But, going into the game they would have been like, ‘Who cares.’ From Lee Johnson and the players’ point of view they know they’re better than them man for man. They would not have been worried about it.
“I expected them to punish them. Charlton are way they are because they have not been playing well.”
In other news, Phillips has revealed why he is a ‘big fan’ of ‘excellent’ Sunderland signing.