Five games to save his job? Michael Beale facing critical period at Sunderland

There is a date that may well prove vital in deciding the Sunderland future of Michael Beale, and it is quickly approaching.

Last season, season card renewals went on sale on March 18, with supporters having until mid-April to make a decision.

It’s fair to say that 12 months ago that decision was an easy one. Sunderland were fighting tooth and nail for a play-off position whilst playing some exceptional football. Belief was high, a feeling of connection between club and supporters was stronger than ever, and genuine hope and optimism was in the air.

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This time around, things really couldn’t be more different. The play-offs chase isn’t over, but optimism is on the floor and the only fighting Sunderland are doing right now is with their own supporters.

So, what does all this mean for Michael Beale’s Sunderland future?

Current Sunderland stance on Michael Beale

The club are very much aware of supporter feeling at the moment, even if it sometimes feels like they are not. I mean, how could they not be?

However, whether we can believe it or not, or whether we want it or not, Sunderland still have genuine belief that the Beale appointment will work out.

They think they have appointed a genuinely elite coach and in time everyone, including the supporters, will see and feel the benefits.

So, they are willing to support him and back him in the short-term, and that is mainly borne of a belief that a pre-season with Beale in place will be a transformative one. You know, a positively transformative one rather than the kind of transformation we have seen so far.

However, that patience is only applicable as long as Beale’s position is tenable, and if he can’t inspire some wins between now and a potential revolt by season card holders, it will be tough for anyone to keep backing Beale.

Five tough games

That means there are essentially five games for Beale to find some kind of form that will restore belief to the club and supporters. He needs to buy his backers some time with results.

He staged a mini recovery either side of the transfer deadline with two wins and a draw from three games, but any good will that gained him has already evaporated after a disastrous week.

It is easy to see Sunderland struggle in the next four games at least too. Swansea City on Saturday already looks like a must-win for Beale, and they have struggled of late. They did, though, go to Hull a week ago and win.

Even if Beale can win that one, three really tough games then follow against seventh-placed Norwich (A), table-topping Leicester (H) and third placed Southampton (A).

Losing all three, and few would be brave enough to back Sunderland to avoid that based on what we’ve seen lately, would see a run of at least five defeats in six games and any hopes of the play-offs gone.

A home game against Beale’s former club QPR then follows, but would his position even be tenable by then?

Fans may prove critical

Should that scenario come to play, the fans could be key in any decision to sack Beale.

If the fans were still with him, the club would almost certainly decide they can just limp on with Beale to pre-season, which they believe is a key point.

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If the fans remain fervently against him, though, handing the reigns back to Mike Dodds and preparing for a new appointment in the summer when it is always easier to get a new coach would be a very viable option.

Obviously there is a lot to happen between now and then. Beale may surprise everyone and go on a good run until the March international break (after the QPR game). You never know.

What is clear, though, is that Sunderland are running out of time in terms of pursuing the path they want to, and Beale is making it harder for them every week with his perpetual failure to impress, even on the rare occasions he wins.

Current Sunderland stance on Michael Beale

Five tough games

Fans may prove critical

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