Dan Neil's Sunderland teammates will rally around the young midfielder following his red card against Sheffield United, according to Lynden Gooch. Academy product Neil collected the first red card of his career when he was sent off for a professional foul on the half-hour against the Blades at Bramall Lane having held back James McAtee after giving the ball away to the on-loan Manchester City man.
That left the Black Cats needing to play for an hour shorthanded, and things went from bad to worse when Sheffield United took the lead almost immediately after the 20-year-old's exit. The Blades added a second goal at the start of the second half before Gooch halved the deficit, but Sunderland could not force an equaliser and instead saw their unbeaten start to the Championship campaign come to an end.
Sunderland had started well and the red card was the turning point, and to compound Neil's misery he will now sit out this weekend's trip to Stoke City due to suspension. "I thought we were controlling the game and looked more threatening," said Gooch of the opening half-hour against Sheffield.
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"Stuff like that [the red card] happens and we have to get around him as it's something that will be tough for him, especially not being able to play [through suspension]. I think he's had an outstanding start to the season and it's just one of those things, he'll learn from it and we just have to get around him and help him.
"At half-time I tried to tell him to keep his head up. For the 30 minutes before he was sent off I thought he was controlling [midfield] and thought he'd done really well.
"Obviously he'll be disappointed as it means so much for him to play for the club as well. We just need to get around him and help him."
Sunderland have made a solid start to life back in the Championship with five points from their first four games, and they will be looking to add to that on Saturday when they head to Stoke, who drew 2-2 at home to Middlesbrough last night. Boss Alex Neil's options are beginnning to narrow, however, with defender Dan Ballard ruled out for the forseeable future with a fractured foot, key midfielder Corry Evans also sidelined, Carl Winchester out with a back injury, Danny Batth going off last night as a precaution with a slight groin issue, and now Dan Neil's one-match suspension.
READ MORE:
- Alex Neil hails 'brilliant' Sunderland players despite defeat at Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland player ratings as Patterson stands out after Neil's costly red card
- Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland report as ten-man Black Cats' unbeaten start comes to an end
- Alex Neil warns Sunderland they will face a 'next level' team when they visit Sheffield United
- Alex Neil on how the 'almighty dollar' always speaks loudest in the transfer market
