Sunderland supporters were on the verge of falling asleep after watching their side draw 0-0 at home to Preston North End. Despite managing 16 shots and having 63% possession, the Black Cats could not break down a stern defence that appeared happy to take a point.
Tony Mowbray’s side dominated throughout but lacked that killer touch without first-choice strikers Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms. The Scotsman ruptured his thigh moments before the clash against Middlesbrough on September 5 and may be out for another month.
Preston arrived at the Stadium of Light with the intention to frustrate Sunderland - and it worked. Post-match social media reaction shows Sunderland fans comparing their game plan to Wycombe Wanderers, who famously deployed anti-football tactics last season.
READ MORE: Sunderland 0-0 Preston North End: Highlights and reaction as Black Cats held at home
Opinion was mixed among Black Cats supporters after the game. Some decided to highlight the improvements made in recent times and how Sunderland may have lost that game in years gone by.
A point apiece leaves the Wearsiders sitting seventh in the Championship - two points outside the coveted play-off places.
@AzlynnPb2: Mixed feelings about this. Not entirely happy that we only got a point but glad the defence held. This just proves that we need to get our strikers healthy and grab another one (or two) this January
@JaiOliver5: Preston = the Championship Wycombe
@LJMackem2021: Preston are so boring
@samfeath19: Was to be expected against the team who park the bus from the first second. On to the next one!
@Jamesy_1995: It is what it is. Two years ago we would have got bullied and lost. The most negative team we’ve played since Wycombe though
@BJ_Irvine: Preston wouldn’t look out of place in L1, a horrendous football team. We take the point and move on, plenty positives to take from that performance.
@andyatch: Battered them. Must be horrendous to watch them every week
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