Sbragia plummets back to earth

IF Ricky Sbragia could claim a fairytale start to his managerial career at Sunderland, the last two weeks have provided the most painful of reality checks.

Home games against Tottenham and Wigan were supposed to provide the Wearsiders with a buffer against the dead men at the foot of the Premier League: instead, Robbie Keane turned three points into one in the final seconds last week and then Wigan stormed the Stadium of Light with embarrassing ease on Saturday.

With Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth all edging closer to Sbragia’s team over the weekend, they must now confront difficult away trips — to Manchester City and West Ham — far too close to the mire for comfort.

Now, captain Dean Whitehead has urged his side not to succumb to panic.

“I don’t think it was must-win for us — there are a lot of teams in worse positions than us,” he said.

“But we have to take this on the chin and move on now. It was one of those days and we have to put it behind us and make sure we are focused on the next game at Manchester City.”

Sbragia admitted after the game that the performance was probably the worst since he took over from Roy Keane, and few among a crowd would have disagreed.

The home side were rocked within 12 minutes of the kick-off when January signing Ben Watson opened his Wigan account with a well-placed volley after the home defence inexplicably backed off to allow him time and space.

The Black Cats finally got themselves back into the game four minutes before the break when, after Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones had helped on goalkeeper Marton Fulop’s clearance, midfielder Grant Leadbitter fired past Chris Kirkland, who had earlier made a fine double save from Andy Reid and Steed Malbranque.

However, just as they prepared to launch their assault, they capitulated once again in the most calamitous fashion.

Team-mates Phil Bardsley and Jones collided inside the Wigan penalty area leaving the striker down injured, and when Paul Scharner flicked on the resulting clearance, another newcomer, Charles N’Zogbia, sensed an opportunity.

The 22-year-old Frenchman, who once scored in a famous 4-1 derby victory for former club Newcastle on Wearside, ran from his own half before sliding a shot past Fulop to win the game.

Steve Bruce was understandably delighted with the efforts of his players as they secured a first win in nine attempts.

“We have got a huge game against Hull next week — if we can win that one, then we have got as good chance as anyone else of getting into the top 10, and who knows?” he pondered.

“I have said it before, Bolton and Blackburn have got into Europe — nobody fancied them. Why shouldn’t we do it?”

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Fulop 5, Bardsley 5, Ben-Haim 4 (Healy 77, 5), Collins 5, McCartney 4, Malbranque 6 (Edwards 63, 5), Whitehead 6, Leadbitter 7, Reid 5 (Murphy 60, 5), Jones 4, Cisse 5.

Subs Not Used: Gordon, Yorke, Davenport, McShane.

WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland 8, Melchiot 6, Bramble 8, Boyce 7, Figueroa 7, Scharner 6, Valencia 6, Watson 7, Brown 7, N’Zogbia 7, Mido 6 (Zaki 84, 4).

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Edman, Kapo, Koumas, Rodallega, De Ridder.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 7: Neither manager had cause for complaint with the performances of the officials.

MATCH RATING: ** Never likely to be a classic, although N’Zogbia’s goal provided a dash of class.