Sunderland coach says he's been dealt a 'massively different hand' this time around

Mike Dodds says he has been handed a ‘massively different hand’ this time as interim Sunderland head coach, although he doesn’t want to make excuses for poor results.

In fairness, the previous two games have been especially tough for Dodds with Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts both injured and Dan Ballard suspended.

Ballard is back now, but Clarke and Roberts are still some weeks away from a return.

While Dodds says he doesn’t want that to sound like an ‘excuse,’ he does make the point that it is certainly making things a lot more difficult for him this time around.

Speaking to William Hill at the North East Football Writers’ Awards, Dodds said: “This is the second time I’ve had to step in [this season] and this time around the cards that I’ve been dealt are massively different.

“I don’t want anyone to bring out the violins and I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for us [but] sooner we get important players back, the sooner what we’re doing on the pitch will be a reflection of the work we’re putting in on the training ground.

“At the moment the injuries mean we don’t have the luxury of having all the quality players at the football club at our disposal.

“It is not an excuse, but I’m sure results will turn around once we get those bodies back.”