[ad_pod ]Sunderland were beaten in the Checkatrade Trophy final via penalties on Sunday, and Jack Ross has a lot to answer for.Penalties are a horrible way to lose a match, and somebody has to be the one to miss.For the Black Cats on Sunday, it was captain Lee Cattermole who lost his cool at the spot, though Pompey’s Craig MacGillivray made a fantastic save to deny the shot it must be said.Aiden McGeady had given Ross’ side the lead in the first half though, and it should never have even got to extra time and penalties.Quite simply, Ross got it all wrong when his side were 1-0 up. Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

On the chalkboard

It’s been a common theme running through Sunderland’s season; score the first goal, and then proceed to have absolutely no idea how to protect and add to that lead.

Including Sunday’s result after 90 minutes, the Black Cats have now drawn eight games 1-1 just since the turn of the year, and it’s not hard to see why when Ross makes decisions like these.

In just a few minutes, the gaffer completely changed the game for his side, but not the way a manager is supposed to.

The departure of Will Grigg, who had run the channels tirelessly all afternoon, left the Black Cats with absolutely no presence up front, and sticking Lynden Gooch, who is 5 ft 8 by the way, up front on his own with the score at 1-0 was downright ludicrous.

Gooch had no chance of holding on to the ball up there by himself, and besides one marauding run up the left flank both he and substitute Max Power were completely ineffectual.

With those two decisions, Ross took away his side’s biggest threat, basically asking Pompey to pile the pressure on, pressure which is bound to carve out an opening eventually on the massive Wembley pitch.

This one is all on the boss.