Sunderland may have secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Cardiff City, but the result was overshadowed by the backlash against defender Leo Hjelde. Despite the team’s success, fans were left furious with Hjelde’s performance, with many calling for him to be axed from the starting lineup immediately.
The Black Cats managed to take all three points in a crucial Championship clash, but Hjelde’s display at the back left much to be desired. From the start, the Norwegian defender looked out of sorts, struggling with Cardiff’s attacking pressure and making several costly errors that could have undone Sunderland’s hard work.
His lack of composure on the ball and poor positioning were particularly concerning, as Cardiff exploited his side on multiple occasions. Hjelde’s most glaring mistake came in the first half when he failed to clear a routine ball, leading to a Cardiff attack that forced a crucial save from the Sunderland goalkeeper.
Even after Sunderland took the lead, Hjelde’s performance continued to deteriorate. He was beaten too easily in one-on-one situations and looked vulnerable whenever Cardiff pressed high up the pitch. Fans grew increasingly frustrated as his misplaced passes and nervous defending put the team under unnecessary pressure.
Fans Have Finally Given Up
Sunderland supporters took to social media immediately after the match, venting their frustration and calling for Hjelde to be dropped. Many fans, who had previously defended him, admitted that they had finally lost patience with his performances.
One fan tweeted: “Hjelde has had too many chances now. He’s simply not good enough—constantly a weak link in defence. He has to be dropped!”
Another wrote: “We won, but Hjelde made it way harder than it needed to be. If Cardiff had been more clinical, we could’ve thrown that game away. Time for a change at the back!”
Some supporters even suggested that Sunderland should look for a replacement in the summer transfer window, believing Hjelde isn’t cut out for the demands of Championship football.
Manager’s Dilemma: Stick or Twist?
With growing fan pressure, Sunderland’s manager now faces a difficult decision—whether to persist with Hjelde and allow him to regain confidence or remove him from the starting lineup in favor of a more reliable defensive option.
Hjelde has shown promise in certain games, but his inconsistency has been a major concern. If he continues to struggle, his place in the team could come under serious threat, especially with Sunderland aiming to stay competitive in the league.
The manager may choose to back Hjelde publicly, but behind the scenes, there could be discussions about a potential defensive reshuffle.
What’s Next for Hjelde and Sunderland?
With crucial games ahead, Sunderland cannot afford defensive lapses that put their results at risk. If Hjelde wants to keep his place in the squad, he must respond with a significantly improved performance in the next match. Otherwise, he could find himself dropped to the bench, with another defender given the opportunity to step up.
For now, Sunderland fans are celebrating the three points—but for Hjelde, the pressure is mounting, and his future in the starting XI is looking increasingly uncertain.
Leave a Reply