Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien has revealed the reaction of one man to a significant event in the QPR draw.
The Black Cats were held to a 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers on their travels, which saw Sunderland unable to build on three successive victories.
Sunderland’s ever-so slightly rejigged side saw Chris Rigg absent from the side, and that without a doubt altered the tempo of Regis Le Bris’ side, particularly how effective they were in the centre-of-the-park.
The other key moment that left Sunderland short in midfield was of course the loss of Jobe Bellingham in the first half, who was handed his marching orders on the 58th minute against QPR, and it could be argued that the Black Cats may have come away from the game with more if the English man was utilised for the full 90 minutes.
Bellingham’s sending off was ultimately decisive in the game, and it certainly left the Black Cats man feeling sorry for the rest of his side.
Luke O’Nien reveals what Jobe Bellingham said after Sunderland red card
Bellingham’s efforts have been emphatic up until this moment of the 2024/25 Championship season, with him popping up with crucial goals, whilst making a significant difference on the defensive front.
It was clear that this was sorely missed in the twilight of the game against Queens Park Rangers, and this was noticed by the rest of the Sunderland side, although they did not look sourly on the decisive moment.
Per Sunderland Echo, Luke O’Nien has reflected on the moment and Bellingham’s immediate reaction, to which he said: “Jobe’s been superb and sensational for us this season and he doesn’t even need to apologise for the group.
“He puts in tackles, and that’s just part of playing the game at the high intensity he does is his quality, both in and out of possessions. He’s been one of the best players in the league this season, and we’ll miss him next week, but he’s still a vital part of the group, and we’ll look forward to having him back.
“Jobe didn’t need to give us a message after the game. You could see how disappointed he was so the boys will just get around him. We know what he’s delivered to the scene this season. He just needs to go rest up and get ready for the game when he’s back. He’s been one of the best players in the league this season.
“What he does both on and off the pitch is magnificent and when you play at the intensity he does week in, week out, sometimes you’re going to slightly overstep the line. If he did today and it was a red card, but he doesn’t need to say anything. The boys love him and we’ll miss him next week.”
Jobe Bellingham will be huge miss for Regis Le Bris
As a result of his red card against Queens Park Rangers, Bellingham is set to miss three matches with a ban, and there is no doubt that this will have a knock-on effect on the current Sunderland side.
The previous absences of the likes of Dan Ballard and Anthony Patterson were previously feared; however, they were filled successfully by Chris Meham and Simon Moore, respectively, but the loss of Bellingham is on another level.
Thankfully, Sunderland have the option of Alan Browne from off-the-bench in place of Bellingham, who is usually missing from the midfield three, but even though he has bags of experience and coolness in the centre-of-the-park, he won’t be able to replicate Bellingham’s talents, and it will without a doubt be a massive loss for the side.
