---
title: "Sunderland: Fans hit out at Tom Flanagan"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-fans-hit-out-at-tom-flanagan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Sunderland News"
published: "2021-03-14T15:40:32Z"
modified: "2021-03-14T15:40:32Z"
---

# Sunderland: Fans hit out at Tom Flanagan

**Plenty of Sunderland supporters have been reacting to Tom Flanagan’s first half display against Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy Final on social media.**

The 29-year-old was handed his [21st](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tom-flanagan/leistungsdaten/spieler/125786) appearance in all competitions this season, with Lee Johnson making [four changes](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-vs-tranmere-live-early-20145532) from the 2-0 win over Portsmouth last time out.

Flanagan, who started just [twice](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tom-flanagan/leistungsdaten/spieler/125786) in the EFL Trophy during Sunderland’s road to Wembley, didn’t exactly make a positive impression amongst several Sunderland fans.

He turned out in a back four, partnering Luke O’Nien at centre-back, with Max Power at right-back and Callum McFazdean at left-back.

The backline came under some early pressure from Tranmere, with Grant Leadbitter almost opening the scoring at the wrong end, only for goalkeeper Lee Burge to [bail the midfielder out](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-vs-tranmere-live-early-20145532).

Here is what these Black Cats supporters had to say about the 29-year-old’s first half display against Keith Hill’s side, with one describing him as ‘half-fit’ given his [recent injury concerns](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tom-flanagan-ross-stewart-back-19893054).

### Sunderland fans react to Flanagan’s first half performance

**“Sorry but Flanagan is a liability“**

[Credit: @Safcftm2016](https://twitter.com/Safcftm2016/status/1371117569172725768)

**“Tom Flanagan makes me so nervous“**

[Credit: @Tom\_D23](https://twitter.com/Tom_D23/status/1371117368609538055)

**“Tom Flanagan with the ball at his feet isn’t good for my heart rate“**

[Credit: @SpeakSAFC](https://twitter.com/SpeakSAFC/status/1371118587000328192)

**“You can tell Flanagan is back, the ball is like a hot potato when it’s at his feet or with McFadzean. Very noticeable the difference when O’Nien or Power are playing out from the back“**

[Credit: @Kevsol](https://twitter.com/Kevsol/status/1371118608248680453)

**“Started poorly. The Flanagan pass out between the lines is one of the scariest things in football“**

[Credit: @carlrutherford](https://twitter.com/carlrutherford/status/1371119103176495105)

**“Makes a big difference when you replace Sanderson, who has the potential to be a PL player, with a half-fit Flanagan“**

[Credit: @gyrwum](https://twitter.com/gyrwum/status/1371121050323402754)