Sunderland headed to the north west looking to pick up another three points in League One and further their automatic promotion ambitions.
They crumbled at Bolton though and from being 2-0 down at half time eventually found themselves on the end of a 6-0 hiding.
Johnson’s side now sit third in the table, one point behind Wigan Athletic in second, who have played four fewer games, and now with a goal difference which is nine fewer than the Latics and a whopping 16 fewer than league leaders Rotherham, who are two points better off than Sunderland.
Former Sunderland man Elliott insists he can see the benefit of the Black Cats having young players, but feels there is a weak backbone to the side and too many stars are just happy to be at the club, no matter the league.
He wrote on Twitter: “Signing young players with potential could benefit Sunderland in long run.
“However there is a weak backbone here and these just seem happy to be Sunderland players no matter what league the club is in. Not acceptable. Abysmal.
“Sign players who actually want to and know how to go up”, Elliott said.
And Elliott added: “6-0 in the third tier!!!! Would not be acceptable in the top league!!!!”
Sunderland’s next League One assignment will be at home against strugglers Doncaster Rovers, where they will look to bounce back.
