Whilst, obviously, it would have been nice to have won the game this afternoon, I won’t pretend that losing has particularly concerned me.
The performance, however, was poor and it’s clear that this squad is very stretched.
Billy Jones, Marc Wilson and Callum McManaman in particular were very poor, and both goals came as a result of some terrible defending and some even worse goalkeeping from Jason Steele.
The second half wasn’t anywhere near as bad but our only real chance came from a corner - a Tyias Browning header that was well saved by Darren Randolph.
We were unbalanced, slow and predictable - much like we have been in most games this season.
Ethan Robson was the pick of the bunch in midfield and kept play ticking along nicely.
Overall it was a bad performance and result, but focus must remain on keeping ourselves in the league - and next week’s away game with Cardiff is a massive game.
Player Ratings
Jason Steele, 2/10: Get’s a couple of marks for the save he made from Gestede in the second half, but he was genuinely abysmal for both goals.
Bryan Oviedo, 4/10: Crossing and passing in the final third was atrocious. He doesn’t look suited at wing back, strangely.
John O’Shea, 4/10: Gestede had his life.
Tyias Browning, 6/10: Offered us a threat on set pieces and came closest to scoring.
Billy Jones, 2/10: Just terrible.
Donald Love, 4/10: Couldn’t cross a road.
Ethan Robson, 7/10: Sunderland’s best player by a country mile. The only one who looked comfortable in possession.
Marc Wilson, 2/10: Far too slow to play midfield. Grant Leadbitter ran rings around him.
George Honeyman, 5/10: Wanted the ball and tried to offer something in the final third but the lack of support in midfield didn’t help him.
Callum McManaman, 2/10: What does he do? Another game he hasn’t completed. Don’t think Coleman rates him too highly.
Josh Maja, 5/10: Marked up slightly as the service to him was poor, but his lack of movement off the ball is slightly concerning.
(SUB) Joel Asoro, 5/10: Like Maja, suffered from a lack of service. His pace is useful though and I think that he probably should have started.
(SUB) James Vaughan, 5/10: Wasn’t really on long enough, and the service was non-existent.
(SUB) Elliot Embleton, 5/10: Wasn’t on long enough to impact the game.