Power Rankings: Sunderland’s goal-scoring midfield hero reaches first place in a mixed fortnight

Edition four of the Roker Report Power Rankings tackles the lads’ infuriating draw with Bolton, the massive cup upset at Bramall Lane and our triumph over Mk Dons.

As always, this poll is solely based on these three games and does not take into account form over the entire season. For every match a Sunderland player is given a score out of 50 based on five or more out of ten player ratings submitted for that game.

As always, the player rating score uses both the ever controversial on-the-whistle Roker Report player ratings, as well as individual ratings from our contributors.

This fortnight’s contributors were: @maxmason78, @EddieSAFCx, @JoeAStar, @aidanscott16 , @1JonathanWalker and @flaptingss.

Also full disclaimer, I used James Hunter and Phil Smith’s ratings to make up the scores from the League Cup win in Sheffield.

Check out who finished where below.

Photo by Steven Hadlow/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Power Rankings

1: Max Power (95 pts) (18) - Two wonder strikes in two outstanding, timely Sunderland victories meant that Power was the only choice to top our charts.

2: Luke O’Nien (93 pts) (8) - Two brilliant performances as an out and out attacker overshadowed O’Nien’s struggles at Bolton to earn him second place.

3: Chris Maguire (85 pts) (9) - Only Joel Lynch bettered Maguire’s score in the League cup victory against Sheffield United; that alongside two solid league outings sees the King finish in the top three.

4: Charlie Wyke (85 pts) (15) - Wyke’s cameo as a game-changing target man at Bolton earned him one of the best scores on a bitterly disappointing day. Reasonable scores in the following week raise the burly striker to fourth.

5: Joel Lynch (81 pts) (21) - Lynch’s average score for his first two games on Wearside is over 8/10. A remarkable start for a defender who arrived to little fanfare - long may it continue.

6: Laurens De Bock (71 pts) (22) - Like his left-sided defensive partner, De Bock has been revelation since entering the starting line-up. Two impressive showings sees him slot just in-behind our other new, in-form defender.

7: Dylan McGeouch (63 pts) (13) - Scores highly after re-forming an impressive partnership with Power, McGeouch is doing the dirty work that allows Power to roam forward and unleash screamers to such devastating effect.

Photo by Steven Hadlow/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

8: Conor McLaughlin (62pts) (14) - McLaughlin still looks short of confidence, but improved showings since moving to his proper position see him regain a top ten spot here.

9: Jordan Willis (59 pts) (5) - Drops out the top five after being outshone by his new defensive partner; Willis’ score also suffers as Ross gave him the night off in Sheffield.

10: Tom Flanagan (54 pts) (16) - Sneaks into the top ten after helping Sunderland achieve a clean sheet in the league cup, Flanagan also played in our Bolton nightmare.

11: Lynden Gooch (50 pts) (2) - Like Willis, Gooch drops partly due to being outperformed over the fortnight and partially because of being given a well-earned rest in the cup game.

12: Denver Hume (50 pts) (12) - The youngster is still struggling to find his feet this season, an improved cameo against MK Dons contributed to his respectable finish in this fortnight’s ranks.

13: Jon McLaughlin (47 pts) (6) - His placement reflects his ongoing struggles to recapture last season’s excellent form. Last year’s player of the season contender seems to be costing Sunderland a goal per game.

14: Will Grigg (45 pts) (10) - Two forgettable substitute appearances leave Grigg lingering outside the top ten this fortnight.

15: Lee Burge (38 pts) (19) - Burge averaged over 7/10 in keeping the Blades out in league cup action, furthering calls for his place in the regular Sunderland line up.

16: Elliot Embleton (31 pts) (17) - Like Burge, Embleton’s only meaningful contribution was in the league cup, with injuries and Ross’ squad selection limiting his opportunities.

17: Aiden McGeady (25 pts) 18: Grant Leadbitter (21pts) 19: George Dobson (21 pts) 20: Marc McNulty (0pts) 21: Alim Ozturk (0pts) 22: Duncan Watmore (0 pts) 23: Benji Kimpioka (0 pts) 24: Bali Mumba (0 pts).