Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-1 Wigan - Black Cats fall to devastating defeat in Johnson’s debut

Lee Burge: 6/10

I’m sick of writing about goalkeepers who let in the oppositions’ only shot on target, it wasn’t Burge’s fault this time though, he was beaten by a powerful and accurate half-volley

Conor McLaughlin: 4/10

Started the game well, but regressed into his old bad habits as the game wore on, playing lazy passes and punting speculative balls into the channels, his crossing was disappointing all afternoon.

Bailey Wright: 5/10

Is Bailey Wright turning into a League One Wes Brown? Wright looks so good for 89 minutes and then seems to lose total control of his body and make an unfathomable mistake that costs us a goal every match.

Tom Flanagan: 6/10

Looked more comfortable bringing the ball out from the back and playing forwards in a four-man defence. Flanagan didn’t have too much defending to do against stubborn, defensive-minded opposition.

Denver Hume: 6/10

His afternoon was cut short by a suspected hamstring injury, but he was inconsistent until then. Hume showed a lot of his best qualities going forward his quick feet, speed and ever-improving final ball, but on the other hand he was defensively shaky and sold himself in the build-up for the Wigan goal.

Grant Leadbitter: 5/10

Played a few excellent through balls including one to release Aiden McGeady through on goal, but overall like most of his teammates it was an underwhelming performance, that lacked intensity after the 20-minute mark.

Max Power: 6/10

Showed a greater appetite to push on and get into the box under our new coach, Power also released Josh Scowen early in proceedings with one of the passes of the season.

Josh Scowen: 4/10

Same old story, for as good as Scowen’s energy and ability to pop up in good areas is, he’s just not providing enough quality when the ball does comes his way, another wasteful day at the office. Also his corners were miserable, not passing the first man time and time again.

Chris Maguire: 4/10

It was Maguire’s bad decision-making and poor crossing that meant Sunderland failed to capitalise on a dominant start to the match. His final ball was lacking all game again.

Aiden McGeady: 4/10

Looked understandably rusty, he nearly put Sunderland two down with a careless giveaway in midfield that led to a speculative penalty shout, whilst his passing was off all game. McGeady also missed Sunderland’s best first half chance skying over from close range.

Will Grigg: 4/10

Failed to make the most of limited half chances, his first touch was non-existent and he struggled to impose himself on the game.

(SUB) Callum McFadzean: 4/10

All McFadzean really did after he replaced an injured Hume was give away the ball.

(SUB) Elliot Embleton: 5/10

Another Black Cat who received the ball in great areas, but didn’t provide anywhere near enough quality with his final deliveries.

(SUB) Danny Graham: 5/10

Gave Sunderland a presence up front, managed a couple clever layoffs, that didn’t quite come off. To counter his occasional touch of class there were also infuriating sloppy touches and botched passes.

(SUB) Jack Diamond: n/a

Came on with 13-minutes remaining.

Man of the Match

Max Power