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Player Ratings: Oldham 1-2 Sunderland - Mackems come from behind as Lee Johnson gets first win

Sunderland came from behind to beat Oldham 2-1, progressing to the next round of the EFL Trophy in what was Lee Johnson’s first victory since becoming Head Coach. Here’s how Jimmy Lowson rated the Lads!

Oldham Athletic v Sunderland: Papa John’s Trophy Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Anthony Patterson: 6/10

Oldham’s goal was a great long range strike, but you’ve got to ask questions whenever a goalkeeper is being beaten by a low drive from that far out.

Patterson redeemed himself with a great improvised save to stop a late deflected Oldham effort ten minutes from time.

Conor McLaughlin: 6/10

Used the ball quite well and pressed with decent intensity when we looked to set traps.

Bailey Wright: 5/10

Another match where Wright looked lightweight and vulnerable playing in a back four.

Tom Flanagan: 6/10

Defended well making two crucial interceptions in the first half, Flanagan remains a liability in possession though, and one that’s even harder to hide when he’s playing as one of two central defenders.

Callum McFadzean: 4/10

Weird performance. McFadzean showed flashes of real quality racing forwards and should have been rewarded with a first half penalty when Saido Jombati dragged him to the ground. Yet, he remains too casual in possession at times, and often looks allergic to tackling.

Grant Leadbitter: 6/10

I’ve seen turnstiles put up more resistance than Leadbitter did whenever an Oldham attacker slalomed past him, his concentration levels were poor in possession in the first half with his passing lacking speed and accuracy.

The club captain was better after half time and Sunderland’s most useful passer as we searched for a winner, using his eye for a pass to great effect playing in midfielder runners.

Max Power: 6/10

Looked to be positive in his passing and play forwards whenever possible, not everything came off for Power and he was occasionally guilty of overplaying.

Josh Scowen: 6/10

Some of his movement and ball carrying through the middle was excellent and it was great to see Scowen finally open his Sunderland account with a second half header.

The midfielder loses a mark for his inconsistent passing, especially in the final third.

Chris Maguire: 6/10

Showed good poacher’s instincts to react first to a defensive miscue to pull Sunderland level and was unlucky not to score again when he saw a brilliant volley well saved by Ian Lawlor.

The occasional glimpse of quality from Maguire was too fleeting overall, he looked slow and was wasteful on too many other instances.

Jack Diamond: 7/10

As always with Diamond you get poor giveaways and overly risky dribbling, but the downsides of his play, are well worth it when in games like this he is the focal point of Sunderland’s attack.

The Black Cats looked most dangerous when Diamond was flying down the Oldham byline drilling in crosses.

Will Grigg: 6/10

His movement and pressing was good, Grigg’s link up was fine if overly safe, we just didn’t see enough of him either in our build up play or getting on the end of chances in the final third.

(SUB) Charlie Wyke: 5/10

Was inconsistent in his hold up play as Sunderland nervously stumbled towards the finishing line.

(SUB) Aiden McGeady: 7/10

Looked dangerous attacking Oldham’s right back and looking to be positive crossing the ball early and often.

(SUB) George Dobson: 6/10

Was tidy if a tad conservative in his passing in his efforts to help Sunderland see the game out.

Man of the Match

Jack Diamond

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