Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-1 Bristol Rovers - Dobson sent off as Mackems struggle

Lee Burge: 3/10

A total disaster. His nervousness hindered the team all game - the mistakes to give away the penalty were remarkably dumb and totally avoidable. It’s just one game, but it might be time to have a serious conversation about whether Bruge has the belief to be Sunderland’s number one.

Jordan Willis: 6/10

Slightly more reliable than his defensive teammates, still sloppy and too direct at times with his passing.

Bailey Wright: 4/10

His worst ever Sunderland performance. Caught off guard numerous times by Brandon Hanlon’s pace and movement, inconsistent in the air, and extremely lucky not to be dismissed for a second yellow card.

Tom Flanagan: 5/10

Technically and physically not up to it again. Flanagan did have the odd good moment driving forward, but that hardly redeems his clear limitations.

Luke O’Nien: 5/10

O’Nien seemed too eager and desperate to get Sunderland level and played without composure or the necessary quality needed. He did improve after half-time and saw two excellent crosses nearly rewarded with Sunderland equalisers.

George Dobson: 3/10

Like O’Nien and Maguire, Dobson’s decision-making in possession was pitiful, the 22-year-old mightn’t be mature enough for his new defensive responsibilities within the team. His performance was typified by his injury time red card, he failed to complete a simple pass and then recklessly threw himself into a mindless, reckless challenge.

Max Power: 6/10

Needed to be better leading his team after a shock early goal, another who looked for the hollywood pass too often and needed to slow down his thought process in attack. Another who improved after the break, but it was too little too late.

Denver Hume: 6/10

Ironically the one Sunderland player who didn’t play like a headless chicken, surprisingly composed and clear in his decision-making, unlucky to see some good crosses go unrewarded.

Aiden O’Brien: 5/10

His first touch was great throughout, but constantly wasted. O’Brien’s final ball let him down over and over again, he also fluffed a brilliant early chance, shooting weakly from close range.

Chris Maguire: 5/10

Nowhere near his best, arguably the worst of a host of bad performances in the first half, but when he was needed, the forward reproduced a beauty reminiscent of his play-off winner against Portsmouth.

Will Grigg: 5/10

Worked tirelessly but the quality wasn’t there. Headed weakly to squander a great early chance and struggled to link up with his teammates in the final third.

(SUB) Danny Graham: 5/10

Hard to remember many touches for our new striker after his introduction 20 minutes from time.

(SUB) Charlie Wyke: 5/10

Missed two decent half-chances to complete the comeback.

(SUB) Lynden Gooch: 6/10

Created the space for Denver Hume that eventually capped the move that led to Maguire’s equaliser.

Man of the Match

Denver Hume