Jimmy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-2 Plymouth - Dismal pitch, dismal performance from SAFC

Lee Burge: 6/10

Held onto a strong low drive early on to keep Sunderland in the game, Burge did concede twice, but he was beaten by two well taken, close range finishes.

Dion Sanderson: 5/10

Seemed torn between playing his normal game and being more cautious in borderline waterlogged conditions. Sanderson didn’t quite get the balance right and gave away possession too often.

Jordan Willis: 6/10

Appeared to reaggravate an existing injury flying into a great sliding challenge in the first-half. Willis had defended well until then, the issue was his pass selection and clearances, whilst sensible in terrible conditions, often led to Sunderland giving away the ball.

Bailey Wright: 5/10

Struggled with his long range passing in the rain and failed to get across to his near post to stop Plymouth’s first goal.

There were spells in the game where Wright’s composure and ability to read play helped Sunderland gain control, but those moments were overshadowed by his errors. Wright got stuck in mud failing to close down Joe Edwards, who rifled Plymouth back ahead.

Callum McFadzean: 6/10

Looked sharp and positive carrying the ball forwards and linking up with Aiden McGeady, loses a mark for his passive defending in the build-up to Plymouth’s opener.

McFadzean went a long way to redeeming himself with a brilliant first-time cross to create O’Brien’s goal.

Carl Winchester: 5/10

Showed some of the composure and comfort on the ball that likely made Lee Johnson want to sign him, but a lot of his clever touches were quickly followed up by misplaced passes.

Josh Scowen: 4/10

There were some good touches and nice moments from Scowen, but in what seems to be a growing pattern, his performance was defined by bad passing and his constant concession of possession.

Aiden McGeady: 7/10

Sunderland’s best player. McGeady nearly scored on a few occasions, produced some excellent set pieces and could easily have had multiple assists on another night.

Jack Diamond: 5/10

Another Black Cat who never got to grips with the conditions, he couldn’t run with the ball with his usual swagger. The ball just constantly escaped his control.

Aiden O’Brien: 7/10

Looked sharp in his movement, nearly scored with a clever near post flick and set up Sunderland’s best first-half chance, when he played in McGeady.

He glanced in Sunderland’s equaliser brilliantly with supreme confidence.

Charlie Wyke: 4/10

From hero to zero, his first touch was non-existent all night and he rarely combined effectively with anyone in a red and white shirt.

(SUB) Max Power: 5/10

Had the thankless task of trying to get to grips with the wet conditions midway through the first-half, unsurprisingly he struggled. Power’s crossing was poor and his technique let him down too often when passing.

(SUB) Elliot Embleton: 6/10

Real mixed bag, played some excellent weighted passes in behind the Plymouth backline, but also gave away possession a lot.

(SUB) Chris Maguire: 5/10

Can’t remember any big moments from Maguire in the game, apart from an overhit cross.

(SUB) Grant Leadbitter : n/a

Came on ten minutes from time.

Man of the Match

Aiden McGeady