How did the players fare in Sunderland's 2-1 defeat at Southend?
SOUTHEND (4-1-4-1):
Oxley 6; Bwomono 6, White 6, Turner 7, Moore 5 (Humphrys 77); Kiernan 8; Hart 7 (Kightly 69, 7), Mantom 7, Yearwood 5 (Dieng 72), McLAUGHLIN 8; Cox 7.
Subs (not used): Bishop (gk), Lennon, Hendrie, Hutchinson.
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):
6 McLaughlin: Didn’t have a chance with either goal, but isn’t commanding his area with the same authority he was showing earlier in the season
5 Matthews: Returned to the side ahead of O’Nien, but looked rusty – will surely be back on the bench against Portsmouth
4 Ozturk: His form has gradually dipped since he returned to the side – failed to close down his opponent for either of the goals
5 Flanagan: Will feel he should have done much better when Humphrys swept in Southend’s winner
5 Hume: Got the nod ahead of Oviedo and acquitted himself reasonably well, even if he will be back on the bench at the weekend
4 Gooch: Wasted some good first-half positions with some dreadful decision-making – hasn’t kicked on at all this season
5 Leadbitter: Kept things neat and tidy at the base of midfield, but doesn’t provide the same kind of drive as Cattermole
6 Power: One of Sunderland’s brighter performers – looked more comfortable after the second-half tactical reshuffle
7 MAGUIRE: One of the few Sunderland players to match their opponents’ commitment and effort – successfully converted the penalty
4 Grigg: Still looks way off the pace as he tries to regain full fitness – was hauled off before the hour mark after failing to offer a threat
6 Wyke: Won one penalty and might well have been awarded another – looks a much better bet than Grigg at the moment
Subs:
7 O’Nien (for Gooch, 56): Helped get Sunderland going after he came on to the field and will be back in the starting side against Portsmouth
5 Sterling (for Grigg, 56): Threatened with a couple of late shots, but still looks some way short of being the finished product
5 McGeouch (for Power, 68): Wasn’t really able to influence the game from his deep-lying midfield position
(not used): Ruiter (gk), Oviedo, Dunne, Connelly.
Man Of The Match: STEPHEN McLAUGHLIN – The winger’s energy and commitment exemplified Southend’s approach, and stood in marked contrast to the attitude of most of the Sunderland players.
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