Rotherham 2-1 Sunderland: Player Ratings as Black Cats suffer defeat

Which Sunderland players emerged from the defeat at Rotherham with credit?

Author:
Rob Cairns
Publish date:
Feb 21, 2023 5:24 PM EST

Sunderland dropped more points in a disappointing defeat to Rotherham United in the Championship.

Tony Mowbray's side went to South Yorkshire in confident mood but a lacklustre first half put them immediately on the back foot. They conceded the first to Ollie Rathbone halfway through the first half, and a killer second shortly after half time from Shane Ferguson gave them a mountain to climb.

Sunderland did improve in the second half, and a first goal for Joe Gelhardt, who also had one ruled out for offside, gave them fresh life, but it was too little too late.

Sunderland player ratings vs Rotherham

Anthony Patterson - Possibly(?) could have done better for Rotherham's opener. Kept pinging balls straight to Clarke's head which invariably resulted in Rotherham getting the ball back straight away. Not an evening where he had an opportunity to do much well. 5

Luke O'Nien - One of our better players. Dug out a wonderful ball for Gelhardt's goal. Takes a fraction of a second longer than Hume to play the ball when at right back, and more comfortable when he came in to centre back. Did alright in general. 7

Danny Batth - Maybe should have got closer for the first Rotherham goal. Generally dealt with Hugill relatively well. It was from the front and the sides of the centre backs that most of the problems came. 6

Dan Ballard - Fairly good for the most part. Strode out with the ball. Won his headers. 7

Dennis Cirkin - Struggled one on one against Ogbene. Carded and replaced by Alese. Wasn't terrible but wasn't a match that suited him. 5

Dan Neil - At fault for Rotherham's second. Gave the ball away too much in general. He never hides when he's not playing well, but on this occasion, he did not play particularly well. 5

Edouard Michut - Didn't get close enough to Rathbone for the opener. There were plenty of moments where he showed his technical skill, but probably due a break from the starting eleven. 5

Jack Clarke - You could tell he was playing with a spring in his step, but that was offset by the fact he's started virtually every game in recent memory and must be knackered. As with a lot of these players he needs a rest. 6

Alex Pritchard - Almost equalised moments after Rotherham's opener with a good strike, which was well tipped over by Johansson. Looked better when playing deeper. Fairly ineffectual, I'm not convinced he's 100% fit. 6

Amad Diallo - A pretty poor performance truth be told. He's been brilliant for most of the season so we'll let him off, but fatigue seems to have caught up with him more than anyone. 4

Joe Gelhardt - OK he's not Ross Stewart. He doesn't hold up the ball as brilliantly and won't score half the number of goals. But if we can accept that, he did do some things well. Took his goal nicely and could have had another had he not strayed a fraction offside. At one point he brought the ball down and played a wonderful half-volleyed pass across the pitch which showed sublime technique and vision. Hopefully that goal gives him confidence. 7

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Trai Hume - To his credit that he's brought on when we're chasing the game. Got involved without really creating any serious opportunities. 7

Aji Alese - Often the most advanced player once he came on. Added physicality and offered more than Cirkin. Unlucky to have a goal ruled out in injury time. 7

Patrick Roberts - Sublime. The best player on the pitch by a mile when he came on. I understand the need to rest him, but would the scoreline been the same if he had started? Who knows. 9

Abdoullah Ba - Played deeper than usual given the fact we were lumping the big men forward by the time he came on. Having a bit of space to play in suited him and he looked tidy. 6

Jewison Bennette - Got the ball trapped under his feet when Roberts played him in. Probably looks the player in the squad furthest away from being ready to start. 6

Sunderland player ratings vs Rotherham

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