Tony Mowbray says Nazariy Rusyn 'missed a few opportunities' as he explains early substitution

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has explained why he hauled striker Nazariy Rusyn off at half-time at Plymouth.

Nazariy Rusyn was hauled off at half-time at Plymouth due to poor performance, Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray has confirmed.

Rusyn has looked a threat up front since making his debut for the Wearsiders in late October. He again led the line at Plymouth, starting his fourth successive game for Sunderland, although the Ukrainian was withdrawn at half-time with him still yet to score for the club.

Teenager Eliezer Mayenda was brought on to replace him, and Mowbray confirmed it was a case of Rusyn not doing enough in that first half with the opportunity he had.

“I took Rusyn off because I felt as if he’d missed a few opportunities,” Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle. “He ran offside a few times and Mayenda has been so good in training.

“[Mayenda has been] so powerful and sharp, I just felt it was time to give him an opportunity down the middle.

“They all need to play. We’re not going to know whether they can score goals unless they get time on the pitch.”

Sunderland’s wastefulness in front of goal lately has left many wondering whether it is time to hand more opportunities to the fringe players.

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Mowbray clearly has not settle on a preferred striker and the stats suggest Adil Aouchiche is warranting more game time too.

The Sunderland boss is understandably unwilling to reveal much about his team for the visit of Huddersfield in midweek, but he plans on using all his players at some point in the coming weeks.

“The players we have got will get opportunities to play [at some stage,” he said

"Aouchiche will play, Mayenda will play, Ba will play, somewhere along the line Hemir will get opportunities. Mason Burstow was injured today but he'll be back and he'll get chances."

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