Sunderland Player Ratings: Watford Draw

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Post on Feb 09, 2025

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Sunderland Player Ratings: Watford Draw - A Thorough Analysis

Sunderland's goalless draw against Watford left a mixed taste in the mouths of fans. While a point away at a fellow Championship contender is respectable, the Black Cats arguably deserved more. Let's delve into a detailed analysis of individual player performances, rating each player's contribution to the match.

Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson (7.5/10)

Patterson was undoubtedly Sunderland's standout performer, making several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. His commanding presence in the box and decisive shot-stopping were pivotal in denying Watford a victory. He showcased excellent reflexes, particularly in the second half, displaying the form that has established him as one of the Championship's top young keepers. His distribution could have been slightly more accurate at times, but his overall performance was commendable.

Defence:

• Lynden Gooch (6.5/10): Gooch provided his usual tireless work rate down the right flank, offering defensive solidity and some promising attacking forays. He dealt effectively with Watford's wingers for much of the game, although he could have offered more support in the attacking third.
• Danny Batth (7/10): A solid and experienced presence at the heart of the defence, Batth dealt comfortably with Watford's aerial threat and made several crucial interceptions. His leadership qualities were evident throughout the match, organizing the backline effectively.
• Aji Alese (6.8/10): Alese showcased his composure and maturity, exhibiting a good understanding with Batth. He was assured in possession and rarely put a foot wrong defensively. He needs to add more attacking impetus to his game but overall a positive performance.
• Dennis Cirkin (7/10): Cirkin delivered a strong performance, demonstrating excellent defensive awareness and composure. His overlapping runs offered a threat going forward, providing support on the left flank and creating opportunities for crosses into the box.

Midfield:

• Corry Evans (6.5/10): Evans provided his customary grit and determination in midfield, winning back possession consistently and shielding the defence. His experience was invaluable, offering composure in midfield amidst a high-intensity game. His passing could be sharper at times.
• Dan Neil (6/10): Neil displayed glimpses of his talent, but his overall performance lacked consistency. He worked hard but was occasionally caught out of position, hindering his influence on the game.
• Pierre Ekwah (6.5/10): Ekwah's energy and dynamism in midfield were a positive influence. He showed moments of brilliance with his driving runs and his willingness to take on players, providing a direct threat. However, there were instances where he needed more precision in his passing.

Attack:

• Patrick Roberts (6/10): Roberts was quiet in comparison to some other games. While he showed flashes of his skill and trickery, he failed to create any clear-cut chances. He needs to work harder to influence the game when defenders are successfully cutting off space.
• Ross Stewart (7/10): Stewart led the line tirelessly, holding up the ball effectively and creating space for teammates. While he didn't find the back of the net, his performance was crucial in pinning back the Watford defence. His hold-up play and link-up play were impressive.
• Jack Clarke (6.5/10): Clarke worked diligently on the wing, but his final product often lacked precision. Despite some threatening runs, he needs to be more clinical in the final third.

Substitutes:

(Ratings are dependent on minutes played and impact)

The substitutes made little impact on the game, so no individual ratings are offered this time.

Overall:

The draw against Watford reflects Sunderland's resilience and defensive solidity. While the attacking play could have been more incisive, the team showed character and determination to secure a valuable point on the road. Improving the final third’s effectiveness will be crucial in future games to turn draws into wins. Patterson's performance was the highlight, showcasing his potential as a top-tier goalkeeper.

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