Sunderland hit with major selection blow ahead of Swansea and Norwich City fixtures
Sunderland have been dealt with a major selection blow ahead of Swansea City’s visit to the Stadium of Light next weekend.
Dan Ballard was booked midway through Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City for a foul on Tyler Roberts, his tenth yellow card of the season. The influential defender has been walking a tightrope for a number of games but will now be suspended for the next two fixtures. That means he will also miss the trip to face fellow play-off contenders Norwich City at the start of March.
Fellow central defender Luke O’Nien currently sits on nine yellow cards for the campaign, meaning he is one-game away from a two-match suspension. Jenson Seelt is likely to take Ballard’s place for the upcoming fixtures, having impressed in his recent appearances.
READ MORE: Fellow central defender Luke O’Nien currently sits on nine yellow cards for the campaign, meaning he is one-game away from a two-match suspension. Jenson Seelt is likely to take Ballard’s place for the upcoming fixtures, having impressed in his recent appearances.
Anthony Patterson: 4/10
Made a great save to tip over a dangerous volley in the first half but was very poor for both goals. Made what was a good save initially for the equaliser but could only palm it right back into a dangerous area and then he looked to turn his back on an oncoming Birmingham played for the second rather than try and make a block.
Trai Hume: 6/10
Was very good at times, getting stuck in and making important blocks, notably clearing an effort off the line just before the equaliser. But also had a much harder time after the break with his team sitting back and being under more pressure.
Dan Ballard: 6/10
Didn’t give Stansfield much to work with and sniffed out most of the dangerous attacks that came central.
Luke O’Nien (C): 5/10
Was playing OK, like Ballard until late in the second half when he gave away the ball in dangerous areas.
Leo Hjelde: 4/10
Got beaten too easily down the left in the build up to the first goal and then let a player sneak in and steal the winner. Had been doing OK without standing out outside of those instances.
Dan Neil: 5/10
Extremely quiet in a more defensive role. Tidy on the ball and worked really hard but is really playing within himself as he does a job for the team that he’s not really suited for.within himself as he does a job for the team that he’s not really suited for.
Pierre Ekwah: 5/10
A good first half, playing on the right side of central midfield and breaking up play and trying to get it forward quickly but struggled after the break.
Romaine Mundle: 7/10
Was very involved in the first half, constantly troubling the Birmingham left back and working hard out of possession. Put a great chance on a plate for Burstow and then had a good chance himself, after winning the ball high up, turning the centre back and only being denied a goal on his full debut by a good save from Ruddy. Faded after the break but partly due to the defensive tactics employed.
Jobe Bellingham: 5/10
Won the ball high up before the winner and dawdled on the ball in the 18-yard box rather than getting a shot off or playing in any of his team-mates that were around him, Clarke was noticeably free. Did work hard today but like his team-mates, he struggled after the break.
Jack Clarke: 6/10
Did really well to intercept a pass and slide home our goal and then almost got us an equaliser late on with a dribble towards the ‘D’. Far too isolated though and we could not get him involved enough.
Mason Burstow: 4/10
Barely involved. There were a couple of moments where he’d drop deep spin and play it wide but otherwise may have been a spectator. Had one real chance but he spooned a sitter over the bar in the first half from Mundle’s cross.
