Dan Ballard immense as Regis Le Bris experiment fails – Sunderland player ratings vs Brighton
Sunderland secured a point in a 0-0 draw with Brighton on Saturday.
Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Newcastle in the Wear-Tyne derby last weekend was the last encounter of the year when the Black Cats would have a full squad available.
AFCON departures left the Sunderland squad depleted for their trip to Brighton, though that wasn’t showcased in their performance, at least in the early stages.
The Black Cats were far and away the better side for most of the game, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third prevented them from taking advantage of their momentum.
Birhgton came on strong after the hour mark, with both sides forced to settle for a point in a goalless draw.
Dan Ballard continues to prove people wrong
When Sunderland achieved promotion, many thought that Dan Ballard would be replaced, and based on the last time he faced a Premier League club, he looked as though he’d be out of his depth.
However, Ballard has been nothing short of immense for Sunderland this season, and it was no different away to Brighton.
He won everything that came his way, and aside from a stray pass in the opening few minutes, he was calm and composed on the ball.
The Northern Ireland defender is making a very strong case to be Sunderland’s Player of the Season already, though he will have plenty of company for that.
Chris Rigg simply isn’t a winger
Sunderland had five players away to AFCON, including both Chemsdine Talbi and Bertrand Traore.
As a result, Regis Le Bris was forced into two attacking changes, one of which saw Chris Rigg start on the right-wing, and it didn’t work.
While the teenager showed plenty of sharp touches, he offered very little attacking threat, and that isnt down to his own display, but more so the position he featured in.
Rigg has a lot to offer to Sunderland over this period, but it will have to be centrally, with several better options for the wide areas.
Ratings
Robin Roefs – 7
Trai Hume – 8
Nordi Mukiele – 6
Dan Ballard – 9
Omar Alderete – 8
Lutsharel Geertruida – 7
Granit Xhaka – 7
Chris Rigg – 5 (for Diarra 63′)
Enzo Le Fee – 7
Simon Adingra – 6 (for Mundle 63′)
Brian Brobbey – 6 (for Isidor 72′)
Subs
Romaine Mundle – 6 (for Adingra 63′)
Habib Diarra – 5 (for Rigg 63′)
Wilson Isidor – 5 (for Brobbey 72′)
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