How did the players fare as Sunderland suffered a 2-0 defeat in their pre-season friendly at Bradford?
BRADFORD (4-3-3):
Lewis 6; Halliday 7 (Threlkeld 46), Platt 7 (Cousin-Dawson 77), Crichlow 7 (Staunton 66), Foulds 6 (Scales 77); East 6 (Oliver 66), SMALLWOOD 8 (Young 77), Osadebe 7 (Songo’o 66); Walker 7 (Wood 77), Angol 6 (Pointon 77), Cook 7 (Harratt 66).
Subs (not used): Richardson (gk)
SUNDERLAND (3-5-2):
6 Carney: Got an important touch to the ball to prevent Cook from going around him, but should perhaps have done better with Bradford’s first goal
6 WINCHESTER: Was stationed as the right of Sunderland’s three centre-halves, and produced a brilliant goalline clearance in the dying seconds
5 Batth: Made a couple of important first-half interceptions – most notably against Angol – but was beaten by Osadebe for Bradford’s opener
5 Alese: Showed some nice touches on his first Sunderland start, although was also caught of position on a number of occasions
4 Gooch: Was unusually quiet playing at right wing-back, and suffered a rush of blood as he tugged down Walker to concede the penalty that led to the second goal
5 Embleton: Tried to keep things neat and tidy at the heart of midfield, but wasn’t really able to pick out those in front of him
4 Matete: Put himself about, grabbing Cook by the neck at one stage, but needed to show more composure in possession
5 O’Nien: Tried to pose a threat in the pocket behind Sunderland’s two strikers, but wasn’t a factor in the 18-yard box
5 Taylor: Was stationed at left wing-back, but wasn’t really able to spend any meaningful time in Bradford’s final third
4 Clarke: Neil clearly wanted to have a look at him as a central striker, but his lack of physicality was an issue
4 Diamond: Wouldn’t have expected to be playing as a centre-forward this pre-season – and showed nothing to suggest he is suited to the role
Subs:
6 Sohna (for Taylor, 61): Added a bit of energy late on, and came close with a long-range effort that fizzed just wide of the post
(not used): Patterson (gk), Richardson, Neil, Stewart, Wright, Evans, Hume, Cirkin, Pritchard, Roberts, Ballard, Dajaku.
Man Of The Match: RICHIE SMALLWOOD - The former Middlesbrough midfielder controlled things from the heart of the Bradford midfield.
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