With recent news breaking that the recently released Max Power had returned to former club Wigan, what better time to look back at his time at Sunderland?
Power was a big name signing when he joined from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2018. Power had buckets of League One experience, winning promotion from the third division twice during his spell at the Latics. Initially, Power was a revelation in midfield, making his debut against Luton Town and showing his qualities as an all-action box to box midfielder. Following his impressive start, Power was sent off three times in quick succession against Oxford, Bradford and Walsall although the latter was latter rescinded. These red cards seemed to have a huge effect on Max, who began to play more reserved and only scored twice more after the sending-offs. We made the play-off final that year, with Power a large part of our tactics as an advanced midfielder. After Charlton’s bizarre own goal, Max was injured after just nine minutes and replaced by Lewis Morgan. The injury changed the whole complexion of the game, and we all know what happened after that.
Coming off the back of our play-off heartbreak, Power missed the first two games with injury. In Phil Parkinson’s second match after replacing Jack Ross, the midfielder was given the captain’s armband against his boyhood club Tranmere, where the lads smashed Rovers 5-0. Power played more deep-lying under Parkinson, rather than the attack-minded creator that we’d previously seen under Ross. The season was ultimately curtailed with Sunderland missing out on the play-offs, and despite solidifying his place as a team leader, Power’s only goal as captain was a last-gasp equaliser against Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town.
Last season, Power led out the team to an empty Stadium of Light. His vocal leadership was clearer than ever, with fans able to hear every word through their televisions. Although last season was ultimately a failure, the combative midfielder captained his side to glory in the Papa John’s Trophy, which was our first piece of silverware since 1973! Power actually filled in at right back that match and didn’t look out of place, which is testament to the professionalism and desire to help the team which he showed throughout his time on Wearside. Sadly, fans’ last memory of Power is the now infamous moment of him shooting from 40 yards in the last minute against Lincoln, when the box was full of bodies for an equaliser.
In conclusion, it’s fair to say that Max Power’s Sunderland career has been one of highs and lows, dividing opinion but always giving his all for the shirt. A good League One player such as Power might seem like a good idea, but unfortunately good League One players are yet to drag us out of this depressing division.
