A poor first half display was balanced out with a dominant second half performance. A 2-2 draw is probably a fair result in the end; here’s how the lads rated out of ten...
Lee Burge (5/10): Arguably could have prevented the goalmouth scramble for the first goal, but helpless after the initial save. Some very erratic goalkeeping today and generally didn’t command his box very well.
Max Power (6/10): Got caught out of position a few times but made up for it with some dangerous crosses. With Dion Sanderson on the bench, it’s strange that Johnson persists with Power out of position week in week out.
Jordan Willis (5/10): Lacked sharpness, understandably since he replaced Flanagan in the warmup. Struggled with Cameron Jerome, especially in the first half.
Bailey Wright (5/10): Like Willis, Wright didn’t fully look up to speed. Despite making one crucial block that would have been a goal, he looked slow and off the pace.
Josh Vokins (5/10): Steady if unspectacular at left back on his debut, looking a lot more assured defensively than McFadzean, which means very little! Will improve with more game time.
Grant Leadbitter (7/10): Overran in the midfield in the first half, but helped keep us on the front foot after half time. His quality from set pieces was clear to see as well as his vision and range of passing.
Luke O’Nien (6/10): Took his goal very well, finishing emphatically. In the game as a whole the midfielder offered plenty of energy and attacking support, but lacked composure in possession and had to be subbed before he was sent off.
Lynden Gooch (6/10): Played a key role in hitting MK Dons on the counterattack, even if he did try to do too much at times. Bright on the wing until coming off, and offered a bit more quality in possession than Jack Diamond has done in recent weeks.
Aiden McGeady (7/10): One of Sunderland’s most influential attackers, the tricky winger showed lots of impressive touches, playing a smart pass to release Wyke for the first goal, should have won it for us at the death.
Aiden O’Brien (7/10): Showed glimpses of quality, like his great touches for Wyke’s goal. The problem is consistency, with O’Brien going missing for large parts of the game.
Charlie Wyke (7/10): Linked up well with the midfield, holding the ball up well and drawing fouls. Great movement off the ball which created a number of chances for the lads.
Subs:
Jordan Jones (7/10): Totally changed the game when he came on. Extremely quick and direct, MK Dons simply couldn’t deal with him.
Josh Scowen (6/10): Energetic as usual but didn’t get on the ball too much as Leadbitter took control in midfield.
Chris Maguire (5/10): Barely touched the ball in a period of the game where we needed a moment of quality.
Dion Sanderson (6/10): Solid defensively, adding solidity as MK Dons pushed forward.
