Player ratings as Sunderland suffer woeful defeat against Barnsley

Sunderland dropped back into the bottom three after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Barnsley.
Sunderland were woeful against struggling BarnsleySunderland were woeful against struggling Barnsley
Sunderland were woeful against struggling Barnsley

Here's how the Black Cats rated...

ROBBIN RUITER

Two very smart stops from Isgrove in each half. Looks far more confident and secure at the moment. 6

DONALD LOVE

Released into some great positions early on by Gibson but quality on the ball was very poor. Struggled to contain Isgrove who broke free regularly. 4

ADAM MATTHEWS

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Shocking marking for the goal as Ethan Pinnock coasted past him to head home. Was missed in the wide areas after impressing at Nottingham Forest. 4

JOHN O'SHEA

Made some important headers and did his best to keep Barnsley at bay when they broke in the second half .6

TYIAS BROWNING

Looked a little leggy after a testing festive period but some good blocks and tackles nevertheless. 6

BRYAN OVIEDO (Maja, 45)

Went closer than anyone in the first half with a fine free kick but not his usual threatening self from open play. 6

DARRON GIBSON (McNair, 33)

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Sunderland's most composed player and played some gorgeous cross field balls to Donald Love. A real miss after going off with a groin problem. 6

GEORGE HONEYMAN

A disappointment after such a fine showing at the City Ground. Lost the ball too easily but almost opened Barnsley up with one fine run. 4

AIDEN McGEADY

Some good touches in the first half but went missing in the second as Sunderland failed to get any grip of the game. 4

CALLUM McMANAMAN (Asoro, 60)

Early promise when he glided past two midfielders to shoot but faded from the contest again. 5

JAMES VAUGHAN

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Badly isolated in the first half but couldn't make the most of his few openings. 4

Subs

PADDY McNAIR

Almost equalised with an excellent volley but on his return from injury couldn't impose himself on the game. 5

JOSH MAJA

Frustrating afternoon, taking one touch too many with his only real opening. 5

JOEL ASORO

One or two bright moments as he looked to get in behind the left-back but couldn't create a significant opening. 6

Unused: Steele, Maja, Asoro, Beadling, Embleton, Jones

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Barnsley XI: Davies, Cavare, Pinnock, Lindsay, Fryers, Williams, Gardner (Moncur, 71), Potts, Isgrove, Hammill (McCarthy, 90), Thiam (Bradshaw, 71)

Unused subs: Townsend, Ugbo, Mallan, McGeehan

Bookings: Potts, 11 Lindsay, 50 Love, 58 Davies, 65 Bradshaw, 80 Fryers, 90

Attendance: 28,311