Sunderland were beaten 3-1 by Fulham at the weekend.

Former Sunderland attacker Marco Gabbiadini has admitted that he thinks the club’s recent acquisitions have looked “a little bit green” since arriving on Wearside.

Both Jocelin Ta Bi and Nilson Angulo joined during the January transfer window, and started Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham, but the former was forced off injured during the first half, and while the latter showed moments of promise, he ultimately failed to provide the Black Cats with much of a cutting edge over the course of a relatively lacklustre team display.

And in his assessment of the contest at the Stadium of Light, Gabbiadini was quick to point out the issues that he feels contributed to Sunderland’s loss, including - amongst other things - Ta Bi and Angulo’s obvious inexperience at a Premier League level.

What did Marco Gabbiadini say about Sunderland’s loss to Fulham?

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport, the pundit was asked for his opinion on the Black Cats showing against Fulham, to which he responded: “The midfield was worrying... I mean, too often, for me, Enzo Le Fée ended up the deepest midfielder. He was winning headers in front of the back four and things, and I just don't think that's the right way for us to be playing. Obviously, that's [Granit] Xhaka's role, usually, but then he can interchange with [Noah] Sadiki. But I think Le Fée, that's not his role, to be the ball-winner... That's not Le Fée’s job. Not because he's not brave enough or he doesn't tackle. He's just not the physical build for that, I don't think.

“And I think we need to have a look at, sometimes, where [Habib] Diarra and Sadiki are running. They're leaving us a little bit open at times, and the issue with that is that it's a fine margin between being on the front foot and winning the ball high up the field, which we've done a lot this season, and leaving yourself exposed behind, which is sort of maybe what can happen if Diarra and Sadiki are the two who are further up the field, and then it breaks...

“They're played through, then they're coming on to maybe Le Fée... He's been balancing the team and picking up the right position, but he maybe hasn't got the strength or the mobility, as much as, say, Xhaka does, to get to the ball and break it up quickly. So, it's been a bit of an issue for us.”

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Switching his attention to Ta Bi and Angulo, Gabbiadini continued: “Sometimes, at the moment, I'm looking at this team, the last few games, and especially with the new faces that are coming in, and they look a little bit green. They all look a little bit inexperienced. You know, I thought Jocelin Ta Bi yesterday was... I don't know. He wasn't on the field for very long, but what he did... he looked like a real rookie at this level.

“And I think that sometimes you look at the other players, like, I think [Eliezer] Mayenda and [Romaine] Mundle on the bench must be thinking, ‘Surely I've done better than that’. Surely now, Dan Neil could play the position that we're missing better than Sadiki can or better than Diarra can. I may be wrong. I know the club's trying to move on and create, but when you're bringing new players in, it's difficult, because we're playing with a lot...

“[Brian] Brobbey is still making his way as well. I think he seems to be the number one choice for striker. But, you know, I think he's struggling a little bit. When Mayenda came on, he looked a little bit busier. His footwork's better and he can go past his man and get in round the back. We sort of go in with this big, strong guy, and so everything ends up physical, and then that causes a problem when he doesn't have the outcomes.”

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