I would largely agree, I thought Cambiasso had a very good game and also played pretty well last week.

I would give Kasper an 8, for me he kept us in it today and we should have been 1-0 down by half time...

Despite his weak efforts I thought James gave us that attacking midfield creativity we'd been missing in recent weeks.

I guess that's how two people can see the same game differently.

True Blue - Fair enough. I've given James the mark I have because what I saw wasn't really creativity. He got a couple of chances, most notably a neat one-two with Ulloa which, while simple, was our best move of the match; however, I'm not sure that either required particularly great vision. In fact, my overriding feeling about him as I watched him today was that I believe he's more of a defensive midfielder and I wasn't sure whether his passing was quite there. There was no doubting his energy and his effort and he's certainly a team player and an asset elsewhere, but the impression I got today was that, when going forward and passing the ball around, both Drinkwater and King can do what he does and more.

I don't disagree at all Dunge - I think you're about spot on with those ratings.

The only tweak would be to give Wasi a 7 also but I don't know if my judgment is clouded by the fact I love having the scariest player in the prem on our side!!! It was very funny when Adam Johnson went to take him on.

I was doubtful about James before the season and I have to say I'm more doubtful now. He just looks too slow and cumbersome to make a real impact. King looks slow at times but James makes him look like Usain Bolt!

Of our central midfielders, DD (except Cambiasso) is the only one who really looks like they have the quality but he is not the type if player who can drive a game himself. He can only pull the strings when other players are giving him lots of strings to pull.

Playing Ulloa is pointless at the minute as we're giving him zero service. If we continue creating as few chances as we are we may as well drop him and play another midfielder.

If we do get desperate, we could play Albrighton wide right and Mahrez/Knocky left and resort to O'Neil tactics. Get the ball to a winger and get it in the box on to Ulloa's head.

I don't think we're that desperate yet, but it's getting there.

Is Albrighton that bad? I remember him being quite well thought of by Villa and the fans were sad to see him go.....

He can put a decent ball into the box and no one is doing that at the minute

Generally fair ratings Dunge but I would make a few adjustments.

I though De Laet had his best game for some time and dealt pretty well with the threat of Wickham. would give him a 7.5 or 8.

Thought Konchesky was solid defensively but very disappointing going forward. I think this is where his limitations stand out.

Schlupp had an excellent first half but disappeared second half and was rightly hooked.

Cambiasso was class again and does pull the strings. James alongside him worked well and definitely deserved his place as DD has been poor in recent weeks. Several times James showed quick feet and produced a few surging runs that galvanised those around him.

Ulloa looked better today and did see some better service. Vardy is a pest and nearly capitalised on a couple of poor back passes. I still think he could cut it at this level but needs time - remember his first season in the Championship and it took time for him to adapt then.

I like Nugent and I suspect I am alone in rating his contribution to the team this season but yesterday just didn't work for him. Didn't even seem that energetic. Don't remember a time when he has made much of an impact coming on as sub. He's one of those that needs to start.

As for Pearson, I think he picked the right team. I was very pleased to see 4-4-2 and width back on the pitch and we played much better than recent matches without hitting any real heights. The subs were also well considered and I would have made similar decisions (which I am sure Pearson would be pleased to hear!)

Blackstarr, I'm not saying Albrighton is bad. I think the only real criticism you can level at him is that he's a bit one dimensional.

I'm saying that if we don't start creating chances, that one dimension may be our best hope!!

I am guessing he's doing something wrong in training though, and I can't help but feel it's more mental. Let's hope he can turn it around and does go the same way of Ben Marshall.

Here's a summary from the 'hospitality suite' lol (with the added benefits of a free programme and a free-for-all for the coffee and tea at half-time, of which I didn't get a look-in)...

KS-A very good game as far I could see, appeared confident and dealt with any issues in a thoroughly competent way (7)

De Laet-Looked good going forward but gave away a needless free-kick close to the penalty area near the end that could have cost us dearly (7)

Wasilewski-I too was concerned by his inability to deal with something that passed over his head. Other than that he was stable enough in his sector (6)

Morgan-Looked fairly strong in his role (6)

Konchesky-A fairly substantial performance (6)

Mahrez-Very creative and was a nuisance to the Sunderland defence. He did, however, tire in the second-half as was previously mentioned. I thought he was our best player (8)

James-Looked fairly solid (6)

Cambiasso-Very good on the ball and showed his class (7)

Schlupp-Very strong and fast at times but his finishing let him down (6)

Vardy-Tried hard but was up against some strong defending (6)

Ulloa-As previously mentioned he didn't receive the service he required to make a real impact on the match but always got 'stuck in' (6)

Generally agree Dunge but I'm dropping Cambiasso to a 7 and making Kasper MoM, if only because he's the reason we came away with a point yesterday. I thought Wasi was worth a 7, really strong in the air.

James and Vardy did OK but drop from what would have been 7s to your 6 for me as James was guilty of a bad miss and Vardy should have put Mahrez through on goal instead of trying to hog the ball by cutting back. Jeff gets dropped to a 6 for his poor effort on goal. Might be being a bit harsh but we need those goals!

Knocky - I haven't been clamouring for his return and this was another performance which did not inspire me to think there is a Premiership player in there.

Nige - 7. For trying something more adventurous which at least made us look as if we might score.

As i saw the starting line up i thought was very strong.
Dunge you will be surprised to hear i thought RDL had a poor game and Kasper saved us. although the bounce over his head and the shall i come or shall i go moment did not inspire.

first class first half with the forwards closing down and given the back four no time to set up.

Second half ran out of ideas and as for the Subs well Nug's shot/pass or whatever should of had him hooked straight off.
What about four minutes for Wood,how does that work?
We need a set piece coach and a goal scorer in Jan break the bank.

Set pieces are an interesting point, Nev. People around me commented how Sunderland tried all sorts of difference set pieces and tricks - we were wise to most of them but they forged a couple of decent opportunities from them. Meanwhile we only pumped balls into the box that generally weren't of good enough quality anyway. At least with one or two of Cambiasso's quick free kicks, they may not have come off but there was an interesting idea there that would have put us in a good position if they had. Perhaps it is indeed time for more invention in this area.

Dung i and i have been going to watch city for a long time double yours in my case and we have always been pants at free kicks and don't get me started on corners...James beat the first man!

Except under O'Neill of course.

It is baffling just how bad our crosses are though. It doesn't seem to matter who takes them either, they just don't look as dangerous as the opposition's set pieces and, like you say, so many don't beat the first man it's not even funny. I just wish they'd have someone in front of the front post all the time to at least make it awkward or flick the ball on.

Get Guppy back.....