One Sunderland star has been told he was their ‘brightest player’ despite the 1-0 defeat to Watford.
Sunderland made it back-to-back losses this weekend as they were beaten by Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Black Cats have now failed to score in four of their last five games in the Championship, while defeat has seen them drop down to 15th place.
It was yet another underwhelming performance, though a win for the Hornets was arguably undeserved, having claimed half the amount of shots on target as Sunderland and also less possession.
The Black Cats stuck with the same five at the back formation that they have used through most of April, and while they have conceded only two goals in that time, they have picked up only one win.
Trai Hume was ‘rarely beaten’ v Watford
There was very little praise to be handed out at full-time, however one man was hailed as Sunderland’s ‘brightest player’ in Hertfordshire.
Trai Hume was awarded a 7 rating for his display against Watford, with the Sunderland Echo writing: “Probably Sunderland’s brightest player on the day. Crunched into some challenges and was rarely beaten.”
The 22-year-old had 74 touches, made one key pass, completed three successful dribbles, won four headers and also made two clearances and four tackles.
The defender needs to work on his attack
Hume also failed to succeed with any of his crosses, which is arguably one downside to his game if we are playing him as a wing-back.
The Northern Ireland international is brilliant defensively and is comfortably our best tackler – if not in the Championship – but I think his attacking side needs some work.
He has been asked to push forward a lot this season, especially when we haven’t had a tricky winger in front of him, with the likes of Chris Rigg and Alex Pritchard having been expected to come inside instead.
I wouldn’t have much faith in Hume to run forward, take someone on or deliver a brilliant ball into the box though, and that could be contributing to our horrific goalscoring record since the turn of the year.
I would be surprised if we deploy him as a wing-back next season though, and hopefully Patrick Roberts can return to his best and bring the creativity that we are lacking down that right side.