Sunderland ace Conor McLaughlin offered a well-rounded display at right-midfield on Tuesday night, as the Northern Ireland international brought creativity and defensive support to the Crown Oil Arena.
The Black Cats travelled to Greater Manchester looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the League One season, having been beaten 3-1 at home by Portsmouth three days prior in a match that saw Phil Parkinson’s side slip down to sixth in the table.
A point at Rochdale after goals from Charlie Wyke and Bailey Wright between efforts from Matthew Lund could not prevent Sunderland from falling out of the Play-Off places, though, with Parkinson’s men now seventh and seven points behind league-leaders Lincoln City.
McLaughlin proved a key aspect of Sunderland’s efforts to beat Rochdale in their midweek clash, as the 29-year-old returned to his natural wide position after slotting into a centre-back role for a makeshift defence against Crewe Alexandra last week.
Parkinson will have been impressed by McLaughlin’s response to being dropped for the Portsmouth defeat, despite the full-back failing to pen an assist against Rochdale amid his continued search for only his second across all competitions since joining Sunderland in 2019.
McLaughlin was courted extensively during the summer market that year by former Black Cats boss Jack Ross, who was full of praise for the Belfast-born defender when he announced his arrival at the Stadium of Light.
“He brings quality and experience to a position that was of high-priority for us to have options in,” said Ross, via quotes by the Sunderland Echo. “I look forward to working with him over the course of the season.”
McLaughlin made the 25th appearance of his Sunderland career against Rochdale on Tuesday night, marking only his third League One start since the turn of the year with Parkinson often looking elsewhere in his squad to serve as the wide-right option.
Parkinson will have been impressed by what McLaughlin brought to the table at the Crown Oil Arena, with the 29-year-old recording four key balls from 36 accurate passes, while delivering three accurate crosses from nine attempts, per SofaScore.
The former Millwall defender further contributed to Sunderland’s attack with a vast per cent of his 81 touches coming inside Rochdale territory, though aiding right-sided centre-back Dion Sanderson with two tackles, one interception, one clearance and one shot blocked.
McLaughlin additionally won three of his six ground duels, three of his four aerial contests and was fouled once, but was also caught offside twice and did not attempt any dribbles or shots.
His efforts should be enough to see Parkinson maintain with McLaughlin on the right-hand side of the Sunderland midfield against Gillingham in Saturday’s League One clash at Priestfield Stadium.
AND in other news, a promotion rival has pinpointed a major flaw in Phil Parkinson’s tactics that could spell dire consequences for Sunderland.