Sunderland were on the end of their first loss of the season against Burton Albion last weekend.
Sunderland were outclassed in their first loss of the season away at the Pirelli Stadium last weekend, with Jack Ross’s men suffering a 2-1 defeat.
The game saw Ross rest key man Chris Maguire prior to kick off, but the summer signing was introduced just before half time for the injured Charlie Wyke.
And Maguire’s absence for the initial 43 minutes of the game proved just how important the winger is to Sunderland’s style of play this season.
29-year-old Maguire has been excellent since arriving from Bury in the summer, scoring three goals in League One and playing his part in many of the goals the former Premier League regulars have scored.
His introduction to the game against Burton last weekend saw the dynamic’s of the game change more or less instantly and, after 15 minutes of being on the field, Maguire scored the goal of Sunderland’s season with a left-footed strike from 25 yards.
Ross’s reasoning for leaving Maguire out of the starting line-up last weekend was clear, with the former Oxford United man having played in every one of Sunderland’s games prior to kick-off.
But, with the importance of this weekend’s game against Rochdale and Sunderland’s players having had a week to rest, it will be important for Ross to play Maguire from the start.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
