Sunderland drew their opening match of the season against Oxford at the weekend, coming back from a goal down to secure at least a point.

Much of last season’s failure was a symptom of too many draws and whilst an unbeaten start to a campaign would suit most clubs, the expectation at the Stadium of Light makes this a disappointing afternoon’s work.

It could have been so much worse; Tariqe Fosu’s opener after a mistake by Conor McLaughlin was the only mistake the U’s seized upon, but by no means the only one the Sunderland back three made.

With a new formation and a handful of new faces, there is a feeling this is still a work in progress side, but after another game without a goal from open play, following on from the trend set in pre-season, Jack Ross will have plenty to occupy him this week,

Here are three things we think he’ll have learned from the game against Oxford.

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There is still work to do

Having only made a handful of signings, this might have been obvious, but their rather tepid display only followed on from last season, rather than improved upon it.

Will Grigg had plenty to say pre-match about his form, but he didn’t impress one bit. The back three, part of a new system implements by Ross, were ill at ease with their new roles.

Fans might have seen much of the same, but that won’t keep them nor the owners satisfied if it continues into the season.

Lee Cattermole shouldn’t be missed

George Dobson and Dylan McGeouch took the responsibility for holding the midfield and they both had a decent game.

McGeouch struggled for minutes last season and when he did get on the pitch, he didn’t impress.

If the Black Cats are taking anything positive from the draw, it will be the form these two showed. It’s the early makings of a decent midfield partnership that could form the foundations of a successful team.

New players need time to settle in

Jordan Willis and Conor McLaughlin, in particular, did not have comfortable afternoons. The former Millwall man was to blame for the goal, whilst Willis looked increasingly uncomfortable in possession.

In order for the new formation to work, the back three and wide defenders have to be fully engaged and competent with the system.

This was the first time it’d been seen competitively and whilst they didn’t lose, on another day they could have easily conceded more. That’s got to be a worry for Ross.

Delivery needs to improve

The delivery into the box was simply not good enough. Last season they relied heavily on Aiden McGeady and he’s not yet fully fit; that’s a real problem.

Even with the shaky start they might have taken all three points had they got good enough balls into the box. They need to either sharpen up, or the likes of Lynden Gooch will soon find themselves heading out of the door.