Jack Ross was left furious with the red card issued to midfielder Max Power this weekend, his third of the current campaign.

Power is facing yet another suspension after being sent off yet again, this time at Walsall, but Sunderland manager Ross was in no mood for hearing criticism of his Wigan loan star.

Power was sent off after just 23 minutes with Walsall going on to take a 2-0 lead, eventually drawing 2-2, but as Ross told the Sunderland Chronicle, he felt the decision was wrong.

“Any criticism of him is entirely unfair,” he raged. “In no way he should be criticised for that because it was the wrong decision. I have watched it and he doesn’t give the official a decision to make."

“I am fairly straight, I have been straight in (the dressing room). I communicate with the media as I do with them. If I thought he had done something here on the back of what has gone before then he’d deserve criticism but absolutely none should come his way."

Goals from Aiden McGeady and Lynden Gooch saved the day for the Black Cats, who remain second in the table, four points behind leaders Portsmouth.

The two teams attempt to get the edge over each other again this weekend, they face each other in the FA Cup second round at the same location, although Sunderland will clearly be without their loan midfielder.

The Verdict

Whilst Ross is angry with the decision, there has to be a question mark over Power right now. He will have spent more time suspended than available this season and that isn't fair on the players he replaces when he is in the squad.

Red card or not, he was sent off yet again and there has to be a degree of damage limitation for the Black Cats. They can't have this stigma following them around, nor can they keep battling back from a man down.

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