The new signing in the stands and a worrying trend: Behind the scenes at Sunderland 2-2 Gillingham

We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the League One stalemate – from a new signing in the stands to a worrying trend: A RETURNING HERO At the end of a week which was notable for Sunderland welcoming some exciting new faces, there was an old one in the stands at the Stadium of Light. Academy graduate Micky Gray was back on familiar turf as he covered the game for Sky Sports. The former full-back was seen pre-match soaking up the Stadium of Light and taking selfies pitchside as he returned to his former club. Gray was trying to assemble a consortium to mount a takeover bid for the club last summer before Kyril Louis-Dreyfus agreed terms with Stewart Donald, and is now focusing on his media work. THE NEW SIGNING IN THE STANDS The signing of Jordan Jones on Friday evening certainly captured the imagination of the Sunderland faithful, but EFL deadlines meant the winger wasn’t able to play against the Gills. He was, however, in attendance on Wearside and took in the game from the stands. Jones also spoke at length with Kristjaan Speakman pre-match, with the duo chatting in front of the home dugout after what was likely a busy few days for the Sunderland sporting director. The Rangers loanee could be in-line for a debut at MK Dons on Tuesday evening. TWO MOMENTS OF QUALITY In a game that didn’t deliver much in terms of real quality, two of the best moments of the game came from Grant Leadbitter. The midfielder has established himself as a key player under Lee Johnson and put in another eye-catching performance against Gillingham – and delivered crucial moments at both ends. It was of course Leadbitter who netted Sunderland’s second of the afternoon as he reacted quickly to nod the ball over the line after Jack Bonham had pushed his penalty onto the post. But in the excitement of retaking the lead, it could have been easy to overlook the pass that led to the penalty. While it was ultimately Aiden McGeady who drew the foul to win the spot kick, it was a fine ball from Leadbitter which set him free. The midfielder executed a brilliant one-touch through ball to send the winger into the box, showcasing the precision and vision that can set him apart at this leve. Then at the other end, he managed to hook the ball away from John Akinde as he looked set to net for Gillingham. It looked to be the intervention that sealed Sunderland the three points, before that late Jordan Graham sucker-punch. But nonetheless it was a moment of class from Leadbitter, and similar such moments at both ends of the pitch could help Sunderland in those scrappy games that undoubtedly await between now and May. STEVE EVANS ON THE TOUCHLINE Ah, Steve Evans. While he sadly wasn’t wearing the Gillingham-branded blue and white mittens that caught the eye last season, he was as colourful a character as ever on the touchline. After emerging from the tunnel prior to the first half and having to be collared by a steward after heading towards the home dugout, it was actually a fairly subdued opening to the game by Evans’ standards. He was clearly unhappy with the decision to award Sunderland a late first half penalty – blasting the decision as ‘shocking’ in his post-match interview – but it was only really towards the latter stages of the game where tempers really started to fray on the touchline. After a series of decisions went against his side, Evans was asked to sit down by the officials amid some verbal jousting between the Gills’ bench and some of the Sunderland players on the field. He was ultimately left pleased though, and wasn’t shy in celebrating his side’s late leveller. THE LEFT-SIDED DILEMMA Johnson kept faith with Callum McFadzean at left-back for the game and it was notable – in the first-half in particular – that Gillingham were focusing a great number of their attacks down their right flank. McFadzean has at times looked shaky and this isn’t the first time we’ve seen teams try to focus their play down the left side and it appears it is starting to be perceived as a weakness in the Black Cats’ side. In Gillingham’s case, this may have been more to do with the fact that the lively and effective Graham was playing on the right in the opening half, but the left-back area is one in which we may see changes in during the coming weeks. With Jake Vokins now in the building, we may see McFadzean drop out the side – and it will be interesting to see if that causes a change in tact from opposition teams who were planning to target Sunderland’s left. A WORRYING TREND CONTINUES Victory over the Gills could have seen the Black Cats register three wins on the bounce in League One. That’s a feat they haven’t managed once during the current campaign. While Sunderland have had some promising spells in the season, they are yet to piece together three straight league victories during the campaign. That’s a worrying trend, and one which will need to be changed if Johnson’s side are to build the momentum that will be crucial to a promotion push. A message from the Football Clubs Editor: Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year. We’ve launched a new transfer window special offer for readers to get 20% off our subscription package. Use the promo code TRANSFER20 to sign up here. Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor