If the new signing were supposed to inspire Sunderland to great things, then on the evidence of the performance against Ipswich Town, it didn't work.

Not that the new boys were to blame.

Ashley Fletcher, Ovie Ejaria and Lee Camp all made their debut in the 2-0 defeat to Mick McCarthy's men, as Chris Coleman made five changes to the side which lost at Birmingham.

Sunderland's Ashley Fletcher curls a shot just wide
Sunderland's Ashley Fletcher curls a shot just wide

And while all three had moments which impressed on the first outing in Sunderland colours, it was the familiar problems at the back which cost the Black Cats.

Ejaria provided energy in midfield and Fletcher looked dangerous up front, although both faded in the second period, while Kazenga LuaLua showed flashes of what he can do when he came off the bench in the second period.

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Sunderland 0-2 Ipswich Town

By that stage the game was pretty much up however, and while Camp will be disappointed to have conceded twice in his first game, it would be harsh to point a finger at the new keeper.

So much for the new boys then, but what about those we already know plenty about?

Here are James Hunter's ratings from the Stadium of Light . . .

Time Line

Sunderland 0-2 Ipswich - James Hunter's player ratings

  1. LEE CAMP 6

    One of three debutants, he could do little about the first goal although he might have done better with the cross that led to the second

  2. BILLY JONES 4

    A stand-in centre-back - and it showed. Turned far too easily by Garner for the opener

  3. JOHN O’SHEA 5

    Did his best to organise a throw-together back line, but Sunderland looked vulnerable whenever Ipswich came forward

  4. TY BROWNING 5

    Has to take his share of collective responsibility for a poor defensive display and he almost let in Waghorn for a third

  5. ADAM MATTHEWS 5

    Not a good day for him. Unlucky with the own-goal and later limped off

  6. LEE CATTERMOLE 5

    Another disappointing performance from a player who should be dominating games at Championship level

  7. ETHAN ROBSON 5

    Worked hard alongside Cattermole and made a couple of important challenges, but did not stand out from the crowd

  8. BRYAN OVIEDO 5

    Saw plenty of the ball and was an attacking threat in the first half, but in the second his crossing went to pieces

  9. JOEL ASORO 5

    Missed a sitter in the first half, and if Sunderland had taken the lead it might have been a different story

  10. OVIE EJARIA 6

    One of the few bright spots for Sunderland, the debutant looked lively in the first half before tiring in the second

  11. ASHLEY FLETCHER 6

    A promising showing from the new addition, who at least caused the Ipswich defence problems

  12. KAZENGA LUALUA 6

    For Asoro 58mins. This was his home debut and he brought a decent save out of Bialkowski with a long-range effort

  13. GEORGE HONEYMAN 6

    For Robson 58mins. Tried to unlock the Ipswich back line but could not find a way through

  14. AIDEN McGEADY 5

    For Matthews 70mins. Never really got into the game

    NOT USED: Ruiter, Maja, Gooch, Love

  15. IPSWICH TOWN

    Bialkowski 6, Spence 6, Carter-Vickers 6, Chambers 6, Knudsen 6, Connolly 6, Skuse 6 (Hyam 85, 6), Ward 7 (Gleeson 74, 6), Waghorn 7, Sears 6, Garner 7 (Webster 90+2, 6). Not used: Crowe, Iorfa, Celina, Carayol