Denver Hume was hooked at half-time after struggling in Sunderland’s draw at Ipswich Town, but Jack Ross believes it is the youngsters reaction to it that will define him.
The Black Cats endured a miserable opening 45 minutes at Portman Road and were lucky to trail by only a single goal at the break, with Luke Garbutt having given the Tractor Boys the lead.
Academy graduate Hume, who was making only the seventh league of his fledgling career, began at left wingback and had a torrid time, on the back of a poor opening day performance against Oxford United last weekend.
Ross substituted him at the break against Ipswich, and that decision - along with a change of shape to a back four - helped Sunderland gain a foothold in the game, with Conor McLaughlin shifting across to fill the gap.
Ross said of his decision to substitute Hume: “It was tough, I can’t hide from that because I took him off and it was purely tactical.
“He’s a young man and young players have good days and bad days.
“It’s a difficult place to come and they played with intensity and tempo in the first half.
“He’ll be better for it in the long run and he needs to be because you have to show the resilience when you have a difficult afternoon and that’s what defines you.”
Lynden Gooch salvaged a draw for Sunderland, scoring just after the hour.
