The higher the rating, the worse the player?

[D4N20]

I'm Sunderland and I'm about half-way through my first season (second attempt). I play a 4-1-2-2-1 with inside forwards and a poacher. I've found that when I play Johnson and Giaccherini they are getting ratings of 5.* every match. This was happening constantly and I didn't know what was going on. So I dropped them both and replaced them with mavrias and borini (both 1.5 star) on the wings. They both dominated, mavrias especially. I slowly tried to phase giacc back into the side due to recommendations by my staff and he persisted with his **** performances. I have noticed this with other players as well. It's confusing. I've blown all my budget on clyne and some other foreign centre back bloke whose name escapes me right now. Begins with M and I believe he was from villarreal. They are both unbelievably garbage and I've ended up reverting back to diakite and wesley brown.

I do realise this is all a bit of a ramble. I probably need some advice from anyone who is managing Sunderland with any hint of success? HELP!

Much appreciated.

 

[adkenna]

I'm a SAFC fan aswell, I've found Brown is the best right back and for some reason is no where near as injury prone as he is in real life, Diakite and O'shea are okay for the first season or 2, Johnson and Giacc although get low match rating usually have a good amoutn of assists, had them both 3 seasons now and both have had 10+ assists each season, Altidore seems to score more goals than Fletcher so used him ahead and midfield is terrible just like real life we have no quality there.

 

[TommyN.Ireland]

Seems to me you have to give players more time to blend in, especially new signings and even more so when they are young like the two you mentioned.