Black Cats are beginning to purr at exactly the right time

SUNDERLAND head into their midweek clash against promotion rivals Portsmouth brimming with confidence.

Lee Johnson’s side have picked up an impressive 16 points from their last 18 available and have propelled themselves back into promotion contention.

The automatic places had looked like a step too far for the Black Cats, as they struggled to turn draws into wins over the festive period.

However, victories over struggling Swindon Town and Rochdale signified a huge shift in momentum at the Stadium of Light.

Earlier on in the season, the Black Cats struggled against the likes of Wigan Athletic, MK Dons and Mansfield Town on home soil.

It took Johnson weeks before he was able to get three points on Wearside, but he stuck to his guns and his philosophy, with results changing in their favour.

You may look at Dale’s position in the table and think yesterday was a game that Sunderland should be winning comfortably – which they did.

But, there have been too many times this season where the Black Cats have taken teams for granted on the back of a win.

Take their defeat at Shrewsbury Town for example.

There will no doubt have been some home truths in the dressing room following Sunderland’s defeat at the Montgomery Waters-meadow on February 9.

It felt like a turning point in the season with teams around them hitting form at the right time – Max Power’s post match interview signified that by saying “It’s now or never”.

Sunderland responded just four days later and their 4-1 drubbing of Doncaster was the catalyst in a remarkable shift in mentality.

Lee Johnson’s side have been ruthless in front of goal and an important fightback at Crewe epitomised their ‘never say die’ attitude.

There’s a real sense of collectiveness at the Stadium of Light and the Wearsiders are riding the crest of a wave as they approach landmark games in their season against Pompey and Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy final.

The Sunderland head coach must take a lot of plaudits for this recent run. The defeat at Shrewsbury brought the Black Cats crashing down to earth but since then, they’ve been professional and rarely put a foot wrong – the Crewe game being the only exception.

Johnson has tinkered with his philosophy and approach in games over the course of the past few weeks.

He’s rotated his squad ever so slightly and it’s paid dividends so far.

The Black Cats are purring at the right time and are hot on the heels of the early pace setters Lincoln City, who are have struggled in recent weeks.