No divine right to be top of table, insists boss

JACK Ross insists Sunderland do not have a “divine right” to be at the top of League One.

The Black Cats boss was responding to a question asking whether he was disappointed his side were only fourth in the table after seven games.

Sunderland are still unbeaten and, while their 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town on Wearside means they are within two points of the automatic promotion places, Ross describes his side’s starts as “solid, if not spectacular”.

“To remain undefeated at this stage of the season, when we’ve had some tough games against good sides, is very pleasing for us,” said Ross.

“I think there are five teams who are still unbeaten, so each of them have made a very, very good start.

“We have to be careful we don’t think we have a divine right to be at the top of the table just because we, as a football club, are an incredibly big football club to be in this league.

“We are in it, we are trying to rebuild, and we are coming up against opponents on a weekly basis who are not only making things competitive, but they are good teams with good individual players.

“I’m happy with where we are, I’d have liked to have won every game obviously, there are things we need to get better at, and we need to strengthen the things we are good at.

“I think it’s been a solid start – not spectacular, but solid – and I believe we’ll get better as the season goes on.”

Sunderland had to fight back after falling behind, with Paddy Madden giving Fleetwood the lead inside 10 minutes before Josh Maja levelled shortly before half-time.

And Jon McLaughlin saved Madden’s penalty early in the second period to help his side earn a draw.

Aside from the penalty, both sides had chances to win the game but neither could find a deciding goal.

Ross said: “I thought both teams could have won it.

“I don’t have an issue with Joey [Barton, Fleetwood’s manager] saying his team could have won it because they missed a penalty, but my team hit the post and a couple of times their keeper pulled off very, very good saves in that period.

“I thought it was a good, competitive, game and I think if you’re entirely fair then both teams could put forward a case to say they should have won the game.”