Boss Simon happy to see show of character

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson was pleased to see his team show their character against a side with a good home record.

“I’m disappointed but pleased with some elements,” he said after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Hull, who.had scored 10 goals in their previous three home Championship games.

“Based on the first 45, 60 minutes where we were very comfortable, created some good chances, got the goal, played very well.

“We didn’t have too many chances against us.

“You know that they’re going to come out and put you under pressure.

“To withstand it as we did was pleasing because you see the spirit and the character.

“For all the pressure, the equaliser was a deflected goal, so I’m pleased but also disappointed because if we got the second goal we could have won the game.”

Tigers boss Leonid Slutsky said David Meyler (pictured) ‘changed the game’ at the KCOM Stadium.

Sunderland’s improved first-half display was rewarded by James Vaughan’s goal, but Slutsky’s change to a back four, which saw the introduction of Spanish midfielder Jon Toral as well as Meyler, was crucial.

The Russian said: “David Meyler missed four months, he played in national team and each match was between two and three days and he is really not ready to play all games.

“We are waiting for him to reach optimum fitness and now it would be difficult for him to play each match.

“In one week no problem, but three days very difficult, that’s why he played only 45 minutes and he changed the game.

“We played two different halves. The first half was terrible, the second half was much better.

“I’m sorry for the first half, but in the second half, anybody who sat in the stands would be satisfied by our second half.

“Believe me, everybody tried 100 per cent to succeed.

“We can play better and better.

“We are working very hard to try to change the situation.”