Grayson: Result at Preston can kickstart our season
BOSS IS KEEN TO BUILD ON DRAW
SIMON Grayson believes the backbone Sunderland showed at Preston North End must be the turning point in their season.
The Wearsiders responded to their 5-2 humiliation at Ipswich Town with a much-improved performance at Grayson’s old club, but when Preston scored twice in as many minutes to cancel out George Honeyman’s opener and turn the game on its head Sunderland could easily have gone under.
Instead they hit back quickly to equalise through Aiden McGeady and looked the more likely victors in the final half-hour, albeit they had to settle for a point in the end.
Grayson says his side’s response demonstrated character and hopes that game will be viewed as a pivotal moment in Sunderland’s campaign.
He said: “Let’s hope we’ve turned the corner. Sometimes there are pivotal moments in a season.
“I think the performance reflected that in terms of, when we conceded two goals very quickly and found ourselves 2-1 down, we did not crumble, we got back into it quickly and after we equalised we were the dominant team and looked like the most likely winners.
“It was a good reflection of what we have in the dressing room.
“Some people might question the character of the players or their attitude sometimes but I see them every day and I know they are hurting with the results over the last few weeks.
“They have so much love for this football club and they are desperate to do well.
“Let’s hope when we look back at the end of the season we can say Preston was the turning point.”
If that is to be the turning point, Sunderland must follow up by finally earning their first home win of the season this weekend when Queens Park Rangers visit the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats’ winless streak on home soil covers five games on Grayson’s watch but extends all the way back to December last year Sunderland having now gone 16 games in all competitions without a win on Wearside.
Grayson added: “Somewhere along the line we have to get the monkey off our back, definitely, and why not this weekend?
“We need to build on the performance of the Preston game, when we played well, and we need to do that for 90 minutes.
“We need to do whatever is required to go on and win the game.”
This is the first of three home games this month for Sunderland, with Bolton Wanderers and Bristol City also due to visit.
Grayson insists his side must start to earn results at home, not only to climb the table but also to win over fans who have become drained by a combination of dire results and poor performances.
He said: “The supporters are vitally important because they are there through thick and thin and we have to give them something to cheer about.
“We have to be positive in our approach, we have to take the game to the opposition and make sure our fans are enjoying what we are doing – that is the bottom line.
“Winning football matches will make everybody a lot happier.”