Fowler: Give Ross time to do his work

JAMES Fowler says those who criticise Sunderland manager Jack Ross sometimes overlook the bigger picture.

The away supporters turned on Ross during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers and, while the result was frustrating, his assistant Fowler wanted to put what his boss has done into context.

Fowler, who had always been scheduled to take the press conference to preview tonight’s League Cup trip to Sheffield United, said: “I see how hard the manager works every day and see the change behind the scenes at the club since he came in.

“People may easily forget the state of the club when we came in, so I see how hard he works on the training ground to make players better and you can see examples of that - Luke O’Nien is one example.

“George Dobson came in this summer and has taken his opportunity.

“We know we have to win games but it is important we all stick together and that will get us results.

“The manager’s record is good and it is about small margins in games – the 1-1 thing gets brought up a lot and teams will raise their game against us and we might have to do the same against a bigger club on Wednesday.”

He added: “The difference the manager has made behind the scenes, the changes he has made - I see how hard he works to make those changes.

“Of course he is the right man to take the club upwards.

“There is no quick fix and look at other clubs who have been relegated - very few jump back up straight away and very few will have had to deal with what this club has been through and it takes time to change that culture.

“The manager is doing that but it does take time.

“The criticism is part of football and there are expectations at a club like this to win games. “

Fowler went on: “When you watch Saturday’s game back in the cold light of day you can see the chances we created.

“The fans travel in numbers and create an atmosphere and players will raise their game – the first goal in games make a difference and we make attacking substitutions to try and win it, that has always been in the thought process of the manager.

“You can get frustrated if you are not winning and supporters are entitled to voice their opinions if it is not working out.”