Mac: Wear in top form but there is a long way to go
SUNDERLAND have won seven games from their last eight in League One, making them one of the in-form sides in the division.
However, Black Cats assistant Jamie McAllister says the Wearsiders still have a long way to go in the league.
They turned in another impressive performance at Accrington Stanley in midweek to leapfrog this weekend’s opponents Lincoln City and move into third place.
McAllister said: “It has been a great week. Three away wins and three big performances and three clean sheets.
“The old cliche is the next game is always the most important but we go from winning at Wembley in the cup final to Accrington - the stadium, the pitch and all that comes with it.
“They caused us problems and we had a meeting in the afternoon to refocus the lads and make sure they knew what was coming.
“We were ready for that and did not get too high. We have been really good at not getting too high.
“We have achieved nothing yet in the league and we have a lot of games to play.
“The next game is always the most important.”
The Black Cats have received their fair share of plaudits for their recent run of form but McAllister is determined to keep the players’ feet on the ground.
He added: “We have to take each game as it comes.
“You cannot get carried away. We have achieved nothing yet in the league.
“We are building momentum nicely and the lads are in a confident mood and good form.
“We have strength in depth in the squad as you have seen of late with the changes we are making.
“We managed to freshen up with four or five - a few of the lads who were cup-tied came in and did extremely well in midweek.
“We have real quality in the squad and that has shown.
“We have to keep out feet on the ground and keep chipping away.”
McAllister went on: “A winning mentality comes from confidence and winning games.
“That belief in what the gaffer and us as coaching staff are trying to do, the players have really bought into that and they have been excellent in matchdays and in training.
“It is a combination of things - the mindset and the psychology behind that. Being at a big club - expectation being big.
“We have won something - now the next challenge is to get into the top two and be promoted, whether that is through finishing in the top two or through the play-offs.”