Judge Jack on Black Cats’ results
Jack Ross begins life as Sunderland manager next Saturday with everyone on Wearside hoping he is the man to lead the revival.
The Black Cats open their League One campaign at home to Charlton after the misery of back-to-back relegations.
It has been a summer of change at the club, with Stewart Donald taking over from Ellis Short as owner, and Ross brought in from St Mirren.
He led the Paisley club to the Scottish Championship title last season and now he has taken up the challenge of trying to guide Sunderland back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Former captain Gary Bennett jokes “it can’t get any worse” than the last couple of seasons, but he knows the new man won’t just waltz to promotion.
“Jack is an upcoming manager, with lots of bright ideas,” he says. “He did a great job at St Mirren and was Manager of the Year in Scotland.
“But we live in a results-driven industry. Jack will be judged on winning games. If he doesn’t, his reputation will count for nothing.
“However, if the team starts winning, Jack will be everyone’s favourite.
“Sunderland is a great opportunity for any manager, when you look at the setup, the history, the supporters.
“Jack won’t have realised that until he got his feet under the table. But if he gets it right, this is a club with so much potential.
“Every game will be a big one. Sunderland will be the best attendance for most clubs and there’ll be a good atmosphere where they go.
“The players have to make sure they are ready to lay down a marker because this is not for the faint-hearted.”
Bennett was the skipper when Sunderland last played in the third tier in 1987/88. They won the title that season, so he is well placed to assess what’s needed.
“Denis Smith came in as manager and he knew the division and the players needed for that level,” he admits.
“We were disappointed to be at that level, but you have to deal with that quickly. We started winning games and that united everyone at the club.
“No matter what level you’re playing at, fans will follow you if you’re winning matches.”