COOL CATTS
Midfield ace Lee gets ball rolling
SUNDERLAND are just two points off the top two after a performance that boss Jack Ross put up with their best of the season.
Lee Cattermole and George Honeyman (right) ruined Plymouth’s long trip north as the Black Cats let Barnsley know they are right on their tails.
Ross said: “Was that the best we’ve played? Possibly. Although there have been lots of other occasions too.
“You don’t get to where we are without being good in games, the record over the season, statistically has been terrific.
“There have been patches we have played like that.
“But in terms of sustained pressure like that, we were very good.
“A lot of the things today, particularly in that first half, were what we work on.
“As a manager, you don’t often get those days when it all comes together as complete as that, aside from maybe scoring more goals.
“I have been pleased with us for five or six games, and our performance level has been good. We always believe we will create opportunities, and it was a satisfying afternoon for us.”
Plymouth felt they had a penalty shout at 1-0 down, but often struggled against a side boss Derek Adams believes belong away from the third tier. Adams said: “Collectively, we didn’t play well enough in the first half, but the second half was a lot better and we should have had a penalty for handball which, at 1-0, could have been crucial. “We looked like we were scared, to be honest.”