Consistency will be the key for us, claims Ross

JACK Ross says Sunderland’s winning streak has turned a ‘solid’ start into a platform which has put them within reach of the League One summit,

Their 3-0 victory over Southend United at the Stadium of Light was the Black Cats’ fourth league win on the spin - their best run since they won four in a row in April-May 2014 under Gus Poyet - and their fifth in all competitions.

Wwhile they remain third in the table, a point outside the promotion places, they have a game in hand of Peterborough and Portsmouth above them - and if they were to convert that into a win it would see them setting the pace at the top.

Ross said: “We recognise it was important we started to win games on the bounce, and it has turned a good, solid, start to the season into a better one.

“We are still not where we want to be in terms of the league and we have to keep churning these wins out - but we have given ourselves a platform and the players deserve credit for that.

“It is about consistency. The players will probably tell you I bore them with the same words because it is habits, standards, demands, being relentless, and doing the same things time after time whether that is on the training pitch or in games.

“It is not easy to do, but that is why it is only the best teams who win leagues or promotions.

“We have a squad of players who understand how important it is and you just have to keep driving them on to do it.”

Sunderland have scored in every league game this season but struggled to keep clean sheets early on.

However, this was their third successive shutout with goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin again making two fine saves.

Ross added: “I expect him to do that. I know it sounds a little bit blase but that is why I brought him to the club.

“To have success as a team you need a good goalkeeper, one who will make big saves, and Jon certainly does that.

“He is also at an age where I think he will keep getting better and keep improving with us.

“The most pleasing thing is he is starting to get these tangible rewards in terms of clean sheets as well.”