We deserve more credit for record, Ross insists

JACK Ross believes Sunderland deserve more credit for suffering only a solitary defeat as they near the midway point of the League One season.

Yesterday’s 2-1 win was the Black Cats’ 20th league game of the campaign and their only defeat came and 12 games ago at Burton in mid-september.

Sunderland had to come from behind to preserve that record, recovering after falling behind to Alex Rodman’s early strike with goals from Adam Matthews and Josh Maja.

“I think sometimes they don’t get enough credit for getting to this stage of the season having only been beaten once in the league, which is a very good record,” said Ross.

“I’ve mentioned many times that this group is still a work in process – not to look for excuses, because we are halfway through a league season, but from where the club has come from and how the squad has been put together.

“There is a steeliness, a resilience, about them, and we’ve seen it time after time and they showed it again today.”

Sunderland’s defending left much to be desired early on but Ross paid tribute to his side for steadying the ship and turning the game back in their favour.

He said: “I’ve seen us play worse this season and I’ve seen us play better, but given the conditions were not easy – and the circumstances of falling behind in the game, which was the first time I have really sensed a feeling of apprehension in the ground, for the players it was a test.

“But we have come too far in too short a space of time to let that get to us.

“It was good that they came through that period, got their reward before half-time, and then in the second half they regenerated that positive feeling inside the ground.”

Maja had a chance to level at 1-1 in the first half but dragged his shot across goal from a tight angle. But the teenager made no mistake in the second half as he notched his 13th goal of the season.

Ross said: “We forget that he is only 19 years old so his form is going to be up and down at times, but he created an opportunity for himself in the first half and the only surprise was that it didn’t go in because when he is in that position he usually finishes.

“But in the second half when he got another opportunity, most people in the stadium thought he would take it and that’s testament to his ability.”