Scowen: Solid defensive display a positive for Sunderland

Josh Scowen says Sunderl a n d c a n ta ke h ea r t f ro m their solid defensive display at Northampton – but knows improvements need to come at the other end of the pitch.

The Black Cats were held to a frustrating goalless draw on their return to League One action, in what was a game of few clear-cut chances.

For while Lee Burge was rarely troubled, Sunderland did little to trouble home stopper Jonathan Mitchell – as they were forced to settle for a point for the fifth time in their last eight third tier outings.

AndwhileScowenwaskeen to take the positives from a solid defensive display against a direct side, he acknowledges that there is work to be done in the final third.

"It is disappointing but I think defensively we were solid and that's a positive to take away from the game,” he said.

"But I think we could have done better in the final third and that's something we can improve on within the next ten days. I can't remember Burgey making a save. We were solid today and that's a positive, but it's the other end that let us down.

"Obviously it's down to the gaffer but I'm guessing we'll work on attacking phases this weekandhopefullyimproveon that in the weeks to come.”

Scowen was something of a surprise inclusion in the side at the PTS Academy Stadium, having initially been set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a suspected fracture.

But after further investigation revealed that the problem was not as serious as first feared, the midfielder was able to return to the fold – with Scowen thankful to head coach Lee Johnson for showing faith in him despite the injury concerns.

"I was lucky that my leg wasn't fractured in the end,” he explained. "I have no idea what it was! I trained all last week and I felt good, so the gaffer has had the faith to put me straight back in, which is good.

"It helps my confidence knowing the gaffer believes in me, and hopefully I can repay him on the pitch.”

*Sunderland’s dressing room are keeping their focus on the pitch – and aren’t talking about the impending change in the club’s ownership.

While the ownership change has been the talk of the terraces, Scowen insists it hasn’t been the hot topic of conversation.

"To be honest, it's not something we talk about,” he said.

"We just want to get on the pitch and do what we're here to do. We try to stay out of all the background scenes.”