Jack Ross hails Sunderland character after bounce back victory

Posted Sunday, September 15, 2019 by PA

Jack Ross praised the way his Sunderland side bounced back to move up to fifth place in Sky Bet League One after a 3-1 win over Accrington Stanley.

The Black Cats lost 3-0 to Peterborough last time out, before the international break, but they were clinical at the Wham Stadium.

Stanley opened the scoring after seven minutes when Jordan Clark drove home.

Sunderland replied two minutes later through a Lynden Gooch volley.

It was 2-1 on 26 minutes when Aiden McGeady rifled home and, 10 minutes later, Marc McNulty stroked the ball into the back of an empty net.

“The one thing about this group is every time questions have been asked of us, we have responded,” said Ross.

“We worked hard in all areas of the game. We stressed we needed to be ruthless in the final third and we have showed it in training, we have very good forward players and we took it into the game today and they were quality goals.

“We have had to wait two weeks after the Peterborough defeat so to come back and produce that result is pleasing.

“The league table looks healthier for us but we have to stay grounded through good and the occasional bad results. Overall, it has been a good start to the season.”

Stanley manager John Coleman was furious with his side’s defending – they have conceded 15 goals so far this season.

“We beat ourselves,” said Coleman. “People will laud their clinical finishing and having good players but we have got to learn quickly as a team. We did not defend properly and quality players like they have will punish you.

“We had a great start and then went to sleep for the equaliser, we didn’t have time to enjoy our lead.

“Then they have scored two more without getting out of bed and until we improve defensively we are going to struggle.

“We conceded three at Bristol Rovers and three again today and we can’t keep doing that. The manner of the goals we are conceding is galling.”