Sunderland boss Ross hails Power

Posted Sunday, September 29, 2019 by PA

Jack Ross piled the praise on Max Power after the midfielder set Sunderland on their way victory at the Stadium of Light.

Power’s 25th minute strike – from 25 yards- gave the Black Cats an advantage over MK Dons.

He latched onto a lay-off from Charlie Wyke to drill his side in front, the blast giving keeper Lee Nicholls no chance as he fizzed across and beyond him.

“Max has the ability and attributes to do that and works hard to do that,’’ Ross said. “We make sure we have him high up the park to affect the game in those areas and he’s frustrated he didn’t score more.

“I’m delighted for him because to add that to his game is why we were so keen to get him to the club.’’

Power’s goal was followed minutes later by a neat finish from fellow midfielder Luke O’Nien, who lifted his finish over Nicholls and in off the post. He was twice denied by post and keeper in the minutes leading up to his goal.

Victory put the Black Cats into fifth in the table, and comes a week after Ross was hounded by supporters during a deflating 1-1 draw at Bolton.

The manager added: “I’m very pleased to win the game and was very pleased with large parts of it. We have created a lot of chances in recent matches and we need to be more ruthless.

“Winning here is the be all and end all and I’ve learned that in my 16 months at the club.

“Now we have a free week this week which we look forward to.’’

The Black Cats were solid at the back with new recruits Joel Lynch and Laurens De Bock impressing.

Ross said: “The pair, I spoke on Wednesday and said that that have had no pre-season so to get them one in our work isn’t easy and you have to throw them in at some point and they stayed in on merit.

“It’s a big ask but they came through it and gave us a really good balance. We defended really well overall, their goal aside which was pretty soft, but we defended well overall.’’

The visitors got one back through a scrappy George Williams finish and Dons’ chief Paul Tisdale, who oversaw a third defeat in a row, said: “We are pleased with the performance overall, we are playing well and I’ve seen us be strong in every game.

“The game changers is what we haven’t got. We weren’t bad in the first 15 minutes and then they score a goal and to concede another straight away is a real blow.

“As a group we have to be wise in those moments and I question if we were.

“The game from then on is an uphill task and, while we did respond, we paid the price for what went on before.’’