Michael Turner admitted a "kick up the backside" from Steve Bruce helped inspire a second-half comeback against Wigan.
Sunderland found themselves a goal down at the break, but an improved second-half performance resulted in a breakthrough when Kenwyne Jones scored his seventh goal of the season just after the hour.
After their half-time dressing-down, Turner says Sunderland are disappointed not to have gone on to win the game following the equaliser.
He explained: "The way we performed in the first half was disappointing, and we got a bit of a kick up the backside at half time and rightly so. The second half was much better.
"We could have won it. In the second half we created good chances and put lots of pressure on - we're disappointed not to have come away with a win."
Just before Jones' goal, Turner missed a golden chance to equalise when he measured a flicked header across goal and wide.
"I probably thought I'd scored before it came to me," he admitted.
"It was a bit too easy, I didn't get enough on it and I'm massively disappointed I didn't score.
"Fortunately Kenwyne came up with a great header to get us a draw in the end."
Now Sunderland prepare for a huge game at bottom club Portsmouth on Tuesday.
The Black Cats will be out for revenge following their recent 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Fratton Park and the squad know three points are imperative.
"They are all big games now," Turner said.
" Wigan was a big game and likewise on Tuesday. We have to prepare ourselves right and make sure we're ready."
- Watch the full interview with Michael Turner on SAFC TV now.