Darron Gibson believes defensively solidarity provides the perfect platform to build from.
Sunderland have collected three clean sheets in five matches under new boss Chris Coleman, a trait the Republic of Ireland midfield is keen to continue.
With a morale boosting point at Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves earlier this month, the Black Cats followed that up with another clean sheet as they overcame Fulham at the Stadium of Light last Saturday.
And while Gibson has praised the value of three points over the Cottagers, the midfielder has insisted being defensively sound provides the perfect platform to kick on.
“It was well deserved, but we have waited a long time for it,” he said.
“I did an interview last week and I said we needed to build on our performance from last week, I thought it was a great result at Wolves and I think we kicked on a little bit.
“When you are at the bottom of the league it is tough. You need the whole squad together.
“People coming off the bench, obviously there are going to be people unhappy that they aren’t playing, but when they come on we need them,” he continued.
“We are going to need them in the games coming up because we have got a busy schedule.
“We capitalised on last weekend and we performed again defensively. They had a lot of possession, but we were comfortable defensively.
“It might not have looked comfortable, but it felt comfortable on the pitch.
“The lads have really pulled together in the last four or five games and hopefully we can keep winning.”