After a lacklustre display, Lynden Gooch admits Sunderland have to produce an emphatic response when they travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Black Cats failed to get going at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day and they paid the price, as Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United strolled to a 3-0 win.
Gooch admits Sunderland simply weren’t good enough and demanded a response when they travel to the City Ground this weekend, as Chris Coleman’s men face the first of two games in three days.
“After three games unbeaten it was poor,” said Gooch.
“I don’t know why we were just very poor and we’re very disappointed.”
He continued: “In the second half we came out and had our best spell of the game and put them under pressure, but they scored the second and that killed us.
“We have to move on quickly and prepare for another one on Saturday, but we have to learn from today and go back to what we were doing previously.
“We have to respond.”
