Didier Ndong has challenged himself and his team-mates to chip in with more goals to ease the burden on Jermain Defoe.
With 14 goals in 25 top-flight appearances already this season, the 34-year-old is well on course to emulating his best ever season of 18 strikes which was recorded at Tottenham Hotspur in 2009/10.
While the England star struck 15 times last term, Defoe is just one goal off last season’s league tally as the Black Cats look to climb the Premier League.
But apart from Defoe, in the current squad, only Victor Anichebe has scored more than once for the Lads this season with Fabio Borini, Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong netting once.
And now the Gabon international has reiterated the manager’s message to be more ruthless in the final third, admitting the players and fans are in it together.
“There’s just a real collective effort now because we know what needs to be done,” he said.
“The manager has been trying a few things to try and get us working better tactically, with a back-three system and two wings backs for example – which has really suited us.
“We understand we have to change and that we can do better as a collective group.
“The manager has been great as well, making us believe what we are capable of on the pitch.
“I think we need to score more goals as a team and not just one man,” he continued.
“It needs to be collectively that we’re adding goals.
“So we have to believe in ourselves that we can do it and help the team.”