Robbin Ruiter is keen to put Sunderland’s wrongs right this weekend when the Sky Bet Championship gets back underway.
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Simon Grayson’s side entertain Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, chasing their first win on home soil in the 2017-18 campaign.
A four-game unbeaten start in August paved the way for optimism to creep in but that was tamed following back-to-back league defeats against Leeds United and Barnsley at the end of the month.
However, speaking to safc.com ahead of Saturday’s match, stopper Ruiter, 30, admitted the hard graft is being put in to turn the situation around and rekindle Sunderland’s early season form.
“We aren’t in the position we want to be in,” he said.
“Our start was alright we didn’t lose until the Leeds game, we got through in the cup game so that was alright, but our last two league games weren’t great from our side.
“We let ourselves down, we let our fans down and I know we can play way better football than we did.
“It was good for all of us to have a couple of days off, to get our mind fresh again so we can prepare for the next game against Sheffield United.
“Now we have to show everyone we can play way better than what we have done in the last couple of games.
“Hopefully we can show them next Saturday and earn some points in the next couple of weeks,” he continued.
“It is a hell of a schedule. Normally in Holland we play Sunday, Sunday or Sunday, Saturday. The Championship is a busy competition but it is great to play games.
“It is quite heavy but everyone likes it and if you can start winning games then it will get better and better.”