Jack Ross is expecting nothing less than a reaction from his players this weekend when Bristol Rovers come to town.
Sunderland return to their Sky Bet League One campaign on Saturday after being knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup to Walsall in midweek.
Losing only their third match of the season, and their first in 17 games, Ross’ side are now tasked with issuing a response as they look to keep the heat on pacesetters Portsmouth.
However, as things stand, the Lads are seven points off the summit, with a trip to Pompey next on the agenda for Ross’ side following the conclusion of Saturday’s match.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, Ross refused to look too far ahead but admitted a response is essential against The Pirates at the Stadium of Light.
“I would imagine that the challenge we’ll face on Saturday will be equally as tough as it’s been in every home game,” he said.
“But for us, on the back of one of our most disappointing performances of the season, it’s nice to be at home again.
“With the crowd that will be in attendance and with that different atmosphere.
“We’ve not really had to bounce back very often this season because of how the season has went, but when we’ve had to, we’ve done it well.
“So, I would expect the same again from the players, that faith and trust in them hasn’t diminished in any respect from the other night.
“You can’t get too high with the highs and too low with the lows,” he continued.
“If you can have that mentality across the playing side of your club, it does stand you in good stead because very, very few teams will ever go a whole season undefeated.
“You only have to look at the course of British football to see how often that has happened through a season and that’s including some very, very good teams that haven’t managed to do that.
“So, I think It’s about maintaining a consistency in behaviour and an emotional reaction when you win and equally, ensuring you don’t become too despondent when you lose a game because as I said earlier, that’s not happened often to us this season.”
