Jack Ross has been delighted by the response his players have issued since suffering penalty pain in the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley.
Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light tomorrow night against Burton Albion for the first of three home matches in what is more than likely to be a defining period in the club’s League One season.
Level on points with second-place Barnsley after back-to-back wins on the road at Accrington Stanley and Rochdale, the Black Cats are now well placed to move into the automatic promotion places with two games in hand.
Speaking to the media at today’s press conference, Ross admitted his players are in a good frame of mind after answering all the questions that came their way following the Wembley defeat.
"For us it is more significant for my players,” he said.
“To ask them to put so much into those two games post-Wembley and produce a performance level to then draw level with second place is exciting for them.
"It just heightens the importance of tomorrow evening.
“When you reach a position where the rewards of winning games are obvious in terms of where it takes you in the table then it becomes even more real.
He continued: "The players are in a good place and on the back of the two away games we have had since the cup final, that has only increased as well."
