Phil Parkinson has admitted his players must start showing more in the final third if they are to return to winning ways this weekend.
Sunderland welcome Blackpool to the Stadium of Light on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, for their final game before the Christmas period.
With no fixture next weekend due to Bury’s expulsion from League One, Saturday’s match leaves the Black Cats with just three games before the turn of the year.
Chasing three points after a frustrating run of three without a win, Parkinson has talked up the importance of producing of a strong attacking display against Simon Grayson’s promotion-chasing Blackpool if the Lads are to turn a corner in their season.
"The results haven't been good enough and we have got to accept that,” he said.
"It is up to myself, my staff, the players, to find a solution and we are working towards that.
“We need to find ways to make us more threatening. I think everyone knows that in recent games we haven't created enough.
"We need to find ways to sustain a performance through the 90 minutes. We need to get the balance in the team right to improve our goal threat. I think part of that is personnel and players coming back who will help us.
"We have got to find a way to be more threatening,” he continued.
"There is more to come from within the group. Charlie and McNulty were back last week and Goochie is back this week. We have got to do more and I am confident we can do more.
"We don't play the following week and this is a huge game for us going into the Christmas period.
"We have got to make sure the team we put out has enough threat in it to really get Blackpool on the back foot."
