Jack Ross has admitted tonight’s Leasing.com Trophy tie at home to Grimsby Town will be used in the right way.
Finalists in the competition last season, Sunderland will be hoping to get off to a winning start when the Mariners visit the Stadium of Light this evening, kick-off 7:45pm.
However, defeat on Saturday at Lincoln City has left Ross with plenty to ponder as he looks to shuffle his pack.
Open and honest in his approach to tonight’s game, the Scot has admitted the league remains the priority, but tonight’s game allows the chance to begin putting things right after the weekend’s disappointment.
“The competition on Tuesday has far less significance than our league campaign,” he said.
“It’s a game which means we can give the players some minutes but it’s separate from Saturday and what follows after.
“We will use the game in the right way, but my thoughts are obviously dominated about why we were so poor on Saturday.
“It was a reflection on me and my team,” he continued.
“I’m not going to pass the blame onto my players – they can answer the questions themselves.
“For me as manager I was behind Saturday’s result, so I have to take responsibility for it.
“Generally speaking, it was so far away from what I’ve produced in my management career.
“The performance on Saturday was collectively so far away from where we need to be.”
