Jack Ross can see a clear progression in Sunderland's pre-season performances, but that hasn’t stopped him demanding even more from his squad.
The boss praised his players following their performance at Grimsby Town, as Lynden Gooch’s diving header secured a first win of pre-season.
It was without a doubt the best showing from the boys so far, with an inexperienced backline clinching a clean sheet as the front three showed their attacking teeth.
And Ross believes his players will only get better as time progresses.
“I’m really pleased for the players,” said the boss after overseeing his first win.
“We need to develop a winning mentality and get used to winning games, as well as enjoying them, so I’m pleased they got that reward.”
He continued: “What they’ve given me in training has been terrific, as has their response to what we’ve asked them to do.
“In each game we’ve played we’ve got better, but I keep saying it, there's still loads of things we need to get better at.
“The players will also get a greater understanding of how I want them to play, but they’re getting there, and I think we deserved to win the game.
“If we can keep improving our performance levels in these games, then it’s probably been perfect in terms of what you want from pre-season.”