Phil Parkinson has admitted his side must show more of a creative flare in the final third if they are to defeat Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday.
Sunderland welcome Micky Mellon’s side to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, kick-off 7:45pm, in search of three valuable points.
Successive league defeats have left the Black Cats two points adrift of the play-off places, but a win in Parkinson’s first home game as manager could see the Lads climb the table once more.
But in order to do so, the 51-year-old admitted after Saturday’s defeat at Wycombe that his side must use the ball better in the final third if they are to issue a response on Tuesday.
“There is an opportunity to get going again and not get too down about the defeat,” he said.
“It is important because we have an opportunity on Tuesday night to get three points on the board.
“We are pleased there is a game coming around straight away because whenever you lose you want to play again quickly.
“When you are winning you don’t mind having that clear week.”
He continued: “We were obviously disappointed to lose on Saturday, but I can’t fault the lads in terms of trying to do what we set out to do.
“We are disappointed to have given a cheap free-kick away and then not deal with it – that proved to be the deciding moment in the game.
“Did we make the most of the possession we had and show enough quality in the final third? Probably not because we didn’t create enough chances.
“We need to produce more and make the most of the possession we have.”