Sunderland are seven points adrift of Portsmouth at the top of the League One table right now.
Sunderland have certainly arrested the slide after two successive relegations.
But Jack Ross’s side have won just six of their 12 League One games so far and are seven points adrift of current leaders Portsmouth at the top of the table. So there is certainly room for improvement if they want to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Sunderland have drawn five games so far and right-back Adam Matthews has acknowledged, in comments reported by the Chronicle, that they must start winning tight games if they are serious about promotion.
“Obviously we would have liked a bit more than what we have, but the performances in those draws give us encouragement,” the former Celtic man told the Chronicle.
“If we can tighten it up at the back we’re always going to score goals with the players we’ve got so hopefully we can go on a run.”
“We’ve given away a couple of sloppy goals so if we can tighten that up I’m sure we can go on a very, very long run and win loads of games.”
This, however, is easier said than done. With 24 to their name, only Peterborough United and Barnsley have scored more in League One this season. But Sunderland’s penchant of conceding silly goals at the other end will continue to hamper their progress unless Ross can plug the gaps in defence.
But, as Matthews says, Sunderland are yet to hit their best form this season. An ominous message for their promotion rivals.
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