Jack Ross has admitted that although he is content with the way that his Sunderland side have started the 2019/20 campaign, he will be able to make a better judgement once the club has played ten league games.

After kicking off the year with back-to-back 1-1 draws against Oxford United and Ipswich Town, the Black Cats then secured five consecutive victories in all competitions.

Given just how impressive they were during their Carabao Cup win over Premier League side Burnley, it came as somewhat of a shock when they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Peterborough United before the international break.

Undeterred by this setback, Sunderland managed to get back on track last Saturday against Accrington Stanley.

Despite falling behind at the Crown Ground, goals from Lynden Gooch, Aiden McGeady and Marc McNulty secured all three points for the Black Cats in what was their seventh league game of the season.

As a result of this victory, Ross' side moved up to fifth in the League One standings.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo about the club's campaign to date, the 43-year-old said: "I think it won't be until after ten games that it really starts to settle.

"By the end of September, we will start to see a bit of shape to it.

"We are pleased with where we are, even if we would like to be in an even better position."

Ross later added: "Every time we've lost a game in the last season and a bit, we've responded in the right way.

"I say often enough how I have to remain grounded through the good results and the occasional bad one.

"But the truth is we've made a good start and we're in a good position in the league."

Sunderland will be looking to make it back-to-back victories in the third-tier when they host Rotherham United at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

The Verdict

Although the Black Cats have yet to fully click into gear this season, the fact that they are still within touching distance of League One leaders Coventry City is nevertheless extremely promising for Ross' side.

Having narrowly missed out on a return to the Championship earlier this year, Sunderland will be hoping to secure automatic promotion next May.

In order to have the best chance to achieve this particular goal, the Black Cats will have to ensure that their form doesn't drop off over the coming months.