Sunderland manager Jack Ross has admitted that he couldn’t fault his side’s “willingness” to win the game, after his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Wycombe Wanderers, reports the Sunderland Echo.

The Black Cats were looking to extend their winning run to nine games and could have gone top with a win against the struggling Chair Boys, with table-toppers Portsmouth not playing at the weekend due to international call-ups.

But despite their heavy pressure, Sunderland just couldn’t find a way to win the game at the Stadium of Light, and they now sit 2nd in the League One table, two points off Pompey.

After the game, Ross said: “There is an element of frustration for us, there was obviously that incentive for us today, that tangible reward and where a win would take you,”

"In terms of the how the game panned out, frustration with little bits of the performance but on the flip side, I don't think you can ask a group of players to show more willingness and desire to try and get something from the game”, he added.

Two points now separate the Black Cats from third-placed Barnsley, and Ross’ men will look to get back to winning ways against Walsall next weekend, to launch yet another assault on 1st place.

The Verdict

This is a fair comment by Ross, they responded well after going behind, and no-one can fault their determination to win the game after accruing a rate of 61% possession.

Sunderland fans shouldn’t worry, with Josh Maja getting back on the scoresheet, things can only get better for the North East club in front of goal.