Alex Neil says there has been a sea-change at Sunderland in the ten games since he took charge. Neil took charge on Wearside two months ago today, inheriting a side that sat fourth in the table but that was on the slide having won only one of its last seven outings, and that had lost three games on the spin.
But the Black Cats have arrested their decline and, while they currently sit sixth, they have lost only once since Neil arrived and are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run, with Saturday's 2-1 victory at play-off rivals Oxford United making it four wins in their last five matches. It has been a remarkable turnaround, but Neil knows there can be no let-up in the final five games of the season as they look to secure a play-off place and keep alive their chances of promotion.
Asked what Sunderland need to do in the remaining games, Neil said: "Exactly what we have been doing. "Show resilience, grit, quality, and variety in terms of all the players having to contribute.
READ MORE: Elliot Embleton sets run-in target for Sunderland as they close in on a play-off place
"If you'd seen where we were ten games ago to where we are now in terms of evolution of being hard to beat, having good structure, players understanding what their roles are and carrying them out, I think there has been a big difference in them in terms of their appetite. Not only that, in the belief that they can go and win the games."
And asked directly whether Sunderland have what it takes to win promotion via the play-offs, he smiled: "Of course we have! I'm not going to say no - I'd have 30,000 people with pitchforks hunting me down!"
Sunderland's improved form has given fresh hope to supporters who could see their team's promotion chances ebbing away in January and early February, after the Black Cats had gone into the New Year sitting on top of the table. And they celebrated wildly when Elliot Embleton scored the 89th minute winner at Oxford that kept them on course for a top six finish.
"They are desperate for the team to do well as much as the players are - if not more," said Neil. "There's so much riding on it for everybody at the club, and what we have to do is take that and process it in a manageable way that allows us to perform because sometimes being up for it too much can work against you."
Sunderland continue their push for the play-offs on Good Friday, when lower midtable Shrewsbury Town visit the Stadium of Light, before they travel to fourth-placed Plymouth on Easter Monday for another tough game against a play-off contender.
For the latest Sunderland news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
