Bailey Wright insists there is no crisis of confidence at Sunderland despite the Black Cats' dismal form in 2022.
The Black Cats' weekend reverse at home to MK Dons made it four defeats in five games the Wearsiders, and they have won just one of their nine games since the turn of the year.
They went into 2022 as league leaders but have now slipped out of the play-off places.
READ MORE: Sunderland have gone from promotion favourites to play-off wannabes in 52 days
But Wright says the players have 'full belief' that they can turn around this run of form and make sure they do not miss out on a play-off place.
"When you win games naturally confidence comes," said the Australian defender.
"I think we are confident in terms of we know what we can do as a group, we have full belief that we will get results and can turn this bad run of form around.
"Of course a win helps confidence but I don't think we are unconfident at all.
"We had a good week's training and really the lads have worked hard, we have learnt what the manager wants from us and a lot of that we did well on Saturday.
"We need to make sure we keep a strong mentality and a focus to go and get ourselves out of this run that we are in, that we will do, and I think that's the most important."
Sunderland are still adjusting to life under new head coach Alex Neil, who replaced Lee Johnson following his sacking at the end of Janaury.
Neil's first game ended in a 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon, and his first home match in charge has now ended in defeat.
Wright said: "The new manager has obviously come in and brought his new ideas in, which have been good and the lads have responded well and everyone has enjoyed it.
"We are just disappointed that we couldn't go and get the win on Saturday.
"Things do change at a club but we're footballers, we've been in this situation before and for us there were a lot of positives this week.
"The one thing that wasn't positive was the result.
"I'm an emotional person and sometimes get frustrated when we don't win, reflect on it, but we have to clear our heads.
"I really think there was a lot of good on Saturday and a lot of good last week that got me excited from between now and the end of the season, because I really do think we can put a run together."
Sunderland twice conceded on the counter in the second half, with Mo Eisa putting MK Dons ahead just after half-time before ex-Sunderland man Connor came off the bench to score what turned out to be the winner 15 minutes from time.
In between those goals, Ross Stewart had levelled for the Black Cats on the hour.
"There is a lot of frustration," said Wright.
"In terms of performance I think there was a lot of good in our game which is positive but ultimately we look at the result and we've lost the game.
"In terms of our second half performance I think we showed that maybe on another day we go on and win that game.
"There were little things that cost us but there are a lot of positives in terms of we stuck to our game plan and certainly had them on the back foot before we got hit on the counter.
"There are things for us to learn on but we just want to win games of football and I'm sure we will."
Neil has said numerous times that Sunderland's young players are showing signs of fatigue, while other members of the squad he inherited are not match fit and therefore not ready to come into the side.
Wright said: "Inevitibly in a season, certainly in England, it's a physical, tough season mentally and physically.
"There are elements that do take their toll and sometimes when you haven't had these experiences before they can feel more tiring.
"I certainly feel the lads are getting fitter and stronger mentally and physically and are getting ready for what is ahead because there is a lot to look forward to.
"We have to make sure we enjoy that by winning games and putting in performances.
"We have a close group of good lads and good professionals that work really hard day in and day out.
"I know it's easy to criticise that when things aren't going right but I can hand on heart say that people are really working hard and want to put things right."
Sunderland have an opportunity to respond and deliver Alex Neil's first victory tomorrow night, when Burton Albion visit the Stadium of Light.
Wright said: "I think it [the defeat against MK Dons] has just made us more hungry to go out and play again Tuesday because we know that the belief is there to go and get a result.
"The belief was there on Saturday but we just got hit with two goals that cost us in the end.
"With the game coming quickly on Tuesday, it's an opportunity to go and put things right and it will be tough but the belief is there that we can go and do a job Tuesday and build from there."
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