Danny Batth says Sunderland's FA Cup tie against Fulham has shown the Black Cats the levels they must reach if they are to make it to the Premier League. Sunderland went out of the cup at the fourth round stage against the London side - who finished top of the Championship last season - after losing Wednesday's replay 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, with the teams having fought out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in the initial tie.
Ultimately, Fulham's quality shone through but Sunderland did enough over the two games to show they can carve out chances and score goals against top flight opposition and Sunderland can take confidence from that as they continue their challenge for a Championship play-off place when Reading visit Wearside this weekend. "I think the higher level you want to play at the more all-round the players are, they are physical, they handle the ball and run all day," Batth said of Fulham.
"That’s the standard you have to get to if you want to play in the Premier League. Our team, we have players who are very technical, we have a good blend of power and pace as well but we are developing all the time and I think you saw over the two games there's a confidence and belief in the group and that's only a good thing."
READ MORE: Sunderland went toe-to-toe with Premier League Fulham and can hold their heads high
Sunderland conceded an early goal in the replay and then fell two goals down on the hour, but Jack Clarke pulled one back before Fulham added a third goal, and Jewison Bennette then scored to make it 3-2 and give the Black Cats hope. Batth said: "Epic is probably a good word [to describe the tie]. It felt like we were always in the game.
"I think we started slowly and then we kind of fixed that a little bit with the press. I felt like they were coming through us too easily to start with.
"Once we did that, you have to let a team like that know you've got a threat and I felt we did that. On another night, who knows?
"We had some good chances and obviously they are a good team, move the ball well, but I felt we caused them problems as well with the ball at times. Obviously with our midfield and the players we bring on it always poses a different threat and I think we've just got to keep being positive until the end of the season doing that and playing on the front foot.
"The fans love to see it and we’ll just see where it takes us. When you are playing at home in front of these fans it's a great opportunity.
"Every game is an opportunity for us and I think that's the way the lads see it as well. We just have to keep doing that and as long as the fans know we are emptying the tank every week, twice a week whatever it is, I think they will stick with us.
"The result could have gone the other way tonight but the main thing is Fulham knew they were in a game and congratulations to them, and I hope they win the next game and progress."
Sunderland have no time to relax with Reading next up at the Stadium of Light tomorrow afternoon. And the busy schedule continues with a trip to QPR on Tuesday followed by a home game against Bristol City next Saturday, then a midweek visit to Rotherham and then another away game at Coventry City the following Saturday.
Batth said: "For me personally I prefer playing games than training. I think the players will be the same as well so we won't do too much on our legs now, it will be recovery until the weekend.
"I don't think Fulham would have been too happy coming up here on a Wednesday night but it was a good exercise for us and we can take a lot from the game."
READ NEXT:
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- Tony Mowbray on Sunderland's promotion ambitions, and the success of their recruitment department
- Fulham boss Marco Silva's reaction to what Sunderland did is perfect lift for Black Cats
- Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts, and Amad impress in Sunderland's FA Cup defeat against Fulham
- Sunderland bow out of FA Cup after thrilling fourth round replay against Fulham on Wearside
