Jack Clarke says Sunderland must build on the positivity surrounding their return to the Championship after kicking-off their campaign with a hard-fought draw on Wearside. Clarke scored the Black Cats' only goal in a 1-1 draw against Coventry City at the weekend, as Sunderland produced a promising performance in their first game back in the second tier.
The summer addition from Spurs headed his side in front inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour and Sunderland came within six minutes of holding out for all three points before Viktor Gyokeres salvaged a draw for the Sky Blues with a classy individual effort. "I thought we did well in spells," said Clarke, who was on loan at Sunderland in the second half of last season and helped the club earn promotion via the play-offs.
"I thought we created chances, we had good moments with the ball, and we defended quite well in parts. But in this league and at this level, all it takes from them is one moment and the game turns on its head.
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"In all, I think we did well for our first game back in the Championship - obviously, we wanted all three points but we'll take a point in the end.
Of his goal, he added: "It felt good to get off the mark. I feel that I need to add more goals and assists to my game. I managed to get a goal on Sunday and hopefully I can build on that, and as a team hopefully we can build on the point and take it into next weekend."
Sunderland's goal came after good work from Lynden Gooch down the right as he beat his man and floated in a cross, where Clarke headed past goalkeeper Simon Moore who had come off his line but found himself stranded in no-man's land. It was reward for Clarke taking up a position at the far post, which he says boss Alex Neil and his coaching staff have been urging him to do.
He said: "I think they all want that from me, to be honest! They've been nagging all through pre-season about getting in at the back post, and thankfully I managed to stick one away.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to see the result out, but it is what it is."
More than 40,000 fans were at the Stadium of Light to see Sunderland's return to the Championship, and Clarke says the supporters will have an important part to play this season. "It was nice - we've missed them during pre-season, not being able to play in front of our home crowd," he said.
"We enjoyed having them here on Sunday. They were different class again, and we'll need them all season."
Sunderland's first away day in the Championship comes this weekend when they head to Bristol City, with the Robins having conceded an injury-time goal to end up losing 2-1 at Hull City on the opening day.
Clarke said: "It will be another tough test, another different type of test. We'll rest, we'll recover, and hopefully the boys are in good spirits to go again next weekend."
READ NEXT:
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- Coventry City boss Mark Robins insists Sky Blues deserved 'at least a point' against Sunderland
- Alex Neil on the difficulties of meeting Premier League expectations on a budget at Sunderland
- Sunderland 1-1 Coventry player ratings as Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson impress on opening day
- Sunderland 1-1 Coventry report as Jack Clarke's opener is cancelled out by Viktor Gyokores strike
