Sunderland remain unbeaten in the league but yet again had to come from behind to salvage a point after drawing 1 – 1 with Fleetwood at the SOL on Saturday. Another slow start from the lads saw the visitors race into an early lead through Paddy Madden but we eventually drew level through Josh Maja. Fleetwood missed an early second half penalty after Jon McLaughlin became the first Sunderland goal keeper to save a penalty at the SOL but despite this Sunderland couldn’t capitalise and press for a winner after another disappointing performance.
Jack Ross had this to say afterwards: "I don't think we started the game poorly today, that's important. People will focus on it, but I think we started it well. More concerning for me is that we've only conceded one goal from open play in the league. There's a penalty and a direct free-kick in there which skews it of course but if we defend set pieces better, then we'll win some of these games and improve results again. We need to get better at that, and I think generally we need to get better at the messy side of the game. By that I mean everybody, players, staff and myself. We do work on it and we'll keep doing it until we get better at that. That way we'll keep clean sheets, and we're scoring in every game.”
“I think both teams could have won it," Ross added. "I've no issue with Joey saying his team could have won it because they missed a penalty, but my team hit the post, their keeper pulled off a couple of very good saves. It was a good, competitive game, but both teams could have won it. I think Fleetwood will stay in the upper echelons of the table, they're a good team and they made it difficult for us today. To remain undefeated at this stage of the season, given that we've played some tough teams, is pleasing for us. We have to be careful that we don't think we a have a divine right to be at the top of the table, we have to rebuild and we're coming up against teams that are not only competitive but good teams, with good individual players. I'm happy with where we're at, I'd like to have won every game, there's things we can get better at, but given everything that's happened it has been a solid, not spectacular start. I think we'll get better."
