Jack Ross pleased with the result after Sunderland beat Bristol Rovers

Posted Sunday, December 16, 2018 by PA

Sunderland manager Jack Ross was delighted to see his players cope with awful playing conditions to secure three points against Bristol Rovers.

The Black Cats came from behind to win 2-1 against a Rovers team under the caretaker charge of Graham Coughlan after the departure of Darrell Clarke on Thursday.

Coughlan’s players battled away to cause the promotion contenders problems at the Stadium of Light.

But Sunderland overturned Alex Rodman’s 11th-minute opener to earn three points courtesy of goals from Adam Matthews and Josh Maja either side of the break in freezing conditions, wind and rain, lifting Sunderland to within five points of leaders Portsmouth with two games in hand.

“We knew what kind of day it would be, difficult conditions, but the result superseded everything,” said Ross. “We deserved the result, we had to show the character by coming from behind again. It was a day when the result was of ultimate importance.

“It was a peculiar start, disappointing result through the week against Walsall, so we freshened the team up and wanted to put it right.

“I was reasonably pleased with the start, frustrating to concede. I am pleased the lads got the break before half-time. It was a good reward for them and it changed the mood slightly.

“Josh had looked sharp, I thought he might (score) on a couple of occasions. Although this was not a perfect performance, there were still good things and it is a day at this time of the year when we have to grind out the result.

“We have faced different challenges. We have had to use our squad. We have asked players to take responsibility.”

Rovers are looking for a new manager after losing five games in a row to keep them in the relegation zone.

Coughlan did not reveal whether he wanted the job, but did describe how hard it was after a long trek up to the north east following Clarke’s exit.

He said: “I am here to talk about the game, talk about the last 24 hours, what goes on will be down to the powers that be. I will go home and after that what will be, will be.

“To come to Sunderland and get beat is not going to determine where we finish at the end of the season. The games coming up are the ones that will dictate where we will end up at the end of the season.

“I had a number of players out there that enjoyed the fight, the battle, and that is right up my street, that’s a chip off the old block.

“The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind, if it wasn’t for the football I wouldn’t even know it was a Saturday. I’ll just have to see if I will be here next Saturday.”