LEE CATTERMOLE thinks Sunderland’s fans deserve enormous credit for attempting to stay united and behind the team during such depressing times – and he would love to put on a show for them at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

There has been a lift on the training ground this week after the dramatic draw at Bristol City last Saturday when the Black Cats came from three goals down to earn a point.

While the result did little to improve the position in the Championship’s relegation zone, the stirring fightback has given everyone a boost when at half-time and three goals down there was a down-and-out feeling.

Now the challenge facing Sunderland’s players is to make the most of the knock-on effects of such a performance by delivering on home soil when Brentford travel to Wearside tomorrow.

Cattermole, who has been criticised at times by sections of support, knows the fare served up for the Sunderland faithful has not been good enough for a number of months – and has acknowledged the fact they still turn up in their thousands.

The midfielder said: “The fans were mega at Bristol and if we can now deliver them performances at home and do it a bit more regularly, that’s the challenge ahead. The fans will come back and the ones who have stayed have been amazing. The whole time I’ve been at the club they’ve been brilliant.

“They’ve had spells where they’ve put a lot of pressure on managers who probably haven’t deserved it, and probably expected a lot more but I think they’ve levelled out and I think a lot of them realise the position we’re in, which is good because you should realise the club’s made some mistakes as well.

“But we’re all going to pull together, stick at it and really just try to get over this season and get through it.

“From now on we need to believe in what we’re doing and trust each other to go and put teams on the back foot instead of us taking a step backwards. Once we do get on the front foot the fans come with us straight away.”

Brentford will travel to the North-East without a win in three matches, and they are expected to have Chris Mepham and Ryan Woods available after they restarted training this week.

Manager Chris Coleman is considering his options in terms of his starting line-up and has admitted that scrapping a system with three centre-backs is on the cards after a changing to a four man defence brought rewards at Ashton Gate.

What that means for forward Joel Asoro is unclear. The teenager’s battling performances have earned him a spot in the starting line-up but he did most of his damage when he was switched out wide against Bristol City.

Cattermole said: “He played at home through the middle against Hull and caused havoc, and on Saturday he hadn’t really shown until he did what he did from a wide position.

“It’s difficult for the manager to then work out what’s his best position. That’s all the stuff we’re trying to work out - where’s best to put people to get the best out of them.

“Joel’s different class. He’s got that pass to beat a man in the final third and I think that’s what really changed it for us. We got crosses in the box in the second half.”

Asoro’s displays have contributed to the fact Ireland international Aiden McGeady has found himself on the bench. Yet the former Everton winger came off the bench as a replacement for George Honeyman to help the spirited fightback last weekend, so is pressing for a start.

Cattermole said: “Aiden will be the first to say he hasn’t contributed as much as he would have liked since joining.

“At the start of the season he was scoring goals and he hasn’t played as much of late but he’s still got a lot to offer for us. I’m sure he’s going to have a big finish to the season as well.

“For me George was different class. For 70 minutes he was on it and I thought he was our best player but he got taken off.

“The gaffer could have taken anyone off at that stage. But as a group the impact the subs can have is massive for us. Kazenga LuaLua came on and he’s done great when he’s come on, so he’s knocking on the door as well. That competition is healthy, that’s what we want.”