Now for the middle bit

DICK ADVOCAAT was pleased with the way his side started and finished the midweek cup exit to Manchester City. Now to improve the bit in between.

The Black Cats were blown away by the league leaders in Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup tie, as City raced in to a four-goal lead in the opening 36 minutes. However, the Sunderland boss was said to be pleased with his team’s opening exchanges and reaction in the second half, as the Wearsiders kept the score down, and registered themselves in the second period.

"Winning the second half" sounds a bit Sunday league, but it was an important step for Sunderland. To keep a rampant City at bay, and score themselves was an example that if Sunderland can sort their defensive frailties, they have what it takes to grind out results this season.

Now to see if they can perform for an entire 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

Leaking goals

STABILITY is key, and that’s the only thing that’s going to stop the floodgates from opening at the Stadium of Light. In eight games in all competitions, the Black Cats have fielded an unchanged back four just twice, which quite simply isn't going to turn the tide.

The defence will be lacking confidence, no doubts about it. But there is still remains of a back four that made 16 clean sheets in all competitions last season, of which a quarter were made in Advocaat’s time at the helm.

The last two of those four clean sheets, one of which earned in a hard-fought draw at Arsenal, contained a back line that the Black Cats still have at their disposal: Billy Jones, John O’Shea, Sebastian Coates and Patrick van Aanholt.

It’s clear that that back four can produce, as we saw last season. Perhaps it’s case a sticking by them, helping them re-find their form which will see Sunderland get back on track.

Advocaat’s confidence could prove reassuring

ADVOCAAT showed his commitment to the cause, claiming he still believes he is the man to take Sunderland forward in a pre-match press conference ahead of the game with City. That should prove reassuring to his players, many of whom have played under various managers in their time with the club.

The key to safety first and foremost is stability, and managers leaving at this stage of the season wouldn’t be seen as positive in any way. Advocaat still has very much a job to do at Sunderland, and now that he has stated he is going nowhere, he should now be allowed to get on with it.

What the manager must first do though, is store some belief back in to his players. Advocaat said yesterday that he has confidence in his squad, so now the question asked is what can he do to ensure that his side re-find the same form that steered them to safety in the league last season? A good result at Manchester United could be just the start.