IF Dick Advocaat needed a crash course on why Sunderland are fighting for survival then this was the perfect lesson.

The Black Cats defended well, watched chances go begging in front of goal and suffered more injustice at the hands of the officials. Same problems, different manager.

Their performance against West Ham United will offer some encouragement to supporters that Premier League survival can be achieved, but in reality points are all that matter at this stage of the season.

There were plenty of positives to take from a defeat which was sealed by Diafra Sakho’s 88th minute strike despite a foul on Seb Larsson in the build up, but they will count for nothing if Sunderland do not claim the points they so badly need to climb away from danger.

Advocaat had only a matter of days to stamp his authority on the squad before the trip to the Boleyn Ground, but judging by their display the Dutchman has already abandoned certain characteristics that frustrated under Gus Poyet.

Laboured passing from back to front was replaced by a more direct style and the Wearsiders had a clear plan on how to exploit the Hammers’ weaknesses and play to their strengths.

They created more chances in the first half than they did in the weeks leading up to Poyet’s dismissal, but the problem was finding someone to convert them.

Advocaat started Jermain Defoe, Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham in a front three, but the trio have eight goals between them this season and that is something the Dutchman will have to work on during the international break.

They responded to last week’s calamitous defending against Aston Villa with an assured display even though they were forced into an early change when Wes Brown limped off in the 12th minute, while they also had cause to feel hard done by in the lead up to West Ham’s winner.

One thing a new manager always needs is time, but in this instance Advocaat has a matter of weeks to turn things around. The Dutchman clearly isn’t worried about taking a gamble or two either and that was evident when he introduced Adam Johnson in the 73rd minute after his suspension was lifted following his arrest earlier this month.

The head coach now has the luxury of a two-week break to work with his squad ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby on April 5, but Defoe is confident the Black Cats will avoid relegation if they can repeat Saturday’s performance over the next eight games.

“We deserved something from the game and we are disappointed,” the striker admitted.

“It’s the first game under a new manager and I thought there were a lot of positives.

“We approached the game knowing we could win. We’ve got the players and the team has a lot of experience.

“We’ve got to move on and keep going, but we can take plenty of positives from the game.

“If we continue to play like that we will be fine.”

As early as the eighth minute Sunderland could have been ahead when a Jordi Gomez found Defoe on the right channel with a pinpoint long ball.

The striker looked up and sent a cross into Wickham at the back post, but his powerful volley was forced away by Adrian.

The strikers combined again in the 16th minute when Wickham flicked on Larsson’s ball to send Defoe through, but he blasted the shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

“As a forward when you’re waiting for a chance and it comes you have to take it,” Defoe said.

“I had a good one in the first half but I changed my mind when the ball dropped.

“I’ve watched it back. My first intention was to chip the keeper because he was off his line, but I changed my mind at the last second.”

West Ham had chances, too. In identical opportunities Sakho headed wide from Aaron Cresswell crosses and Alex Song forced a finger-tip save from Costel Pantilimon.

With little to separate the sides it looked as though the game would fizzle out for a draw, but the ball broke for the Hammers striker to fire home with two minutes remaining.

Advocaat was infuriated that referee Lee Mason had failed to give a foul against Nene after he barged Larsson over, but despite the fact his first game ended in defeat Defoe is confident Advocaat is the right man to guide them to safety.

He said: “His experience speaks for itself. All the lads know what he’s about and he’s made it very clear since he came in what he expects from us.

“He has made it clear that if we are not willing to work for the team and get the fans back on our side then we won’t play.

“It’s important we have a manager like that. If you look at the top managers in the world, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho. They are no-nonsense and they’re winners and he’s no different.

“He is the kind of character we need.”