JACK ROSS wants his Sunderland players to be recognised for their achievements this season. The manager has spoken recently about his frustration that high expectations surrounding the club often means their efforts are viewed as underwhelming.

The Black Cats drew 0-0 at Barnsley on Tuesday, a positive result in the promotion race with ten games remaining.

Ross wasn’t left disappointed by the outcome and, ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Walsall, admitted: “We are still in a good position to do what we want this season.

“We travelled to a team who are doing well and we took a point from a really tough one. I’m a bit surprised at the negativity at times when we took a point from a good side.

“They stopped us scoring and that’s the first time we’ve not scored this season – and yet it hasn’t been mentioned much until we failed to score, sometimes a reflection of how things are looked at here.

“To score in so many consecutive league games takes hard work, ability and endeavour and the players have showed that loads of times. They failed to score against a team with outstanding home form, and kept a clean sheet. I was proud of them.

“There has to be a realism about all you say and do. You cannot defend players and the team if the facts aren’t there to back it up. Players deserve more credit at times than they get.

“They have not lost a game since December and lost only two games this season.’’