Sunderland No 2 urges everyone to remember the bigger picture under Jack Ross

James Fowler, the Black Cats’ assistant manager, knows how important it is for victories to be delivered in the pursuit of promotion from League One, but thinks there should not be an over-reaction to Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with struggling Bolton.

Sunderland’s band of 4,000-plus travelling support at the University of Bolton Stadium let it be know what they thought of the performance and result against the Trotters over the course of the second half.

There were chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ after Ross’ decision to replace Chris Maguire, while there were sections of the away end who joined in with Bolton fans’ cheeky ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ jibe at the visiting boss.

Sunderland, who have a break from league duty at Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup tomorrow, have only still lost one of their matches so far, and sit three points of second and a further two shy of leaders Ipswich Town; that is not good enough in many supporters’ eyes, however.

“Of course he’s the right man to get the club upwards – that’s not in doubt,” said Fowler. “There’s no quick fix and look at other clubs who have been relegated, very few jump back up straight away and very few will have had to deal with what this club has been through and it takes time to change that culture. The manager is doing that, but it does change time.”

Ross has regularly argued that he has helped Sunderland through a horrible period of financial realignment following back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Championship. Still, though, many expect Sunderland to take command of League One this time around because of its size and last season’s failure to bounce straight back up.

“I've been there myself as a fan, you just expect to see things on a Saturday,” said Fowler. “Sometimes the manager's not going to blow his own trumpet in terms of what he's done here but I see how hard he works every day, the change in culture we had when we first came into the building. It's a massive change since then but that doesn't always instantly guarantee results.

“Sometimes it does take time to change that and it's a big word in football nowadays, 'culture', I suppose. We have seen that here and hopefully it reflects on the pitch that the players are giving their all whether they're having a good game or a bad game because Monday to Friday we see that and Saturday brings that extra tension. If they can get support from the staff and the fans it'll definitely help.”

Ross has also suggested in the past that Sunderland now have a squad of League One players so they should not be expected to take the division by storm. That said, there has been a lot of changes in personnel and Fowler claims that a lot has gone in to signing players who could handle the pressure of playing on Wearside.

“There's not many people in the building have experienced the sort of expectations we're under before,” said Fowler. “Aiden McGeady have been at other big clubs but apart from that a lot of the players we've singed have been from League One or bottom-end Championship. Coming to play at this club with the fanbase, there is a massive expectation and it's how people deal with that. It's not always easy.

“As a staff we deal with as best we can but once the players step over that white line it's a test of character for them. As a staff it's important we support them and we try to play with freedom and without tension but that's easier said than done because there is an expectation to win no matter who we're playing.

“For a lot of the players this will be the biggest club they've played for so that takes time to adjust. Most hopefully will, some might never but until players are in the building you never know how they're going to react to playing for a club of this size.

“You can do all the background checks and speak to people that have worked with them previously but until you're actually here and you're feeling the heat it's tough to tell how things will pan out.”

McGeady will sit out Sunderland’s trip to Sheffield United after his late penalty equaliser at Bolton. They will be without their most influential creative player, who will be rested for the game after three games in a week on his return from injury.

New signings Joel Lynch and Laurens de Bock are likely to start for the first time. “We will look at a couple of changes, with boys from the weekend still struggling and Liam still has a knock too so we will monitor that,’’ said Fowler.

“The squad is not massive at the minute, so boys that aren’t starting will be on the bench and maybe one or two of the Under-23s will be on the bench.

“Aiden will miss out – that’s a definite – and Jordan Willis is one we are keeping an eye on, so that means Lynch and De Bock have an opportunity to be involved. We are keen to get them involved and Wednesday can give us that chance.”

Fowler added: "If they can get support from the staff and the fans it'll definitely help.”

Ross has also suggested in the past that Sunderland now have a squad of League One players so it should not be taken for granted that they will take the division by storm. That said, there has been a lot of changes in personnel and Fowler claims a lot has gone in to signing players who could handle the pressure of playing on Wearside - even if there is always a gamble with any signing.

“There's not many people in the building have experienced the sort of expectations we're under before,” said Fowler. “Aiden McGeady have been at other big clubs but apart from that a lot of the players we've singed have been from League One or bottom-end Championship. Coming to play at this club with the fanbase, there is a massive expectation and it's how people deal with that. It's not always easy.

“As a staff we deal with as best we can but once the players step over that white line it's a test of character for them. As a staff it's important we support them and we try to play with freedom and without tension but that's easier said than done because there is an expectation to win no matter who we're playing.

“For a lot of the players this will be the biggest club they've played for so that takes time to adjust. Most hopefully will, some might never but until players are in the building you never know how they're going to react to playing for a club of this size.

“You can do all the background checks and speak to people that have worked with them previously but until you're actually here and you're feeling the heat it's tough to tell how things will pan out.”

McGeady will sit out Sunderland’s trip to Sheffield United after his late penalty equaliser at Bolton.  They will be without their most influential creative player, who will be rested for the game after three games in a week on his return from injury.

New signings Joel Lynch and Laurens de Bock are likely to start for the first time. “We will look at a couple of changes, with boys from the weekend still struggling and Liam still has a knock too so we will monitor that,’’ said Fowler.

 “The squad is not massive at the minute, so boys that aren’t starting will be on the bench and maybe one or two of the Under-23s will be on the bench.

“Aiden will miss out – that’s a definite – and Jordan Willis is one we are keeping an eye on, so that means Lynch and De Bock have an opportunity to be involved. We are keen to get them involved and Wednesday can give us that chance.”

Sheffield United have made a decent enough start to life in the Premier League after promotion from the second tier, and have shown how a club can turn itself around having been in Sunderland's position not too long ago.

"Mentality-wise there's a little bit of a shift because there is a bit of an expectation that Sheffield United win the game, as there was an expectation that Burnley will win the game because of where they were, in leagues apart," said Fowler.

“But I think as a player there is an expectation on them every week to win in this division so it definitely helps them. I've been there as a player myself and there is a bit less pressure, you do feel a little bit less tense and that sometimes translates onto the pitch as well. Hopefully we can go and put on a performance first and foremost and try to win the game as well."

The situation certainly helped in the previous round when Sunderland, albeit during a better run of form, went to Turf Moor and beat the Clarets.  He said: “It's down to how certain players can deal with that and it's up to us as a staff to support them and get the best performance out of them that we can."