IF the sign of a good manager is that he improves the players under his care, then when it comes to Charlie Wyke’s situation at Sunderland, Lee Johnson must be a combination of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho rolled in to one.

In the 15 league matches he played prior to Johnson’s appointment at the start of December, Wyke scored five goals. In the 15 league matches since Johnson replaced Phil Parkinson, he has claimed 14.

From a ratio of one goal every three matches to just a smidgen under a goal every game. Clearly, there are multiple factors at play, from the confidence of being established as Sunderland’s number one striker to the improved performances produced by the other attacking players around him.

When it comes to Johnson’s attempts to improve Wyke’s goalscoring output though, whatever the Sunderland head coach is doing is clearly working. More than any other factor, maintaining Wyke’s current hot streak could hold the key to ensuring the Black Cats end the season with a place in the Championship.

“First of all, it’s not me, it’s Charlie himself,” said Johnson. “I can guide and help and give advice, but he’s got to take that in and implement that. Psychologically has been one aspect that he’s massively improved, and we’ve given him a few tools to get a few gremlins out of his head, which was needed.

“We’ve talked about the science and the data, and the fact that it’s a numbers game. We’ve pointed out where he needs to be more often. And then I also think it’s the cohesion of knowing when the ball is coming in because if you make your run at the wrong time, it doesn’t bear fruit. But if you make your run at the right time and get across the man, it’s different and he’s done that extremely well."

Wyke's recent success has tended to come via the aerial route, with the Teessider profiting from the excellent delivery of both Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire.

“I don’t know how many headers he’s scored, it’s an unbelievable amount really, and it’s almost like he’s a magnet in the box," continued Johnson. "That’s a little bit down to confidence, and a little bit down to the fluidity of his movement and the fact he’s visualising things well. It’s also down to the fact that we’ve got very good wide-men who give him good service and good delivery.

“It’s not just that part of his play though, I think his hold-up play has been very good as well and we’ve been able to give him a few tips and techniques on the back of that. Again, he’s worked on it and he’s implementing it in games. Massive credit has to go to Charlie for that.”

With Will Grigg and Danny Graham having left in January, and Ross Stewart still not match fit following his arrival from Ross County, Wyke’s superb recent run could not have come at a better moment. There are multiple factors that have to come together to result in a successful promotion push, but having a striker that can approach the 30-goal mark for the season is clearly a massive help.

“The conversion rate is definitely very important,” agreed Johnson. “I think any team needs a proven goalscorer, or to be able to develop a proven goalscorer. Down at Bristol, I must have had four or five forwards that ended up getting 20 goals for the season.

“I think the way we want the team to play suits the strikers. If you’re the number nine for our team and you’re half decent, I think you will score goals because of the way we play. We can’t be over-reliant on Charlie, everybody’s got to chip in, but it’s putting away those important ones that really count as we saw in the week.”