Sunderland's Corry Evans is convinced youth can help them get the win they need

The Black Cats have suffered a loss of form in League One after losing three games in a row, the most recent loss coming on Tuesday night when they were on the receiving end of 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

They are now fifth in the table and six points behind league leaders Wigan Athletic.

Evans is an experienced head in the Football League and says other teams in the league may well have figured out how to play against them.

The Northern Irish midfielder said: “We are coming away from home and we need to stand up to the challenge. Teams are going to be physical and we have to stand up to it.

“We are conceding soft goals and need to address it and put a stop to it.

“The young lads who have been playing this year have done really well but they are still young and this is all part and parcel of learning in football.

“They will come through this period better players and grow in stature. 

“For myself personally at my age now, I have been there and you come across these periods in the season and it’s all about sticking together as a group.

“Obviously we are disappointed and we are down but we have to pick ourselves up, we have no other option, and we have to try and look at the longer target and address it.”

The Black Cats now have to wait until the 20th November to return to League One action where they’ll make the trip to Ipswich Town.

They’ve got Mansfield in the FA Cup this weekend before Bradford City in their final Papa John’s Trophy tie next Tuesday.

It presents an opportunity for them to get their season back on track and Evans admits a win could turn their fortunes around.

“Obviously football is very in the moment and can change very quickly” Evans added.

“We need to make sure it does change quickly for us and try to make that bit of luck, the bounce of the ball go our way.

“It just hasn’t really gone that way lately but we need to try our best to do that.”