LEE Johnson says he’ll continue to avoid unwanted distractions from social media and reports as his Sunderland players look to rediscover there early season form.

The Black Cats have lost their last three League One games and have slipped to a six point gap behind league leaders Wigan Athletic.

That’s despite an early season run of games that same them sit top of the pile in league win with a 100% home record, until Charlton Athletic beat them by a goal to nil last month.

The three game losing streak also saw dismal performances against Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday as they lost by heavy margins away from home.

The Black Cats boss isn’t naïve enough to think that media will be quiet on their run of form but while Johnson is well aware of the attention a big club like Sunderland receives, he doesn’t give much attention to what’s been said in the newspaper.

“I don’t look at it genuinely” said Johnson.

“That’s not disrespectful to the media or social media or to the fans. I don’t look at it because I want to be pure in my decision making as much as possible.

“The right process is to continue what we’re doing, fine tuning, honing and improving certain areas and getting players back to full fitness and our form will improve very quickly.”

Following his side’s draw with Bradford City in the Papa John’s Trophy, Johnson was then asked whether he would urge his players to do the same.

He responded: “I can’t control every minute of every day. The biggest thing, I think we discussed it after the last game is almost that toolbox. Can you have that toolbox and that mental agility to be able to cope with what’s thrown at you?

“There’s always going to be some point in the season where the love wasn’t quite in the room like it has been in the first six or seven games. We came into this season with people not expecting anything. Then we started really well and then maybe we believed our own hype a little bit.

“Then all of a sudden we slip and have this blip but I honestly believe it is a blip. I think that I’ve got full belief in the players and the project and the process that we’ll come out of it.

“We do need that little bit of luck or genius in terms of on the matchday and players to step up. What we can’t do is feel sorry for ourselves and be a victim. Because, like I said before, this club will swallow you up and spit you out because it’s such a big one but we knew that.

“We knew what we were entering when we signed for a big club like this. It’s been very enjoyable so far and I hope to find those little tweaks and improve the form very quickly.”

The international break may well have come at a good time for Sunderland as some of their heavy hitters look to get back to full fitness.

Top scorer Ross Stewart has been struggling with a shoulder problem and is due to have injections to ease the pain. Lynden Gooch made his return in the midweek draw over Bradford City as did Nathan Broadhead, who scored the equalising goal at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland’s next game is looking like a must win and it’s on the road against Ipswich Town on Saturday 20th November.