SUNDERLAND manager Lee Johnson says there has been glimpses of quality from his side despite a recent run of poor form in the league.

The Black Cats have slipped down to sixth place in the League One table thanks to one win in their last five games. They haven’t won an away game in the league since 19th October.

This weekend sees Johnson’s side go in search of an away win when they go to Abbey Road to face Cambridge United. They will be looking to make ground on league leaders Rotherham United who sit five points ahead of them.

Johnson says there has been inquests behind the scenes into why they’ve been struggling on the road but there have been positives to take.

“All games have to be taken in context” said the Black Cats boss.

“We’ve discussed that we want to be better. We’re working to be better. I thought the Ipswich game was important for a different reason. Our distances from top to bottom were absolutely outstanding. Our resolute display was very good. We’ve come out winning the game against effectively the Galacticos of the division.

“Then moving into Tuesday, obviously a really good start and a good goal. Delighted for Pritch (Alex Pritchard) for that one. Then the sending off which everybody banks the three points don’t they. That was our issue probably on the pitch and in terms of the fanbase because that doesn’t happen like that.

“You cannot give the opposition anything and it’s a lesson learnt. It was a disappointing way to drop two points.

“In terms of the last four or five game form, we want to improve.

“We want to add to our games. It’s clear that we’ve had a lot of injuries which is disappointing for us, particularly in that full-back area. The full-back area is where to tend to get that penetration and that drive, particularly in the final third which I thought was fundamental to our form. For whatever reason, we haven’t had that.

“There has still been signs of quality in the quality that we’ve got and we’re very confident we can go into the next batch of games, pick up the points and steadily improve performances.”

Meanwhile, winger Aiden McGeady has been ruled out for 2-3 months.

The veteran winger injured his knee in the midweek draw against Shrewsbury Town.