SUNDERLAND manager Alex Neil is still looking for his first win in charge of the Black Cats but ahead of another crunch tie in League One, he is adamant one victory could be the turning point in their collapsing season. 

Neil's side climbed back in the League One play-offs thanks to their midweek draw with Burton Albion as Ross Stewart grabbed a late equaliser. However, the performance and result papered over the cracks with fans growing increasingly frustrated at how their season has unravelled since the turn of the year. 

This weekend, the task doesn't get any easier. They head to the DW Stadium to face second placed Wigan Athletic. 

The two teams faced each other on the opening day of the season with pundits and bookmakers predicting the pair to be right in the thick of the promotion race. The Black Cats ran out 2-1 winners on the day at the Stadium of Light. 

Fast forward to just over six months later and Sunderland are now clinging onto hopes of going up this season. Neil has a message of optimism for supporters who are hopeful their team can end a run of six games without a win. 

“All I can say is that I’m working as hard as I can" said the 40-year-old Scotsman.

“I’ve been here for just over a week. There are certain things that have naturally been brought to light and you can see where the issues lie. I’m not naïve to any means. 

“But equally, you were always going to go through tough periods in the season and, unfortunately for us, I’ve adopted a situation which hasn’t been going well and obviously we are trying to turn that around immediately. 

“What I will say is sometimes it takes one result and things can quickly shift in terms of the sentiment and the feeling. I’m talking more about the inside rather than the outside because the facts are with the fans the demands are there in terms of what they expect."

Asked whether the job has met his expectations, Neil responded: “It’s probably more challenging in terms of the young lads and seeing where they are physically and mentally and equally some of the older lads in terms of where they are physically. That has certainly made it more challenging."

Meanwhile, Nathan Broadhead has made a return to the Academy of Light to continue his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old striker has been out since December. He was injured in their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup.