Don Goodman: Sunderland can take positives from FA Cup exit
Don Goodman has highlighted the positives for Sunderland after their FA Cup exit on Saturday.
The Black Cats bowed out of the competition with a 2-1 defeat at home to Stoke City, which saw Harrison Jones make his first senior start.
While the tie presented a chance to further their momentum, Goodman, speaking exclusively to Mackem News, explained how it could be seen as a positive in regards to their hopes of promotion.
“Had they progressed, then it would have been about keeping that momentum going, wouldn’t it?” explained Goodman.
“Look, you spin every performance and every result and you try and find the positives in any situation. And the positive for Sunderland clearly is that they can solely be focused on promotion and on trying to get into the top two. And if not, in winning the playoffs – that’s the positive.
“But I’m pretty sure everybody would have preferred to have won the game and gone through to the fourth round. I think you deal with situations as they occur.
“So again, it would have been an opportunity. But you’ve got to focus on the positive angle. And that is the sole focus now will be on trying to finish in those top two positions.”
Sunderland can now focus on promotion to Premier League
Sunderland ultimately lost their unbeaten home run at the hands of the Potters, albeit that is still intact when it comes to league football, which is seemingly the bigger focus.
As it stands, the Black Cats sit just three points from the summit of the Championship heading into Friday’s (17 January) clash with Burnley.
If the Mackems can secure all three points at Turf Moor, the signs will become increasingly promising and with more incomings to be expected, Sunderland could be in for an excellent second half of the season.
In other Sunderland news, Goodman has urged the Black Cats to be careful over a transfer decision.
For more Sunderland news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.