BATTLING BLACK CATS HOLD ON AS BELLINGHAM MARCHES OFF

Marti men 'heading in right direction'

- David McIntyre

SUNDERLAND boss Regis Le Bris believes his side showed in their goalless draw at QPR that they have the battling qualities needed to sustain a promotion challenge.

The Championship leaders have been dominant so far this season but were below par at Loftus Road – and had to hold on after Jobe Bellingham was sent off early in the second half.

Frenchman Le Bris said: “We feel we can play better, but to be competitive in this league we have to face many games and a variety of styles of play.

“So we have to master all the phases of the game, and I think this was a good exercise for us because it was ten against 11 for 30 minutes, away, we did well.

“The players were OK. We have a core in the team who can manage many different situations.

“We weren’t able to play the game we wanted to play and we can have a bit of frustration, you want to play a specific way, but it’s another clean sheet. It’s another layer for the team.”