Sunderland were not at their best in their win at Stoke - but Danny Batth insists there are no complaints from the Black Cats after a tough week on the road. The Wearsiders won 1-0 against the Potters on Saturday, with Ross Stewart scoring the only goal in injury time at the end of the first half.
Boss Alex Neil admitted his side looked 'leggy', particularly in the first half, but that was understandable given that essentially the same side had played for an hour with ten men at Sheffield United, one of the best sides in the division, less than 48 hours earlier. Sunderland dug in, however, and showed character to earn three valuable points.
"From our point of view we’ve played miles better and drawn games," said Batth, who made a winning return to the bet 365 Stadium having left Stoke in January. "I think the message is it's been a tough week for us, obviously down to ten men against Sheffield United and we've come to Stoke, didn't start well particularly, but we stayed in the game.
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"We have obviously got two players [strikers Stewart and Ellis Simms] that can damage teams at times so we felt that we were fortunate to go in ahead. What I will say about the group is that there is a real team spirit there and a togetherness.
"You see that with the lads coming off the bench, the injuries and the knocks. There were four or five lads out there on Saturday carrying knocks but they are doing everything they can for the badge and the team so that's imperative for the rest of the season.
"As a team we have to learn quick, we have a lot of young players and we've shown we can play much, much better than that. But you are never going to moan about taking three points at a place like Stoke."
While Sunderland's midweek game undoubtedly took its toll on their energy levels, Batth refused to use that as an excuse. He said: "You can never call it.
"There are so many different things at play but obviously we are travelling a long way, we have knocks and we have injuries. I'm not going to make excuses because Stoke will be the same, they've got injuries.
"We were fortunate to go ahead but we have got players who can damage teams. To go ahead and show the other side of it and keep our first clean sheet of the season is massive for us."
Sunderland were much-improved in the second period, restricting Stoke to just one clear-cut chance when sub Dwight Gayle got in behind Batth only to fluff his finish. Batth said: "There are moments that define games and there was a foul on me and it was Dwight Gayle, I think, who went through.
"There were numerous fouls like that throughout the game but that one wasn't given. You have to take the rough with the smooth and just try and react as best you can, so that’s where you go to war alongside your teammates."
After a fortnight of playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday, Sunderland now have a full week to prepare for this weekend's home game against Norwich City. Batth said: "We have a few days to recover now, learn from the game and regroup and go again.
"You have to make the most of those micro breaks you get and then get your foot on the pedal again Tuesday, Wednesday, so that's where we're at and we'll look forward to the next game."
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