Patrick Roberts says Sunderand must not be 'disheartened' by the big decisions that went against them in their defeat at Blackburn Rovers. The Black Cats were on the wrong end of two controversial refereeing calls, with Jack Clarke denied a clear penalty in the first half before Rovers broke upfield to take the lead just 22 seconds later, and then the hosts scored a second goal just after half-time which replays showed should have been disallowed for offside.
That made the 2-0 reverse hard to take, but Roberts insists Sunderland must now put it out of their minds as they prepare for another tough test this weekend when Burnley visit the Stadium of Light. "It was difficult at times, especially where I was," said Roberts of the Blackburn defeat.
"I thought they had a game plan and the game plan was executed by themselves. We can be disheartened by the penalty and it was maybe offside for the second one but that's football and that's what we've seen this season.
READ MORE: Big decisions cost Sunderland dear at Blackburn including refusal to add a third striker
"That is how things go, you can't get too down about it and we go again. They are clear decisions which didn't go our way but we can't be too disheartened, it’s part and parcel of football and there was another 70-odd minutes to play [after the penalty incident].
"We turned up in the second half but we didn't do enough or create enough to score so it was a disappointing night."
Despite the result, Sunderland dominated possession at Ewood Park and put Blackburn on the backfoot for long spells but - with no fit centre-forwards - they were unable to create enough in front of goal. Sunderland had scored twice to come from behind at home to Wigan at the weekend, but they could not find the goal that would have got them back into the game against Rovers.
He said: "At the weekend we came back and scored two goals. That was obviously the idea again but we have to start these games I think a bit better and when it goes 1-0, don't let it become 2-0.
"I think we just have to be a bit better in areas and that will come and we'll work on that again. But to come here and pass the ball how we did and control the game, was a positive."
READ NEXT:
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray fears Aji Alese may need a scan after limping off at Blackburn
- Tony Mowbray refuses to blame referee Craig Pawson calls for Sunderland's defeat at Blackburn
- Sunderland player ratings as Corry Evans impresses despite defeat at Blackburn Rovers
- Sunderland fall victim to controversial refereeing calls as they slip to 2-0 defeat at Blackburn
- Kristjaan Speakman hails appointment of Sunderland academy boss Robin Nicholls
