Tony Mowbray took heart from the way Sunderland reacted in the face of adversity at Swansea. Unfortunately, by the time they got going it was too late.
They were already 2-0 down at the Swansea.com Stadium and, without a centre-forward to call upon, the chances of them retrieving - never mind overhauling - that deficit were negligible. Mowbray was right to praise his team for the way they set about their task in the second half, as they showed a renewed vigour and sense of purpose.
And with Jack Clarke switched from the left flank to a central role, they offered more of a threat after Alex Pritchard and Elliot Embleton had toiled in vain up front in the first period. Clarke gave Sunderland some hope when he pulled one back soon after the break, with his strike ending his side's goal drought five minutes short of the four-hour mark.
