DUNCAN WATMORE insists Sunderland’s dressing room is tight enough to turn the season around following a week when issues surrounding Aiden McGeady raised fears of fractures within the group.

McGeady was nowhere to be seen at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as the Black Cats’ winless run was extended to eight matches, leading to a drop to 12th to equal the worst league position ever occupied by the club.

The Irishman, who has been told to look for a new club ahead of the January transfer window, has been told he has no future under Phil Parkinson on Wearside, although the manager refused to divulge the exact reasons for his decision.

But the situation has led to claims of rifts and splits within the squad after words were exchanged between players during a difficult period, in which Parkinson has only overseen two wins from his 13 matches in charge.

Parkinson admitted the camp could be better having experienced tighter units during his promotion campaigns with Bolton, Bradford and Colchester, but Watmore is adamant they have the players and the togetherness to turn things around.

“We weren’t affected at all (by McGeady),” said Watmore. “We wanted the win, we all did, it is a good dressing room and we are focused on starting to win games and climb the table.

“I’ve seen a lot of good things at the football club. I’ve always had a positive outlook and I’ve always felt that it’s a really good group of lads.

“There’s room for positivity. You have to keep looking at the bigger picture. I still see a lot of positivity, it’s such a brilliant club with such a brilliant fanbase. The manager has been brilliant and it’s a good group of lads. I’m not just saying all of that, it’s true.

“I know that if we stay together and keep working hard, the results will come. I know they have to. I know it’s all well and good me saying this, the fans pay their money and they want to see it on the pitch. I understand that. Hopefully we showed a bit more today, and people will hopefully have seen we are working hard for the shirt.”

No matter how hard Sunderland are working, they need results to climb back into the promotion mix. Despite the side’s issues they are only four points shy of a play-off place, even though the target was automatic promotion this season.

DUNCAN WATMORE insists Sunderland’s dressing room is tight enough to turn the season around following a week when issues surrounding Aiden McGeady raised fears of fractures within the group.

McGeady was nowhere to be seen at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as the Black Cats’ winless run was extended to eight matches, leading to a drop to 12th to equal the worst league position ever occupied by the club.

The Irishman, who has been told to look for a new club ahead of the January transfer window, has been told he has no future under Phil Parkinson on Wearside, although the manager refused to divulge the exact reasons for his decision.

But the situation has led to claims of rifts and splits within the squad after words were exchanged between players during a difficult period, in which Parkinson has only overseen two wins from his 13 matches in charge.

Parkinson admitted the camp could be better having experienced tighter units during his promotion campaigns with Bolton, Bradford and Colchester, but Watmore is adamant they have the players and the togetherness to turn things around.

“We weren’t affected at all (by McGeady),” said Watmore. “We wanted the win, we all did, it is a good dressing room and we are focused on starting to win games and climb the table.

“I’ve seen a lot of good things at the football club. I’ve always had a positive outlook and I’ve always felt that it’s a really good group of lads.

“There’s room for positivity. You have to keep looking at the bigger picture. I still see a lot of positivity, it’s such a brilliant club with such a brilliant fanbase. The manager has been brilliant and it’s a good group of lads. I’m not just saying all of that, it’s true.

“I know that if we stay together and keep working hard, the results will come. I know they have to. I know it’s all well and good me saying this, the fans pay their money and they want to see it on the pitch. I understand that. Hopefully we showed a bit more today, and people will hopefully have seen we are working hard for the shirt.”

No matter how hard Sunderland are working, they need results to climb back into the promotion mix. Despite the side’s issues they are only four points shy of a play-off place, even though the target was automatic promotion this season.

Parkinson is looking to bring in around five new players in January so the chances are there will be plenty of activity in the window, but the squad has shown under Jack Ross that it isn’t too far away from being able to go up provided it can recapture that winning feeling to boost confidence.

“It’s a bad run, it’s not what we want, but if we go and win three, four on the bounce, everything changes,” said Watmore. “It’s easier said than done, I know that, but it’s on our hands to do that and if we start winning, that momentum and positivity will lift. I fully believe we can do that.  “Me being positive, I don’t want it to be misconstrued by fans as not caring. We’re fully aware that we’re not where we want to be. That’s stating the obvious and we all know that. But at the only way of moving forward is winning the next game, rather than feeling sorry about where we’re at.  “It’s hard to put your finger on why it hasn’t been going right. I’m fully focused on myself going into games, trying to get the best out of myself.  “I’m just enjoying playing, being able to be fit each game and to be able to put my name forward for selection. It’s just nice to be available. It’s a good group and we’ve just got to take it out into the pitch.”

Parkinson escaped the wrath of the fans against Blackpool because there was spirit shown in the team’s play, and they might have even won had George Dobson not been sent off for a second caution with 16 minutes remaining. By that time Charlie Wyke’s volley had cancelled out Matty Virtue-Thick’s early opener.

Sunderland now have to head into the visit of the manager’s former club Bolton on Boxing Day and Watmore is adamant there is no negativity towards the man in charge after he was appointed to replace Ross in October.

“The manager and his staff have been brilliant since he came in, they really have,” said the Sunderland forward. “We have to show them we are working hard for them because they are a good group of people. We want the points for them, for us and the for the fans.

“Every manager has their own style. I’ve enjoyed working with him and learning about my position, I like making those runs in behind but also getting in those little spots where I can get at defenders. I’m just trying to get the balance in my game. I’m working on that at the moment.”

Watmore was heartened by the response of the fans when Blackpool went ahead inside four minutes, which could easily have led to anger from the stands.  “As soon as they scored I heard them get behind us,” said Watmore. “That is a good feeling to get it here, we needed to keep them cheering after the runs of games we have had.  “That goal could have knocked them so credit to them for sticking with us. it was brilliant we got that response and we played better after that. We stayed calm, got back into it.

“I felt we could have snatched a winner, I felt like I was going to get something because there was space there to create a chance. Charlie has been brilliant, an important layer for us and for him to come in and score after a few weeks off is important. He is a great lad.

“The only way we can carry on is by putting in performances like this, with the effort desire and commitment.  “We are all on the same page, everyone really cares we really do. We need to keep showing that and the results will come. We need to keep performing for the manager because he is a good man and manager and we need to help this situation.”

Watmore was forced off with 18 minutes ago when he had sustained damage to his knee. After all of the issues he has had in that area over the years his heart was in his mouth.  He said: “I was pretty worried because I jammed my left knee, it didn’t feel right. I am bound to be a bit worried. The physio has done the test and it is all fine. I feel good and I will be aiming for the next game.”