George Dobson says Sunderland must remain patient and show a never-say-die attitude to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Sunderland are seventh in the League One table with the season currently suspended due to the spread of coronavirus.
Falling just outside the play-offs after their most recent defeat to Bristol Rovers, Sunderland know if and when the season resumes they will have their work cut out in their final eight games if they are to rescue their season and clinch promotion to the Championship.
But Dobson believes that Sunderland’s remaining games give them a good opportunity to do exactly that.
He said: “We are disappointed with how the last games have gone, but we know we still have a good chance and we have to grasp that opportunity.
“We have got to have a never-say-die attitude and keep going. It doesn’t matter how long it takes we have just got to be patient.
“It shows the spirit we have got as a club and in the team and now we have to keep showing it.
“The games are starting to run out now so the pressure is on.
“It’s the business stage of the season and all we can do is remain calm and just take each day and game as it comes.
“If we win our remaining fixtures then we have a very good chance of getting to where we want to be.
“It’s not a case of looking at what other teams are doing. We can only win our games and see where it takes us.”
As things stand the season is suspended until April 30, with the EFL meeting regularly to discuss contingency plans given their desire to complete the season to maintain the integrity of the league.
But with no certainty over how soon the COVID-19 spread will slow, allowing games to resume, there has been talks of restarting the season on June 1 but behind closed doors.
However, down at steps five and six (Northern League division one and two here in the North East) The FA have instructed clubs that this season will not resume, and they are therefore deciding now the best conclusion to the season - be that voiding it altogether or taking league standings as are.
Given Sunderland’s current standings they’ll be hoping the EFL don’t take a similar stance.
