Gary Rowell: Fan patience is at breaking point - Sunderland must beat Burton Albion

I am clinging to the belief that things can change quickly in football because I have got experience of being on poor runs, then a scrappy victory changes everything and suddenly there is light at the end of the tunnel.

However, the players have got to have the belief that they can make that happen, nobody will give them anything, Burton certainly won’t and if they continue to be lethargic and mentally fragile they will continue on this winless and uninspiring run.

I know some people are questioning the players and even whether they care and it is more than a reasonable question given the recent performances but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt for now.

I think it is more a case of their shocking lack of confidence and belief draining all of the energy out of them.

But for everyone’s sake, they have to change that because if ever there is a game where they need a vibrant, high tempo performance, it is tonight - the players must show the fans they want it as much as they do.

Burton will be tough opposition though, they have always been a thorn in our side over recent years, they confirmed Sunderland’s relegation from the Championship and manager Nigel Clough will relish a trip back to Wearside where he was born and where his father is still such an iconic figure.

Brian Clough is often referred to as the greatest manager England never had and Sunderland fans can make that claim too, as he was always linked with the Sunderland job and often quoted as saying he would love the opportunity to manage his old club.

Alas it never happened, just another ‘what if’ moment from Sunderland’s history and we can only wonder what might have been if the great Brian Clough had returned to Wearside.

However, that is all in the distant past.

Sunderland’s present manager and his team are rapidly getting to the stage were only a win tonight and plenty to follow can galvanise Sunderland’s season or not only will the top two be out of sight, even a play-off spot will be a struggle and that says it all.