Lee Johnson has this candid verdict on Sunderland's 3-0 win at AFC Wimbledon
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The Sunderland head coach nevertheless conceded that his team have to improve in possession, after being left frustrated with elements of their first-half performance at Plough Lane.
It was a tight contest for the most part; Sunderland taking an early lead before AFC Wimbledon began to offer a threat on the counter.
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Hide AdThe game continued in that vein until Charlie Wyke doubled his tally as the contest entered the last minutes.
From their the contest opened up and Wyke added his third in stoppage time, with substitute Jack Diamond twice going close as the Black Cats forged numerous openings on the break.
Johnson praised the home side for their role in frustrating the Black Cats through much of the game, and was left satisfied with a 'solid win'.
"It was a solid performance," Johnson said.
"It definitely wasn't one of real guile and silk. We didn't really get our passing patterns going and I think you have to give credit to Wimbledon for that, they went man for man and shut us down at every opportunity.
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Hide Ad"I felt that in the first half we didn't show a top attitude and I was a little bit frustrated, I don't like it when you see some dissent from players, either to each other or to themselves.
"However, we came in with a lead having looked very solid as a defensive unit and then in the second half, it was always going to be edgy until we scored a second goal.
"We did that, and then it became apparent that we were the better side and we'd earned the right by defending well and using our substitutes to give us the ability to counter and counter well.
"I was happy with the solidness and the attitude of the second half, and there's areas for us to work on for sure."
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Hide AdThe win was a timely one for the Black Cats, who had been left frustrated with three consecutive draws in league action.
Johnson says the club's COVID-19 outbreak has been a factor in that recent form, and while he wants to see improvements from his team, he is hopeful that they can now begin to build some momentum.
"To be honest, I don't think you can judge on us a couple of those draws," he said.
"I think the Northampton game, to have eight starters who had tested positive for COVID-19, and then obviously the one before that was the Wimbledon game.
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Hide Ad"I'm not moaning about it and I do think that will pan out for all clubs between now and the end of the season.
"I'm just saying, let's get through that spell, and build that momentum and build our performances," he added.
"The good thing is at this level, when you've got the clean sheets, you can get those scrappy wins.
"It wasn't in the end, but I know we've got more ability than we showed today.
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Hide Ad"I think we were a bit emotional and didn't execute to the level we can, we can be better on the ball."