Phil Smith's verdict: How Lee Johnson managed another night that underlined his biggest Sunderland challenge

In the long term, he has ambitious plans to transform the club's culture and footballing operation, to establish it at the very least as an upwardly mobile Championship club.

To get there, he needs to navigate League One and these contests, where the opposition sits deep to frustrate and where too often, the Black Cats have laboured in response.

This game wasn't supposed to pan out quite like that.

Even if Ipswich Town's record of late is desperately poor, and the pressure on Paul Lambert clearly rising, there had been little between the two when they met in November.

Ipswich boast talented players and it was not for nothing that Phil Parkinson said after that game two months ago that they have the best technical midfield in the third tier.

This was set to be a tense, even contest and that Johnson reverted to 4-3-3 to bolster his midfield reflected that.

Kayden Jackson's early red card changed the contest and from there, it was fascinating to watch the Black Cats try and go about managing an advantageous situation, but one that has not always suited them.

Johnson immediately changed shape, a proactive and positive move, moving Aiden O'Brien infield and Carl Winchester out to the right flank in a 4-4-2.

In truth, the Black Cats struggled to adjust and it was Ipswich who responded to the changed circumstances the better.

Sunderland never stretched or isolated an immensely experienced but ageing pair of full-backs, too often playing loose balls into central areas. Ipswich's midfield was much the better, powerful and winning the majority of challenges even if there was little chance to break from there.

The shortcomings were familiar, too many low-percentage passes fired into touch in conditions that suited more patient, controlled display.

Johnson said that he was eager to get to half-time to settle his group, whose play had been 'too emotional'.

This has been a oft-repeated refrain in the early weeks of his tenure, when too often the play has been frantic. It's understandable, when a side is chasing promotion under pressure and when they are attempting to pivot to a philosophy that demands a willingness to take risks and make quick decisions in possession.

The opening goal came as something of a surprise given the pattern of play before, but it was a brave, inventive goal still lifting the spirits over 12 hours on.

Carl Winchester had a difficult half after moving into that unfamiliar right-wing role, summed up best when he took a yellow card for a late challenge after his own loose pass had gifted away possession in a dangerous area.

His instinctive backheel opened up the pitch, though, and Aiden O'Brien's encouraging form was summed up by the good positioning and composure to then find Max Power on the overlap.

From there was the speed which Johnson is craving, an excellent first-time cross into the POMO met superbly by Charlie Wyke.

The half-time changes were pro-active, Winchester able to bow out on a high after that role in the opening goal.

"The booking was a big part of it," Johnson explained.

"Another part of it was that as soon as they had the man sent off, I switched to 4-4-2 and right midfield is not Carl’s position.

"I wanted to stay in that shape, get some more natural width, and I also didn’t want to give the ref the chance to even it up."

Elliot Embleton's introduction almost yielded an instant reward, and in the opening stages of the half Ipswich struggled to pick him up.

On numerous occasions he drifted into dangerous positions and Sunderland were unfortunate not to double their lead.

It was a substitution that reflected Johnson's growing confidence in his squad, and his growing options.

Here Jack Diamond was not needed, even though his place in the squad more generally is now secure.

"It was just about having that intricate player in the pocket, with Elliot," Johnson said.

"He’s two-footed, he can receive with his left foot and come in on his right.

"Sometimes it is just horses for courses, and Jack is now fresh for the next one.

"I’ve been really pleased with him, he has done fantastically well, he is ours and I want to keep him for a very long time."

The return of Lynden Gooch also lifted the mood, dangerous on the break even in a brief cameo from the bench.

Sunderland still need another attacking addition, and another left-back is without doubt required, but Johnson's hand is stronger than it was a fortnight ago.

This was, as he conceded, not a vintage performance.

After the early stages of the second half Ipswich rallied, Aaron Drinan's introduction changing the tempo of the game and in the end, it was another nervy conclusion.

Finding consistency within games remains an ongoing concern and the Black Cats have much to improve.

As Johnson himself said, though: "We’re definitely not at full slickness at the moment but in this league you don’t get it all your own way.

"We have to be able to win games of football a number of ways and in the last couple we showed that we can dog it, as well as play when we need to."

To convince you that this is a promotion campaign, more of the latter is undoubtedly required.

But for now, it feels as if Johnson and his squad have a foothold to build from.

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