Sunderland legend delivers verdict on Lincoln City win and how the impressive performance still raised questions

More accurately, it was the second half that could have been better, nothing wrong with the first, as Sunderland switched off for no reason and I don’t think anybody has any idea why.

I was delighted at half-time, 3-0 up and that didn’t flatter Sunderland.

The second half should have been a breeze but they made heavy work of it and I am just pleased Lincoln didn’t add another goal to the one they did score or the nerves would have been jangling all around the stadium.

Maybe I am being a bit harsh after a good win but I just want Sunderland to be as good as they can be all of the time, not just for 45 minutes because another time we will only be 1-0 up and a similar second half performance will cost Sunderland points.

However, I would certainly have taken a 3-1 win before the game had started and I have got to say the first half was as good as anything we have produced this season.

The pressing was good, clever movement with high energy and workrate, everything we want to see the players delivered and goals too, no complaints there.

Lincoln though, helped Sunderland in that respect and I wasn’t surprised Michael Appleton was angry with his team as his defence gifted Sunderland two goals.

Sunderland though were ruthless to punish their opponents mistakes, so often this season we have seen Sunderland let the opposition off the hook but not in the first half on Saturday, they were merciless.

So a game of two halves on Saturday but Sunderland were worthy winners and have definitely improved since that fiasco on Boxing Day against Bolton and looking at the table we are really not too far away, which is astonishing given the turbulent season we have had.