Sunderland manager David Moyes had admitted that his side "need to get better in all areas" after they lost a crucial relegation six-pointer at Stoke City this afternoon.
The result left the Black Cats firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with a return of just two points from their opening eight games of the campaign.
Moyes, who took the reins of the side in late July, claimed that his squad are edging nearer to getting a positive result but have more work to do.
"We did some good things but conceded a terrible goal for the first. We played better than we had done in recent games but we had to make sure we got to half time at 1-0 down," he said at his post-match press conference. "We stuck at it in the second half, we tried but it wasn't to be.
"We need to get better in all areas. But what I've seen in training recently tells me we're getting there, especially with our work on the ball. It was an inexperienced team out there but we're trying to get them better, we're working on them.
"When you've got supporters like Sunderland you're always going to be there and be successful and they were outstanding again today."
Next up for Sunderland is a trip to London to face West Ham United next weekend.
