Mike Dodds says Sunderland 'have not given up' on play-offs race

Are Sunderland out of the play-offs race? Mike Dodds doesn't think so.

Mike Dodds says he does not consider Sunderland to be out of the Championship play-offs race despite a fourth successive defeat.

A 1-0 defeat at Norwich left the Black Cats nine points adrift of the top six, and as close to a play-off position as they are the relegation zone.

Dodds is trying to remain upbeat, though, and drawing inspiration from last season when a late surge in form saw Sunderland pinch a play-offs position.

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Asked if Sunderland can still get back in on the promotion race, Dodds said: "Definitely.

"I can't remember exactly where we were this time last year but I can't imagine it's a million miles apart.

“What we did last year was go on an unbelievable run to take it to the last game. The mindset of the players is that they want to win every single game and it has to be that way at a club of this size.

“The play-offs are still very much in my mind, I appreciate at the moment we're in a bit of a spot - I can't shy away from that and I know we've got two difficult games coming up, but I take a lot of faith from watching the players work.

“I don't see a group that has given up on that."

This time last year Sunderland were actually six points away from a play-offs position, so a good step closer to the top six than they are now.