'Sunderland have to work really hard for everything they get,' warns Tony Mowbray

Tony Mowbray says he won't allow Sunderland to get ahead of themselves and forget their work ethic.

Tony Mowbray is determined to keep overconfidence out of the Sunderland camp despite their fine results of late.

The Black Cats are going for their fourth win in five games when they face Bristol City this weekend.

That run has pushed Sunderland’s young squad right into serious play-off contention, although Mowbray knows that comes with its inherent dangers.

“Sometimes, the moment you start getting overconfident you get a knock,” Mowbray said. “So I genuinely just focus on the next one (game).

“I know it's not what journalists want to hear, but I think the best way in football is to not get carried away if it's going well, not get a bit down if you've gone a few games without getting a victory.

“I don't try to look too deep into the fixture list. Just focus on the next one really. The only reason I have half an eye on the next games is because of the selection of the players and the team and thinking 'can this player keep going' and 'when do we give him a rest.'

“We are in a cycle of midweek games which has got the potential to damage the squad somewhere down the line if we pick up more injuries.

“So, no, I don't sit here thinking: 'Wow we're flying, aren't we great.' I sit here and think we have to work really really hard for everything we get.

Regardless of how well Sunderland have played of late, they will host a team in Bristol City who are in even better form.

The Robins are on a ten-game unbeaten run, and Mowbray is expecting a really tough test at the Stadium of Light.

“We are playing against a team who have not lost in their last eight league games, in the last ten games in total. So we're expecting a really tough football match.

“We've just got to get our mind focused on what we do and how we are going to play and see if we can keep it going.

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