Black Cats’ Jones eyeing up positives despite Old Trafford defeat

Boxing Day didn’t quite produce the perfect festive gift for Billy Jones, but the Sunderland defender insists there are a plethora of positives to take away from the Theatre of Dreams.

The Black Cats went down 3-1 despite holding their own for 80 minutes against Manchester United, with two late goals halting any chance of a fightback at Old Trafford.

But with a slender win against Watford coming a week previously – a game Jones missed through injury – David Moyes’ side sit just two points away from escaping the relegation zone, with a potentially-vital basement battle to come with Burnley on New Year’s Eve.

And the 29-year-old feels it’s a game his side can enter with plenty of confidence, also buoyed on a personal level to be shown plenty of faith by his manager.

(Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“It’s a massive positive to come straight back into the team especially considering the lads won against Watford,” said the defender.

“I was waiting for the decision and it was nice to be given the nod, but look at how well Donald (Love) did because it shows that strength in depth and I think it’s great for the squad.”

“We have to show all the positives from Boxing Day’s game and be more clinical when we get our chances in the final third.

“We also need to create more because we know that with the lads we’ve got up they’ll take their chances if they get opportunities, but we need to keep it tight at the back as well.

“If we can go there and keep a clean sheet it would give us a great chance of winning the game.”