Mike Dodds delivers confident Sunderland claim despite Swansea City defeat | OneFootball

Interim Sunderland boss Mike Dodds has said he remains confident regarding the club's chances of finishing in the play-offs this season.

Dodds was placed in charge of the club until the end of the season following Mick Beale's recent sacking, but oversaw a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swansea City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Swans' Brazilian winger Ronald got on the scoresheet twice in the first half of the clash, rendering Luke O'Nien's 77th minute goal as nothing but a consolation.

Sunderland league position

The defeat was Sunderland's third consecutive loss in the Championship, a run which now sees the Black Cats sitting 10th in the league standings.

Indeed, Dodds' side are now eight points behind Hull City in sixth place, and the play-offs.

There are also several sides between them and the top six, too, that the club are competing with to climb into those top six spots.

These include Coventry City, Preston North End and Norwich City, with Watford, Bristol City, Middlesbrough and Cardiff chasing from behind.

Dodds offers confident Sunderland play-off verdict

Despite the above deficit, interim boss Dodds remains optimistic about the club's chances of a top six finish.

He remains confident in the group, as he explained to The Northern Echo after the full-time whistle: "There are still 12 games to go and I am going to be really naturally optimistic because I know we have some really good players,"

"The result today isn't going to help the push for the top six but we still have 12 games to go, I'm still confident in the way we work, I'm still confident in terms of the group we've got."

Sunderland fixtures

Of course, if Sunderland are to climb into the top six from their current position, it is going to take a very strong run in the final 12 games of the season.

That final 12 games kicks offf with a tough run, too, with a trip to Norwich up next, followed by back to back clashes with promotion contenders in Leicester City and Southampton.

Those three matches will not be make or break for Sunderland's season, though, says Dodds.

Dodds explained when it was put to him the trio above were make or break.

"I have a level of self-confidence. I'm disappointed with the first half, naturally, but I have a full week with them and I'm looking forward to the three games.

"We know what they'll be, roughly how they set up and what we're going into.

It will certainly be interesting to see if Dodds can lead the Black Cats on a remarkable run in the closing weeks of the season.