Ross Stewart offers honest assessment of Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray’s first few months in charge | OneFootball

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart has said Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray has made a great impression during his first few months in charge at the club and that the dressing room are right behind him.

Mowbray took over as Sunderland boss at the end of August after Alex Neil somewhat surprisingly decided to depart the Stadium of Light for Stoke City.

Unfortunately for Stewart, he has only played once under Mowbray so far owing to a long-term injury, but despite that, he suggests he has been impressed by the 58-year-old nevertheless.

“I’ve obviously not had much pitch time with him but I’ve had multiple talks with him, as a manager and as a person he’s very down to earth, he’s been keen to keep track of how I’m doing, telling me how keen he has to have me back and involved,” the Sunderland star forward explained, via Sunderland Echo.

“I can see that he’s a manager who wants the team to get on the ball, to play and trust each other.

“He wants to dominate the ball – there’s a lot to like about the team, the results just haven’t quite been where we want them to be.”

Indeed, with Stewart and fellow attacker Ellis Simms out injured, along with other players, absences seemed to have caught up with Sunderland prior to the World Cup break.

The Black Cats endured mixed form as the Championship approached its pause, although did win two of their last three.

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Despite that, they sit 15th in the league standings at present, although Stewart is aiming for better results when football gets back underway and the Black Cats get their players fit once again.

“Hopefully after the break we’ll have some players back and we’ll have a bigger squad and the results will turn.” Steward added.

“He’s made a great impression, the boys are right behind him and how he wants to play, it’s just about turning performances into results now.

“There’s a lot of good creative players here and I’ve got no doubt that when I’m back they’ll still be creating those chances, and it’ll be down to me and Ellis to just try and put the ball in the back of the net.”

The Verdict

I think Ross Stewart’s assessment here is a promising one for Sunderland fans.

Mowbray sounds as though he has made a good impression at the Stadium of Light on the Sunderland star, and has the dressing room behind him.

Stewart’s opinion could be crucial, too, given his current contract situation at the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old’s current deal expires next summer, and there is huge speculation over his future potentially laying elsewhere at the end of the season.

Perhaps if Mowbray impresses him enough, the forward could be tempted to sign a new deal and extend his club stay.