McCarthy remains upbeat

"We have to give respect to sides coming here," the Black Cats boss said after the 0-0 draw at The Stadium of Light.

"We have to pick up points where we can and perhaps we get a bit more freedom away from home.

"It was one of those games and you could see by their reaction at the end who was the more pleased with a point. My dressing room is sick because the players are used to winning.

"I think everybody was expecting nine points from the three home games in a row we have but it does not happen like that."