Joey Barton has this to say about Sunderland's recent form ahead of Bristol Rovers clash

The former Newcastle United man is unbeaten in his six games against the Black Cats as a manager, and is preparing to face the side again with Bristol Rovers this afternoon.

But he will face a Sunderland squad who, under Johnson, are in the midst of a fine run of form and are climbing closer to the top two.

And Barton says he has been impressed by the club’s form in recent weeks – but also reserved praise for former managers Phil Parkinson and Jack Ross, while saying it is ‘about time’ Sunderland ‘got their act together.’

“Lee’s done a superb job in a short space of time,” he said, speaking to the Bristol Post.

“They really look like they’ve turned a corner and they’re building a team that can get promoted out of the division.

“They’ve been on the periphery of that. I thought Phil Parkinson was doing an OK job, maybe not as well as some people wanted it done.

“I thought Jack Ross did a good job. Good men who did good jobs.

“It looks like Lee’s finally getting a tune out of them, but let’s be honest, they shouldn’t be in this division. A club that size with a passionate fanbase should never be in the third tier of English football.

“It just shouldn’t happen, so it’s about time they got their act together.”

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