Aaron Connolly's Sunderland comments will be music to the ears of Black Cats fans

Striker Aaron Connolly was delighted to get his first Sunderland start but acknowledged: "It didn’t go exactly as I planned it.”

The 24-year-old was one of three changes to the team that drew 0-0 at QPR as the team rode their luck against Preston in the first half before improving in the second.

Connolly was one of two players starting in Sunderland colours for the first time as Tommy Watson joined him in what was a frustrating evening for the Black Cats as they battled to a second successive goalless draw.

The forward was named in the starting XI in Lancashire on an evening where Sunderland stretched their unbeaten run to seven games in the Championship. While there was an understanding behind the result, Connolly is hoping for better fortunes this weekend against Coventry City.

The Irishman said: “I’m happy with my first start. It didn’t exactly go how I planned it but I’m sure that the plan I had in my head will come off soon. You always imagine scoring on your first start. But I haven’t started a Championship game for 10 or 11 months now. Now I’ve got that under my belt I can flourish now.”

He added: “It was a fair result. I don’t think we ever really got going like we know we can.

“They’re a good side. They have been in the Championship for a long time and they know how to play against teams at home. I feel as though we played into their hands at times but it’s a point on the board. We saw that Leeds lost, so points on the board are what matters but obviously we wanted three.

"We want three points every week, but unbeaten runs are what get you promoted. Grinding out results at QPR with 10 men and Preston when we’re not at it. Two points from two games, we wanted six but hopefully we can get a win on Saturday.”

The forward added that he is hungry for more after starting for the first time. “I love it here,” he said. “It’s a great group and I like the way we play. I can see myself having a successful season here.

“I was never going to use the excuse I had no pre-season. I didn’t have one last season at Hull and I was scoring goals. I know the goals will come, I’m not going to force it. I know I can contribute and I know I can score goals.”

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