'Tactically we got it wrong' but Black Cats can't dwell on failings

On Saturday, Sunderland were taught a lesson on how you cannot underestimate any opponent in the Premier League - but, also, that sometimes by showing a side too much respect you can fall flat on your face.

Fulham, despite being on an awful run of form, have only lost once at home so far this season, so are clearly a decent outfit.

Yet, given our own great start to the season, it was not unreasonable to predict we might come away with three points. Had we actually showed up, we might have stood a chance, but it was all very easy for the home side and, while they left it late to get their winning goal, the truth is that a better side would probably have punished us a lot sooner.

Sunderland were probably the sloppiest they have been all season and could not get going. It wasn't all our own doing - I thought Darren England's officiating of the game was incredibly poor, and the weather conditions meant it was never going to be a fantastic game to watch - but we can have no complaints about coming away with nothing.

You probably wouldn't have been surprised when turning on your TV on Saturday night to see that Fulham vs Sunderland was last on Match of the Day.

Why were we so poor? Tactically, we got it wrong, and I haven't been able to say that very often this season. Five at the back didn't make sense to me before the game, and even when it was apparent it wasn't working, we left it far too late to change things.

Had we been proactive and made some changes at half-time, we might actually have kicked into gear, but it all felt a bit too little, too late - and in the end, Fulham were the ones who were rewarded for their persistence and for making good substitutions.

While most of this season has felt like a dream, we are going to have the odd day where nothing goes right. It happens to the best of them - just look at the result at Anfield, where Liverpool were trounced by Nottingham Forest. There are lots of good teams at this level and if you're not at it, you will be made to pay.

We have to look positively at the next one, as another tough test awaits us on Saturday when Bournemouth visit the Stadium of Light. Nothing can be gained from dwelling on any lingering negativity from our trip to Craven Cottage, particularly with trips to Liverpool and Manchester City following that one.

All of a sudden, Saturday feels like a huge game - but we have to relish it. The Premier League is the best league in the world and every game is a challenge... just look at what happened to us at Fulham for proof!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report