Sunderland boss Jack Ross insists that it is nice to have Aiden McGeady back in the squad as it increases competition for places, though he believes that having a strong squad does not mean guaranteed wins.
The Black Cats had the 32-year-old back in the squad for the first time since pre-season in the match against Burton Albion last Saturday.
According to Ross, the squad he had available for the match was the strongest he has had so far this season; but Sunderland lost at Burton.
And so the manager insists that football does not always follow logic. Ross insists that his team will now have to up their performance because all of their positions are under threat.
"What we wanted to have is that competition for places and we didn’t have that in the early part of the season", Ross said at a press conference.
"On the flip side of that, Saturday was probably the strongest squad we’ve had all season and it was the worst performance. So it doesn’t always follow logic.
"You would expect players to up their performances because they know their position is under threat.
"But taking positives from it, Aiden’s contribution, given he’s just coming back to fitness and playing catch-up, was good."
On Chris Maguire, who lost his starting spot in the match against Burton and was introduced only as a second half substitute, Ross said that player's reaction was good and that is what he expects from each member of the squad.
"On Chris Maguire, his reaction to not playing was good.
"That’s something we expect of the players.
"He knew his standard had dipped in recent weeks, but his reaction when he came on was really positive and that’s all you can ask for as a manager.
"It then obviously gives you that dilemma for the following week."
Sunderland's opponents this weekend will be Rochdale, with Ross' men hosting the game at the Stadium of Light.
