Darren Bent says Sunderland's second-half fade-outs have hurt their campaign this season.

The England hopeful says the team have to rectify this problem as a priority, starting with Saturday's game against relegation-threatened Hull.

"The team is playing well but we have to cut out the second-half performances," said Bent, speaking in his weekly video blog on SAFC TV.

"Too many times we've battered teams and the second half is looking like a foregone conclusion but it hasn't worked out that way.

"We have to look forward and take last weekend's result into the Hull game. It will be a difficult one because this game will be like a cup final to them and they are fighting for their lives.

"I know they were well beaten by Burnley recently but they have had a couple of good results at home."