Sunderland skipper John O'Shea feels they need to take more risks with their play.

The Black Cats have the sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League, but sit in 14th because only Aston Villa and Burnley have scored less than their 16 goals in 19 matches.

"The whole team unit is working so hard together defensively and maybe that's why we're lacking the final bit of energy," O'Shea told The Journal.

"We've done a lot of work on the defensive side and that's the balance we've got to find.

"The frustrating thing on Sunday is that when you're against 10 men (as was the case once Fabian Delph was sent off for a studs-up tackle on Jordi Gomez) you know you're going to have a lot of possession but you're hoping to create more clear-cut chances.

"We got into dangerous positions and maybe we need to be that bit more positive and take people on in the box. Then you're putting them under pressure to get tackles in.

"We want to put crosses in and make defenders make really tough clearances, rather than putting it straight on to their head."