Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher feels his side have improved since Sam Allardyce replaced Dick Advocaat as manager.

The former Bolton and West Ham boss lost his first game in charge at West Brom but then helped Sunderland record a first Premier League win of the season with a 3-0 victory in the Wear-Tyne derby.

Sunderland slumped to a 6-2 defeat at Everton on Sunday and remain in the relegation places but Fletcher feels they have started to improve under Allardyce.

The striker believes more chances are being created, but he admits they need to tighten up at the back if they are to climb away from danger.

He told the Chronicle: “We have improved, we are a lot more organised under this manager.

“He has us going into games with more confidence and it showed at Everton in the first 20 minutes.

Had we scored our chances in those early moments we would have been 2-0 up and it would have been completely different. It was frustrating in the end. I think it is the silly mistakes that we need to cut out, massively. In the Premier League if you make one mistake then teams will pounce on you.

“We are creating chances though which is a good thing. Hopefully we can stop conceding so many and we will be alright.”

Sunderland, who are 1.40 to be relegated, host Southampton on Saturday in their next Premier League fixture.

The Black Cats are 5.00 to claim all three points, a draw is 3.75 and a win for Saints is available at 1.75.