Sunderland interim head coach Mike Dodds says there are a number of factors behind the Black Cats' drop off in form as the season peters out to a close.

The Wearsiders have gone from swashbuckling play-off semi-finalists under Tony Mowbray, to play-off contenders and now mid-table mediocrity. While each manager has more or less had the same squad to choose from, it's fair to say injuries and other factors have played their part this season after failing to hit the heights of the last campaign.

"There's also the reality that some of the players haven't performed to the level they did last year, and that is a reality," Dodds said ahead of the trip to Watford this weekend. "That's not finger pointing because we've all got to go away and reflect - that includes me.

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"I've been involved with this team for the last two seasons so I've got some reflection points on why things were better previously than where they are now. The players also have some reflection points as well.

"We all need to reflect on why the season has petered out - I do think we have a really strong core but there is definitely a need for more depth and some help around some of those players.

"Going back to the question, I think I'd describe it as clunky and there hasn't felt like we've been able to have any real flow. I think there are a number of reasons for that, injuries, suspensions, turnover of managers."

Accusations have been levelled at the interim head coach of being over cautious from the red and white faithful, opting for a back five may have worked against Leeds United and West Brom, but at home to Millwall the Black Cats looked void of ideas going forward.

"The whole cautious thing maybe manifests itself from Saturday," he added. "I thought the approach against Leeds and West Brom worked, and then obviously we had to make some changes late in the day before Millwall.

"Trai Hume and Dan Neil were going to play so we had to move one or two things around, so we didn't have the ideal preparation. I also feel Dan Neil is a huge miss for the group from a tactical perspective, so I think the shape is also impacted by not having Dan.

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"I don't think he gets the credit he deserves from a tactical point of view, the things he spots and solves for you it's almost like having a coach on the pitch. When you take someone like that out of the team then it will have an impact.

"So there are reasons why we looked more cautious on Saturday than we wanted to be. I'd also say that whenever Millwall have had the most possession, they've never won.

"So we did feel like we'd get an advantage by letting them have a bit more of the ball, they've done really well when they don't have it. So we did sacrifice a bit of possession and territory."