The pain of today's play-off defeat will linger for a long time. We know that, and we're not going to pretend otherwise. Two Wembley defeats and a 5th placed finish this season have been incredibly tough to stomach for the Black Cats, but here we are. The Mackems now need to look forward, and they need to keep Ross on-board as they look forward.

Jack Ross may come in for a lot of stick over the next couple of days as the Sunderland supporters come to terms with the fact that they'll be travelling to face Lincoln, Tranmere, MK Dons and Bury away next season, but the Scottish gaffer is the man for the job. Just because his side has been unable to convert their chances at Wembley this season doesn't mean he's not fit for the job.

When Stewart Donald sits down with the board and looks ahead to the 2019/20 season he simply cannot afford to try and go it in the new season without Ross in charge. The entire club has been in transition this season and considering how close they've come to making a swift return to the Championship, now they've got one more year of experience and another two transfer windows to prepare, promotion is much more likely.

It won't be easy to go into next season and until next May there will be a lot of heartache and regret about today from the Black Cats. Those that stayed in Sunderland and watched the game on TV and those who made the 540-mile roundtrip from the Northeast to the capital will struggle next season in the third tier again, but no rash moves can be made just yet.

Sunderland fans, do you agree? Let us know by commenting below!