Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley is full of praise for new manager Martin O'Neill for changing the fine details to find success.

The Black Cats' 3-0 victory over Norwich on Wednesday night means they have won four of their last five outings.

O'Neill's first game in charge at the Stadium of Light was the 2-1 win over Blackburn and his side have lost only two games since, amassing 19 points from a possible 27.

And Scotland right-back Bardsley believes the change in form is due to O'Neill's focus on the small details which are making all the difference.

"It's been so simple," he said. "The manager has changed things around with simple things. He says things to you and you think, 'Oh yeah, that's right'.

"It's not massive things; it's just his presence and the things he says. He's a great person to learn from.

"The new manager's come in and everybody's playing for their place and showing what they're all about."

However, despite the impact of the new manager producing some fine form 26-year-old Bardsley is still wary that Sunderland must remain focused and concentrate on picking up as many points as possible.

He added: "We want to go all the way and finish as high as possible. It feels like we're making up for a bit of lost time at the start of the season.

"I'm very, very pleased we're eighth but I am more concerned about the points on the board.

"It's a type of landmark to get to 30. But I'm very conscious of saying that because we might not move again.

"We play Stoke at the weekend, a really difficult game, then you've got Arsenal and suddenly you lose a game or two and don't know where the next point is coming from."