GUS POYET admits next weekend’s crunch relegation clash against Burnley is a make-or-break moment in Sunderland’s season. Sunderland’s troubles at the Stadium of Light continued yesterday when they failed to get the better of Championship Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round, leaving the Black Cats with just two wins in all competitions on their own patch this season. But Sunderland need to produce a stark turnaround in their fortunes at home over the next month, with relegation rivals Burnley, QPR and West Brom visiting Wearside in three of the next four Premier League outings. Head coach Poyet needs no reminding about the magnitude of next Saturday’s visit of Burnley - who only lie below Sunderland on goal difference. “There are moments in the season where you have turning points and the Burnley game is one of them, so it’s an important week for us,” said Poyet. please log in to view this image “The idea now is to first analyse the last two games - Tottenham and this one (Fulham) check really well if it’s the way we want to go forward, train it, whatever we are going to do, next week and play first and foremost Burnley and win. “We need to win.” Poyet has opted for a 3-5-2 formation in the last two games to accommodate new signing Jermain Defoe, yet Sunderland have still struggled for creativity. That wasn’t helped by defensive midfielder Liam Bridcutt replacing the injured Adam Johnson against Fulham, with Poyet’s plan to introduce Emanuele Giaccherini or Ricky Alvarez for the last half-hour going awry when Jack Rodwell was sent off. But Poyet accepts that Sunderland have to provide more service to Defoe, although the England international was denied a goal on his home debut by three smart saves from Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli “Jermain will get into those positions, but it’s up to us,” added Poyet. “If you don’t really push into wide areas or produce, like in the first half, he’s not going to have the chances. “I think that’s why at the end, there was more and more (chances) because Patrick (van Aanholt) crossed the ball more in the last 20 minutes than in the whole game. “Billy Jones and Will Buckley the same in the second half. “That helps. “But a striker needs the ball in the box.”
Tell us something we don't know Gus. Try playing at attacking midfielder in the AM role. Funnily enough, you might create more.
Crunch Relegation Battle ? Put it this way, whether you like it or not, if we don't win this fixture, my guess is the supporters WILL boo after the final whistle. Not only will this leave us wondering where our next points are gonna come from, but more importantly how will it affect the player's mind set ? ...Just saying !
With limited viewing (absentee/exiled suppoorter) the only player I have seen that has th guile and skill to 'slip' those viscious little passes between defenders with any regularity AND would be tailormade for Defoe is Jordi Gomez. I'll get me tin hat, but stand by my opinion KTF
Won't be in my ears. Sticking to away games nice set of fans travel. That 15.000 that jumped on ship when the sol was built man they can booo.
I don't boo, I vent back on places like here or in my girlfriends lug hole when I get back home. Ellis isn't daft, he doesn't need boos to say enough is enough. He'll have his limit already in place.
I hate hearing booing. Although I realise it's not directed at the players, instead it's generally at the playing system or substitutions etc, that said, it must still resonate amongst the player's way, way after the match has finished.
Not even funny nogs. I would rather that useless c*nt get injured more than Stephen Taylor. Give Giachh or Alvarez a run in the team or get AJ behind the front two with a free role. It's easy really just attack instead of two banks of four sitting on our eighteen yard line.
Why is GP heaping pressure on ? It,s just 1more game or should be treat like one, Burnley must be loving the fact he,ll be sweating over it all week. Time to get creative, it,s no good buying supposedly fantastic guys in training and not playing them. 3-5-2 for me
