GUS POYET admits he is not enjoying the succession of draws which is dogging Sunderland. Prior to Saturday’s clash against West Ham, Sunderland head coach Poyet had preached how he was looking for two or three wins before the end of 2014 and, above all, wanted to avoid another draw. But that was Sunderland’s fate against the high-flying Hammers, as they finished all-square for the 10th time in 16 Premier League matches this season. Despite the Black Cats losing the fewest games among the sides currently lying outside the top six, Sunderland’s resilience is only small comfort for Poyet compared to the frustration of seeing his team draw five of their last six games. Poyet said: “I want to do better and I want people to feel better. “I am not enjoying this. “I enjoy it when I win, but when I draw too many, I don’t enjoy it. “Maybe the problem is me, it is my character. Maybe it is not possible. “Maybe we will need to wait three years. “The easiest way to solve all these problems is to get a player who can make the difference on his own. “We don’t have one at the moment. “Unless someone wins player of the month, like Connor Wickham and Adam Johnson did last season, it is going to be boring draws all the time.” Sunderland had chances to claim all three points after Jordi Gomez’s penalty was cancelled out by ex-Black Cats loanee Stewart Downing. Jozy Altidore spurned a sitter on the stroke of half-time, while Wickham was denied by an excellent save from Hammers stopper Adrian. But, after seeing those chances created, Poyet does not believe it is a question of Sunderland needing to become more gung-ho going forwards to convert draws into wins. “The problem with taking more risks is that, at the moment, we are getting into good positions to finish,” he added. “If we weren’t then you could say we needed to take more risks to get more players ahead of the ball and play a different way. “But we have created plenty of chances. “It is about quality. That is what is lacking.” As well as Sunderland’s deficiencies in the forward line, Poyet pointed to the problems at full-back, where Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt have both been sidelined for the last month. “In my dream teams that I have coached for long periods to try to make them better, the central midfielder is very important,” added Poyet. “With Liam Bridcutt and Lee Cattermole, we are well served there and I am delighted. “Full-backs are another big feature. “We started the season without a right-back. Billy Jones has been in and out. Anthony Reveillere has come from nowhere. He has been exceptional, but it shouldn’t be like that. “We should have had three full-backs at the start of the season. We are behind. “We got Santiago (Vergini) into positions to cross, but that is not his ability. “We cannot find Anthony high up the pitch on his left foot because that is not his side. It is a handicap.”
GUS POYET says even the most casual observer can tell that Sunderland need to improve their attacking options in the January transfer window.The Black Cats’ tally of Premier League draws reached double figures on Saturday, with head coach Poyet struggling to contain his frustration at the pattern which continues to dog his side. Poyet believes Sunderland are paying the price for a lack of quality in the final third – a view borne out by a goal return of just 14 in 16 top-flight outings, the third worst haul in the division. And it is clearly the priority area in next month’s window for Poyet, who again made a point of stressing the respective responsibilities of himself and sporting director Lee Congerton. “You need to be a person who doesn’t have a clue about football to not realise what we’re missing,” he said. “Even if you listen to the radio, you know what we’re missing.” Asked if there would be a new forward arriving in January, Poyet responded: “That’s a question that you need to ask the recruitment system. “I can’t be answering for everything, because we’ve got a system in place. “There’s people in charge. “I’m training the team and doing the best we can. This, I promise you, is the best we can. “The other responsibilities are not in my hands. Then it’s up to them.” Poyet says he cannot question the effort or application of his side, who matched high-flying West Ham and finished the game in the ascendancy. But Sunderland couldn’t profit from their opportunities to regain the lead after Jordi Gomez’s penalty was cancelled out by Stewart Downing – Jozy Altidore spurning the most gilt-edged of the chances on the stroke of half-time. “Every season, I started the season thinking if I didn’t score double figures, I wasn’t good enough,” said Poyet. “Now, the people up front need to find that. “Don’t tell me we didn’t have chances, because then we’re lying to ourselves. “You need to find a way and that’s frustrating. “It’s a part of the game that I doubt I can improve dramatically. “I can help them, but it’s out of my hands. “It’s missing very little and we’re doing everything we can. “This is where we are. This is us. “I don’t think you can ask for more. “Every point looks like it takes everything from the players and it’s a massive effort. “But, at the end, that’s where we are. “I was clear the other day. I don’t want four draws (before the end of 2014). I’d prefer a win and a draw than four draws. “We want to have the feeling of winning.” Twitter @:YoungSunEcho * Follow the Echo all week for the biggest and best build-up to Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby
He`s been saying the same things for long enough now it`s getting boring. January`s your chance to do something Gus. I suggest you take it.
