We're not going to crumble

Mar 16 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

ANDY Reid's response to what Ricky Sbragia described as Sunderland’s worst display under his management was a call for cool heads.

The Irish midfielder did nothing to dispute Sbragia’s claim, but cautioned against over-reaction.

“It was very frustrating for us,” admitted the 26-year-old, substituted after an ineffective hour. “We’ve had plenty of good days recently and Saturday wasn’t one of them. We’re all disappointed but it’s important we stay as positive as we can. We’ve got to look at what we didn’t do, what didn’t happen for us, put it right and take it into the next game.

“There’s been plenty of positives over the last two or three months. We need to look back on them more than the negatives from Saturday’s game.” Sunderland were booed off, and Sbragia immediately promised personnel changes for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City, but Reid insisted the 2-1 defeat was “a one-off”.

“It’s very important to not lose the run of ourselves and go changing things wholesale,” he said. “That would be a pretty silly thing to do if there was lots of changes to what we do in training and how we go about things.

“It’s important not to let it run away with us and look on it as a one-off.” The Black Cats’ next two matches are at Manchester City and West Ham United. In contrast to last season, they have collected just 18 out of a possible 45 points at the Stadium of Light, increasing the pressure away from it.

“We conceded in the last minute against Tottenham, which was disappointing, but before that we won the last two (at home),” Reid pointed out. “It’s not all doom and gloom. Everybody’s disappointed – me, the manager, the rest of the players and I’m sure the fans.

“But it’s not going to do anybody any good if we’re all negative about it.”

Nevertheless, Reid demanded a reaction. “The conditions probably suited them more than it suited us, but that’s not an excuse,” he said.

“They like to play a more direct game, we like to knock it about. The pitch is very poor, it makes it difficult.

“It was one of those days when everything seemed to go against us.

“But we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves, we’re not going to crumble, we’re going to stick out our chests.”