Dwight Yorke can put the bite back into the Black Cats

Apr 9 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

“If we do, the finger will be pointed at us because we got ourselves in that position.”

Yorke apart, few players are prepared to put their heads above the parapet and talk to the media – a sign of waning confidence.

“It’s amazing, when you find players doing well they always want to talk,” he said. “When I was a young man I was exactly the same. It happens in every way of life. If you’re buzzing and going out every night pulling women, you want to tell everyone about it.

“Now the mood has changed it’s a serious feel around the club and the smile seems to have gone off a few faces. You can see there’s a bit of a low.

“But it’s important we stay focused because that’s what it will take to get through this. It will take a unique effort, from everyone from top to bottom. But we are still very positive we can get out of this situation.”

Sbragia expects to be without left-back George McCartney for “a couple of weeks”, but midfielder Teemu Tainio is back after a knee injury and could play on Saturday.