Big Cats must now prove their worth

Apr 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Defeat in the Black Country allowed Blackburn Rovers to leapfrog the Black Cats and puts a different complexion on Sunderland’s final two home games against Everton and Chelsea. Sbragia’s men will most likely have to take something from the visit of Everton on Sunday but they could have been dragged to within a point of the drop zone if results have gone against them by then.

It is a frustrating scenario for Sunderland – especially as they could have made a decisive break from the bottom three by beating basement club West Brom. At least they have a manager who is fully aware of the perilous predicament that Sunderland have landed themselves in.

“I never, ever thought we were out of it. No one ever put their feet up and said ‘we’re okay now’,” he said.

“A win can move you up, a loss can put you down it – it’s been like that all season. We need to move up that table as quickly as possible now.”

Certainly, it appears as if Sbragia will change things around for Sunderland’s next away game. The team have gone nine games without winning on their travels and that will prompt some serious thinking from the Black Cats’ under-pressure boss.

“Away from home, we haven’t been performing and maybe we have to look at the systems now – do we go two up front, for example?

“We look a little bit better as a 4-4-2 at home and that’s something to think about ahead of Everton because we have to look to be positive in that game.

“But away from home, I think we have to look at everything now.”