Bolo Zenden: Consistency is key for Cats

Nov 24 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

BOLO Zenden feels Sunderland are just one of the teams who are closing the gap on the Premier League's Big Four, but argued they still have to find the consistency which could take them into Europe next season.

Zenden has been really impressed with Sunderland’s form since he signed as a free agent last month after two years out of English football with Marseille in France.

And the former Holland international hinted for the first time the Wearsiders are looking at rather more in Steve Bruce’s first season in charge than just a top-half finish.

But the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Middlesbrough winger feels Sunderland still have plenty to do to break into the Europa League places despite their excellent form against the top-flight’s best teams.

He said: “It’s a rather good reputation to have – scourge of the Big Four – but on the other hand, while it’s good to get the points against the big guns it’s not going to get you where you want to be in the end if you don’t manage to beat the smaller sides as well.

“We have had an off day against Birmingham and lost against Stoke and Burnley as well and that has let us down. It’s fantastic to beat big teams like Arsenal and Liverpool at home and it’s nice they don’t fancy coming here anymore. We’re pleased with that, but we have to find some consistency.

“We are confident the team will progress this season. It’s a new look side with a lot of new players in it, but we have gelled quickly. It’s not only the fact we have had some good results, it’s the fact we have laid down a performance as well. We played well at Tottenham as well, but didn’t get any luck.

“We are a good team, but we have to do it week in, week out, get the points and be consistent. But it definitely gives us a bit of confidence, the crowd are behind us and that helps as well and that has helped the manager get the new players to gel quickly.”