Da Silva frustrated with Black Cats' lack of confidence
Aug 23 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
PAULO Da Silva admits Sunderland’s lack of confidence on their travels is turning them into a “different team” away from the Stadium of Light.
The Paraguay defender was back in the Black Cats starting line-up for the first time since his stellar World Cup displays, but it turned out to be a tough afternoon at the Hawthorns – both for him and his side.
Da Silva still seems to be struggling with the physical aspects of the English game and while Titus Bramble performed well alongside him, there is need for rapid improvement from the 30-year-old.
For his part he recognises that Sunderland need to begin to combat the demons that have seen them win just twice away from home in the league under Steve Bruce.
In much-improved English he said: “It is very frustrating. We know that we were not good enough away from home last season and now people will be asking the same questions about us away from home again this season.
“We are good enough to win away but I don’t know why we can’t. It is very frustrating for everyone.
“It was a very difficult game for us. The team played well for a lot of the game but in football if you switch off for one minute, you get punished. It only takes one occasion. That happened to us today and it is a difficult for us to take.
“I feel it was a 0-0 game. We did not play beautiful football but it was very close. ”
Da Silva is more than aware that people will start to question the team’s mentality after their disappointing run of away defeats.
But he is adamant that it is confidence they require – not a complete revamp of personnel or playing style.
“The mentality is OK going away from home. It is not a mental thing. But there is no confidence in us playing away from home,” he said. “When you lose and draw too many games away from home it is difficult. When we step out away, we are a different team sometimes.
“We need a run of two or three wins and then no one will ask us these questions about playing away from home.”
