Run Of Victories Needed Very Soon

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says the time is fast approaching that the Black Cats will have to string together a run of victories

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says the time is fast approaching that the Black Cats will have to string together a run of victories if they are going to stand a chance of staying in the top flight at the end of the season.

Big Sam was visibly deflated after his side lost 1-0 at home to Manchester City despite dominating for much of the game. City have Joe Hart to thank for that.

The Black Cats boss has never been relegated at any of the clubs that he has been in charge off, but he can see this time around that he now has a big job on his hands after it all started so well in beating Newcastle 3-0.

Big Sam told BBC Sport: ‘There will be a stage where, when we get to single figures, we might have to be looking at what we have looked at for many years, where we have to string three or four wins together.

‘I have been trying not to get there, but as it looms ever closer, it looks like that might be the case.

‘But had the performance brought the victory that we probably deserved today, I’d feel a lot happier and a lot more comfortable. But it wasn’t to be and it’s very disappointing.’

Next up for Sunderland is a trip to Anfield on Saturday to take on Liverpool.