Gus Poyet admits Sunderland cannot afford to lose many more games if they are to maintain their Premier League status.
Although it is still relatively early days in the current season, it has so far been nothing short of disastrous for the Stadium of Light outfit. Just one point from the first five matches saw controversial Paolo Di Canio sacked last month, and Kevin Ball also lost the two games he was in caretaker charge for against Liverpool and Manchester United.
Former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Poyet has now been appointed as the new Black Cats manager, but Swansea City thrashed his side 4-0 on Saturday. All this means Sunderland remain rooted to the foot of the table with just a single point to show from eight games, and the Uruguayan coach knows time is already running out.
“We say in Spain, ‘Yesterday and not even tomorrow – Now’,” said the 45-year-old Poyet. “I knew what the task was. I know, with my knowledge, what we need to work on,” he said. But I don’t know how quickly it will work. I can’t tell people it will work in five days or a month. I hope it works really quickly. We cannot lose many more times.”
Next up for the Wearside club is the biggest game in their calendar, as they prepare to welcome fierce rivals Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. A win against the Magpies could well prove the catalyst they so desperately need; yet on the other hand, defeat would be a new low in a season which has thus far contained far too many.
