Sunderland Do Not Know When They’re Beaten

Key Highlights

• You only have to glance at the Leverkusen side that he captained for an example of what can be achieved when you refuse to lie down – they went an entire season unbeaten and did so having clawed back from losing positions on countless occasions. That experience he gained from being part of that team has clearly taught him a lot of important lessons, lessons that he’s now sharing with his Sunderland team-mates. Make no mistake about it – Bournemouth are an incredible side, and they have achieved so much under Andoni Iraola already since he took charge there, so to be able to fight back from going two goals down so early in the game is truly remarkable.
• Yet, as I stood in my usual spot in the South-West Corner at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, with the rain lashing down and the wind howling, after a brief moment of head loss I had full confidence that this team would find a way to get back into the game.
• Why wouldn’t I?
• They’ve picked up more points than any other team from losing positions this season.
• It doesn’t matter who the opponent is; we don’t fear anyone, and we are willing to work harder than our opponents to get the desired outcome. First came the penalty, which actually came as a result of our players scrapping for multiple loose balls before Reinildo was felled in the box.