RLB PRE CHELSEA

With barely enough time for last night's wounds to heal, attention swiftly changes to Chelsea on Sunday, with pressure building at the Stadium of Light.

KEEP THE FAITH

“It is part of the journey. Often when we get success, we think about the last part of the journey but we forget about how tough it was before. (The play-offs) is a good example. And last year we had those periods, after Nottingham Forest for example it wasn’t expected that we would end up seventh in the league. It’s part of the journey. It’s obviously not a comfortable period and we don’t like it, but at the same time we have to show the way. Keep the energy high. When I wake up in the morning I have this energy and I have to give it to the players. I think this morning was a bit painful once again but they are ready for the next fight. We have to keep the clarity about what we have to improve as a team because it’s fair to say we are a bit too exposed and concede too many goals. It is important to also back each other, and we can’t let the negativity creep in. It’s impossible, otherwise you kill the togetherness, the creativity and the energy. It’s part of the journey and it’s a strong reminder about our pillars and how we want to achieve our goals.”

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

“The experience is always useful. I think we get better through difficult experiences and you remind yourself what could have been better, and you try to avoid the mistakes knowing that it is always a new chapter to right. It is always a different situation but the pillars are always the same.”

BACK TO BASICS OR TAKE GAMBLES?

“Both, I would say. Be pragmatic first, I think, because it is clear that if you concede one two or three goals it’s always more difficult to win the game. At the same time, keep the creativity and bravery, the ideas to create something a bit different to change the momentum. It is true.”

YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK

“It is a vicious circle. Yesterday I think the first ten minutes were okay, we created a chance with Jules (Ahoka). Then when we had ten men we conceded a chance, goal. It is a powerful reminder that we are in a bad situation. After that the energy, the creativity, rhythm, intensity dropped and it was more and more difficult. Probably a bit too heavy for the young lads in this period yesterday evening. The four subs at half time helped, I think the second half was much better but it was probably too late at 2-0 down. We hit the woodwork three times, a bit unlucky with two or three shots deflected, but this is the period and we have to assume it.”

INJURY LATEST/ NORDI UPDATE

“We know Ballard was important last year, and the year before at the end of the season. Players and teams are like people in general, you have ups and downs. When it is a bit harder you have to support them. So, it is not just about players, it is about the whole structure, the whole dynamic and energy. We had this conversation with a few players in the dressing room this morning. Maybe last year it was possible to be open and go man-for-man without fear, because we were strong. This year, when the team plays inside one-v-one, we fear they can create. Maybe this wasn’t the case a few months ago, so you need to adapt with the structure and then maybe in three or four weeks, when we are more confident and in a better shape, we can afford to play like we used to play. Nordi should be (available for Chelsea).”

RESTART FOR SUNDAY

“It is always a new chapter. At least we know the challenge, we know it is possible to achieve it, and we keep the hope. This is our life, this is our job to help and keep fighting.”

IMPORTANT FIXTURE

“I would say that every game is important with three points at the end. This one just before the international break is important, to be fair, because the work we’ve done through this difficult period is still consistent. I can see the players and the staff, the board and the people around, we are all working hard. To help the dynamic you need a reward. I think it was the case for example against Leeds, we worked really hard and created a few chances but didn’t score, so it wasn’t a big reward. We would like to have this one, to show that we are on the right way and we need this positivity to keep the momentum.”

NOT AS SOLID

“It is fair to say that we are not strong enough in duels. In transitions, when we go man-for-man, in different areas, we are not as solid as we were last season. But is it just because of the momentum and this period? Probably, I would say yes. Keep fighting and keep believing in what we are doing.”

SUPPORTER IMPACT

“Still key I think. They are important in the atmosphere they can build in the stadium. I told you often last year and the year before, it is a connection with the squad. The way that the squad plays, the energy they put into the game, helps connect with the fans. It starts with us, I am clear with that, but also they need to back us when it is a bit harder. I think they have this power, the belief and passion to do that.”

FIXTURE PILE-UP

“We earned this opportunity last year and we were happy, so now we won’t complain because we are in a busy schedule. It is a new part of the journey, it’s demanding, especially when we don’t get good results. But at the same time it pushes us to get better, to find more solutions, to connect more, to be more creative, to be more pragmatic at times, and I think this is the mood and energy I feel in the dressing room.”

LEADERSHIP GROUP

“We had many conversations with them. They are important because they will show the way. I will show the way and the club will too, but inside the dressing room our leaders set the tone with their mood and their ability to address problems, with the ability to stick together and show the right foundations to get better. They are key in those moments and I think they are doing this job. Now it is a question of individual levels - if you drop a little bit, maybe you don’t have the same influence or power to address those problems, but they are trying their best.”

UNPREDICTABLE ELEMENTS

“In football and in life, you never know because it is so complex. This is why we like football. You can be less efficient than the opponent and win the game, you can have different situations and you can lose it. So, you can’t control everything. But the things you can control, you have to focus on those things. This is the most important. After that, we will see.”

A BIG WIN CAN CHANGE THE NARRATIVE

“Absolutely. We see it positively and we will give the best version of Sunderland to beat Chelsea. The opponent is strong, they have a good team, good dynamic and good coach, they are in a better place so it is going to be a big challenge. But at the same time, this is what we like.”