Sunderland boss Chris Coleman refuses to give up his quest for Championship survival. For the sixth time this season, the Black Cats were unable to string back-to-back wins together and combined with other results, their plight is desperate.
Sheffield Wednesday left the Stadium of Light after two goals in seven second-half minutes completed the Owls 3 – 1 victory. It was a defeat which left Sunderland eight points adrift of safety.
With only 18 points remaining, they are running out of time which is not lost on manager Chris Coleman.
As per a report from Chronicle Live, the Welshman spoke positively regarding the coming games, beginning with the weekend’s trip to Elland Road. “We can go to Leeds and win,” he said.
“It won’t be easy but we can go anywhere in this division and win – it happens all the time.”
Overly optimistic according to some. The Black Cats are only off the bottom of the table by goal difference, with Burton’s considerably worse. Eight points, however, is still a considerable deficit to make up when the side has won just six games all seasons.
“The endeavour was there [on Monday], we played without fear and what cost us was two mistakes.”
Mistakes are the currency of relegation and the Wearsiders must eliminate them from their game.
Things are, however, improving with supporters backing the players. “Our supporters clapped the lads off,” Coleman appreciated. “They recognise when they see a team doing their best, we’ve been booed off here at times this season and rightly so.”
Had the effort been there earlier the season, Sunderland might not be in the precarious position they find themselves.
Coleman cannot afford to dwell on the past.
“The last two performances were more like it,” he observed, before continuing, “and if we do that in the next six games we can win three, that’s for sure.”
“It’s a big job for us but we have to see Leeds United as the last game of the season for us.”
He will already be aware of the poor record of this weekend’s opponents. Leeds have only won once in 2018 and Coleman will be determined to avoid adding to that tally.