Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has delivered his verdict on David Moyes and his old club’s chances of Premier League survival this season.
Under pressure: Sunderland manager David Moyes
The Black Cats have made the worst ever start to a Premier League season with no wins from their opening 10 games and just two points on the board.
They are already eight points adrift of safety with over a quarter of the season gone and Moyes is under intense pressure after replacing Sam Allardyce in the summer.
Sunderland players look dejected
Pundits and fans have been having their say on the club and Moyes with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggesting they are the worst team ever to grace the top flight.
Now Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips – who scored 113 goals in 208 games on Wearside – has delivered his own damning verdict on his old club’s hopes, telling talkSPORT he feels Moyes is setting the wrong example to his players.
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips
“The way they are playing at the moment, the confidence is at such a low,” Phillips told Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast.
“You heard David saying he has sleepless nights Saturday (and that) Sunday’s not very good.
“But what you have to do as staff, you can’t let the players see that your body language is down, you have to come in Monday morning full of life, try and keep the lads buoyant, and try and stay positive, that’s the only thing you can do.
Downbeat Moyes must be more positive says Phillips
“I kind of get fed up talking about it (season after season) because it’s a club that I love and I hate seeing what’s happening there.
“The sooner it gets sorted the better but if it continues the way it is I hate to say it, they’ve been skating on thin ice for the last two or three season, I believe this season could be the one where they get relegated, which will be a big shame.”
Phillips, who also predicted his old team will lose at Bournemouth this weekend, clearly speaks from the heart about the Black Cats and his words will strike a chord with the club’s fans who still idolise him.
A familiar site to Sunderland fans in Phillips’ time at the club
Moyes was criticised earlier this season when he said the club were relegation candidates just two games into the job, as reported by Sky Sports at the time.
Some former players and pundits rounded on the ex-Manchester United boss saying his comments would breed negativity in a dressing room already lacking quality and confidence.
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