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David Moyes calls on his Sunderland side to be resilient

Sunderland manager David Moyes before the match (REUTERS)
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Sunderland were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Southampton and are currently bottom of the Premier League.

Sunderland manager David Moyes

Sunderland manager David Moyes has called for his side to be resilient in order to turn their season around, the Sunderland Echo reports.

The Black Cats were knocked out of the EFL Cup last night with a 1-0 defeat to Southampton at St Mary’s.

His side are also struggling in the Premier League, having picked up just two points from their opening nine games this season, leaving them bottom of the table.

Sunderland manager David Moyes before the match

Following the defeat to Southampton, Moyes is quoted in the Sunderland Echo, saying: “We have the ability to stay in touch in games, we want to improve our ability to play a bit better.

“We need to be hard to beat and be resilient. They showed that at times to be resilient last season.

“I want to try to win games but I want us to stay hard to beat to try to pick up points.”

Sunderland's Lamine Kone in action with Southampton's Olufela Olomola

Six of Sunderland’s eight defeats so far this season have only been by the odd goal, so Moyes does have a point with regards to his side being able to stay in touch in games.

But they need more than just resilience. There was nothing that could be done for Sofiane Boufal’s effort but the side is still leaking goals and there are improvements that need to be made in defence.

Sunderland's Victor Anichebe looks dejected

There is a problem at the other end of the field as well as Jermain Defoe seems to be the only real threat in the final third, although Victor Anichebe seemed to impress the manager during the defeat on the south coast.

While resilience is an important quality for Moyes’ side to have, he needs a bit more than that in the months ahead.