Sunderland have had a poor start to the season which leaves them bottom of the Premier League.
Sunderland’s Steven Pienaar receives medical treatment
Sunderland midfielder Steven Pienaar has said the spirit in the squad is high after ‘honest’ clear the air talks following their disappointing start to the season, the Sunderland Echo reports.
The Black Cats are facing the prospect of another relegation battle having started the campaign with just two points from their opening eight games.
Pienaar stated that they hope the discussion helps the side move on from their poor start. He’s quoted in the Sunderland Echo: “We are the first ones to take responsibility and we thought it was good to just sit down and face each other and open up about the situation.
Sunderland’s Steven Pienaar comes on as a substitute to replace Paddy McNair
“It was honest. Honesty is what we need. We can’t hide behind things. What we are doing, it has not been working for us.
“We need to get out of it and work together as a team.
After the disappointment of not picking up anything from last weekend’s defeat to Stoke City – with the Potters managing to pick up their first win of the season in the process – Sunderland will feel the pressure is on to come away from their trip to West Ham with at least something to show for their efforts.
Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri in action
While injuries have inevitably had an effect, Sunderland haven’t helped themselves with their inability to keep clean sheets, and goals only coming from two players so far this season in Jermain Defoe and Patrick van Aanholt.
All aspects of their play need to see significant improvement over the coming weeks in order for the side to build a platform to ensure they can preserve their Premier League status for another season.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe gestures
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