CATS ARE IN A FLAP
Gibson: Every game’s nerve-wracking for us
SUNDERLAND v BARNSLEY Stadium of Light, 3pm DARRON GIBSON admits nerves are jangling at the Stadium of Fright where Sunderland face a six-pointer against Barnsley today.
Gibson starred for Chris Coleman’s men in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Forest to edge out of the drop zone – but the Black Cats realise they are in a dogfight.
The Ireland midfielder said: “Every game’s nerve-wracking when you’re in our position.
“Sometimes when you go in front you get a bit nervous and you start to drop deep, which we did against Forest, but I think we defended a lot better.” Sunderland are out of the relegation zone on goal difference – with Barnsley just one point clear of them.
The Wearsiders were hounded by the Tykes when the sides last met in August, crashing to a 3-0 defeat at Oakwell that left visiting fans fuming.
Sunderland have shown their claws more under new boss Coleman – and Gibson thinks they can now start climbing the table.
The ex-Manchester United man said: “Sealing back-to-back wins now, for the first time this season, could be a turning point.
“If we can win two on the spin and jump a couple of places up the table, the confidence builds a bit and we can kick on from there.”
Paul Heckingbottom (inset) insists he remains confident in his players as they look to end a 10match winless run. The Barnsley boss said: “Sunderland is a big game. This season we’ve had to be the best team to win games. “Hopefully in 2018 we can win a few games when we’re not on top. “This run needs to be sorted out at the earliest opportunity, but it stretches back longer for me. We’re a brand new team with new players. “We rose so quickly then dismantled it so quickly that we are starting again in one of the toughest leagues in the world. “It frustrates me massively, but I believe in these players.” Heckingbottom wants his men to focus on the business end of the pitch, and said: “There’s lots of good stuff but also a big deficiency to attack the ball in the box.”