Start spreading the news – Cats off to New York
SUNDERLAND BOSS TO TAKE SQUAD TO NEW YORK FOR MID-SEASON BREAK
David Moyes is hoping a midseason trip to the Big Apple will have a BIG impact on Sunderland’s survival hopes.
Sunderland face Southampton at the Stadium of Light this weekend but then have an enforced break in the fixtures the following week after they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Burnley.
Moyes has decided to take his squad on a team-bonding visit to New York, with the Sunderland players set to spend four nights in the US early next week.
There are no games planned, instead the players will be taking part in fitness sessions as well as sightseeing, with a trip to see an NBA basketball and NHL ice hockey match likely to be on the itinerary.
Team bonding is the main aim and a chance for January signings Joleon Lescott, Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson to get to know their teammates better.
Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League but the club’s survival hopes were given a massive lift by the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Just two points now separate six teams at the bottom of the Premier League.
After Southampton, Sunderland don’t play again until the trip to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday, February 25.
The FA Cup fifth round takes place on the weekend of the 18th but Sunderland were knocked out of the competition at the third round stage so therefore have a free weekend.
Trips abroad at this time of year are nothing new, former boss Sam Allardyce took his Sunderland squad to Dubai for a training camp this time last year.
That reaped rewards and Moyes will be hoping for similar this time round, with the manager believing a mid-season break will do his players the world of good as they battle against the drop.
Moyes did something similar when he was in charge of Everton, with the Toffees picking up 10 points from 12 on their return to the UK back in March 2011.
Among those enjoying the sights will be Oviedo, who starred in the victory over Place, helping Sunderland to back-to-back clean sheets.
“I’m so happy for the win but we must keep fighting,” he said.
“It’s very important to keep clean sheets and we scored some good goals, so we will look forward to the next game at home against Southampton.”
“I’m so happy for the win but we must keep fighting” BRYAN OVIEDO