Cats can Grab wins if they cut out mistakes
STRIKER: STAY SWITCHED ON AND RESULTS WILL COME
LEWIS Grabban says Sunderland need to cut out the “little mistakes” which are undermining them but if they do, they can quickly get out of the relegation zone.
The Black Cats are bottom of the Championship, but if results go their way they could be out of the bottom three by full-time in their next game, at home to Millwall.
To do that, Grabban acknowledges they will need to cut out the errors which are proving so costly.
“We just have to stick with it. The league still hasn’t created a massive gap so if we can get a couple of wins we’ll be out of the relegation zone and can begin looking upwards,” Grabban, who has scored eight goals in 12 games since joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, told the club’s website.
“The last [home] game [a 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers] especially, we thought there was the opportunity to get the win, which we couldn’t because of a few errors.”
The game against Bolton, minutes after which manager Simon Grayson was sacked, highlighted the problems Sunderland are having as they failed to make the most of two Grabban goals.
Their struggles are even greater at the Stadium of Light, where the club have not won in any competition since December 17. In all that time they have not scored the opening goal, Grabban’s brace allowed them to come from behind and take a 2-1 lead against Bolton. “I thought we would go on to win it well. We were passing it well, the goal itself we cut through them quite easily, but for whatever reason we switched off and they were able to score within a couple of minutes [through Gary Madine] and you’re back to square one.
“We’ve been a bit unlucky in some aspects but there are little mistakes that we need to cut out of our game.
“We need to have a bit more responsibility in all areas of the pitch, if we’re able to do that and put the good bits together for the majority of the game then we’ll be fine.”
Grabban was nominated as the PFA’s Championship Player of the Month for October after scoring five goals in four matches on his return from injury.
Leo Bonatini of Wolverhampton Wanderers took the prize after also scoring five times, but Grabban was pleased to be considered.
“It’s always nice to get recognised,” he said.
“I’m pleased to be back in the team and scoring goals after that little spell out, but it’s just about carrying on and doing the best for the team.”