Survival not cups for Poyet
SUNDERLAND advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals but manager Gus Poyet still placed a higher premium on Premier League survival.
They’ll be in the hat for today’s draw and are gearing up to face Manchester City in the Capital One Cup Final in a fortnight.
Poyet made nine changes to his team and was thrilled with the 1-0 win over Southampton.
The Black Cats now face three re-arranged fixtures in the League as they attempt to reach safety.
“Personally, I would prefer to stay in the League,” said the Uruguayan.
“Apparently I would be famous if we won the Cup, but I’d be devastated if we went down.”
GUS POYET would prefer Premier League survival, but he’s not turning his nose up at Sunderland’s fine Cup form this season.
They are already in the League Cup Final and are now in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after beating Southampton, but they face 13 games to save their top-flight status.
This win means the match at Liverpool on March 10 will be postponed and the Black Cats will have to re-arrange three League fixtures in a hectic last two months of the season.
Cup progress wasn’t on the Uruguayan’s agenda when he took over the mess left by Paolo Di Canio, but he knows there’s nothing better than winning games.
“When I first came here, there was only one thing on my mind — the Premier League,” he said.“I didn’t even think about the cups, but it looks like we’re now a cup team, so let’s see what the draw brings.
“The congestion is not the best but it’s part and parcel of football. It’s true that we’re going to need everybody.
“The good thing is that in the next two weeks we have to play Arsenal and Manchester City, that’s all.
“I want the team to feel they can win games against any team. That feeling wasn’t here when I arrived. There was a fear of losing. Personally, I would prefer to stay in the League. Apparently I would be famous if we won the Cup but I’d be devastated if we went down.”
Southampton suffered a second cup exit at Sunderland’s hands this season and assistant manager Jesus Perez reckoned the Saints’ attitude saw them get what they deserved.
“We’re not so much disappointed as just a little sad,” he admitted.