Gus: Let’s make sure we have no excuses

SUNDERLAND players have been told by Gus Poyet not to let this last, golden opportunity to dictate the battle at the bottom pass them by.

The Wearsiders take on Cardiff City at the Stadium of Light tomorrow with the opportunity to build on three great performances against Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea.

A victory would push them through the 30- point mark and leave them within sight of a safe points total.

But the Black Cats have looked a gift horse in the mouth too often this season and Poyet is imploring his players to finally take the chance that they’ve earned with all their hard work against the top teams.

“I think it is amazing that we are still in it,” he said.

“And what we are trying to do is convince the players how lucky we are to be bottom of the table, but playing in front of a massive crowd this weekend where if we win we will look like heroes.

“So we are driving home to them that this is a wonderful situation and they have to make the most of it.”

Sunderland have come up short many times against their relegation rivals this season.

And the Uruguayan says he has no interest in looking for reasons after Sunday’s game as to why things went wrong again; only for why things went right.

“I think we think now we have a great chance of maybe surviving, so let’s take it: no excuses.

“We have had opportunities before and not taken them – this time we do need to take it.

“If you had given me this chance a month ago or a week ago, I would have taken it.

“Now we are at home on Sunday with everything set up for us in terms of three of our last four games being at home. “Any club would take that. “So the aim is to be focused and do the job right – we do not want to let another opportunity pass and I think we are determined that we won’t.”