Coleman: Cats needed a break
CHRIS Coleman is hoping the international break can provide a welcome distraction for his Sunderland players ahead of a crucial period in the club’s history.
Starting with Derby County away on Good Friday, Sunderland have eight games remaining to make up a five-point deficit and avoid relegation to the third tier for just the second time in the club’s history.
Yet the mood in the Black Cats’ camp is not good of late, and nor is their luck.
There have been no wins for more than two months and it is only the poor form of those around them which has not cut them adrift already.
After another deflating defeat against Preston, Coleman gave the players who did not go away on international duty this weekend off, as much to clear their minds as rest their bodies.
Coleman said: “I am used to being at the other end of it as the international manager so it is a change for me.
“We have a reduced squad with players away so we have integrated with the under-23s to bulk up the sessions.
“We have given the guys a bit of a rest after last Saturday.
“I think it was the mental rest rather than the physical but they came back, had another two days’ solid training and I have given them another two days’ rest before we start building for Derby.”
Coleman added: “I think it has been nice this past weekend to not have a game because in our position we are surrounded by a lot of negativity and we have not been getting results. It is nice to just get away from it completely.
“I suppose it is good for the supporters as well to not have the weekend to fret about things because we have been disappointing them a lot recently.
“Come Monday we are back at it and focusing on Derby.
“Hopefully as the week goes on all our international lads will be back fit and well because that Derby game is a big one.”
The TV cameras will watch as Sunderland roll into Pride Park desperately trying to save their season.
Coleman is well aware there are no more chances now - his Black Cats side simply must start picking up victories.
He said: “It is quite worrying we cannot seem to get away from where we are.
“Nevertheless, with eight games there are still points to be had. There are still opportunities to be had despite them gettng smaller.
“With every game which passes the task gets tougher and tougher, but I think this break has been a welcome one.
“We will recharge our batteries and I think next weekend will be a defining weekend for everybody.
“We have to look at it as though Derby County is our last game of the season and try to get a result.”