Gus Poyet has voiced concern over Sunderland’s ability to sustain their strong Premier League start despite hailing their progress under Le Bris
Gus Poyet took charge of 75 Sunderland matches before leaving in 2015.
Gus Poyet took charge of 75 Sunderland matches before leaving in 2015.
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Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has expressed concern over whether the Black Cats can sustain their impressive Premier League form this season.
Sunderland have collected 17 points from their opening nine fixtures, and victory against Everton today could lift Regis Le Bris’s side to second, just five points behind leaders Arsenal.
In recent seasons, all three promoted clubs have been relegated straight back to the Championship. Alongside Leeds and Burnley, Sunderland are aiming to buck that trend.
The Black Cats have already beaten Southampton's points tally last year, and are nine points away from beating Leicester and Ipswich's too. The Sunderland fans are enjoying their time in the Premier League so far, but it hasn't been easy for the Stadium of Light faithful in recent years.
Sunderland endured back-to-back relegations a few years ago, dropping them to League One where they spent four seasons. Former manager Poyet was asked whether the club needed to drop down divisions to come back stronger.
Sunderland have defied all expectations this Premier League season
Sunderland have defied all expectations this Premier League season(Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
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Speaking with Chronicle Live via Casino.org, known for helping Brits find reliable online casinos, the Uruguayan boss responded: “Not really, but it was hard. It was very hard. I remember when I was there, it was very hard. I was trying to convince people to change, that something was coming back. We were too many years playing with fire. One year you get safe, another year it was safe and it was a problem.
“I was never expecting to go two years in a row down. That's for sure. That was a shock. Then when you go down there, I know how difficult it is to come up and how long it can take.
"Leaving all that behind, I am delighted we didn't start in the Premier League. It was so difficult the last few years for the clubs coming from the Championship to do well in the Premier League.
“Nobody knows how is the best way to approach, maintain the group, add a few, buy 100 million pounds players. It was all waiting to see. I think the decision of the club, the directors, the sport directors, the coach, to buy players with certain characteristics to play in a certain way.
“It was amazing. That's why they started with the work of the coach during pre-season. Making sure that the momentum from last year continues into the start of the Premier League.”
On whether Sunderland will stay up this season, Poyet added: “I think after the start, yes. Because the last few years, the last two years I think, the three teams that were down, they got some points. But you could see straight away that they had no chance.
“Teams that won't even make 20 points. To start in this way gives you something extra. The only thing I'm worried about, especially with the new players, is that when you're going to a new country and the best league in the world, the adrenaline is...
“You're flying. But there is a moment, depending on you, November, winter, that you're going to go... Now, that's the time that you need to get points.
“Nick points, whatever you can, or have a good fixture. Because that is normal. That is going to happen. Or to be lucky that maybe two, they go down when the other two are still on fire and mix it. But it's a great start. I think they had a great chance.
“I'm not so sure about Leeds. I'm still not seeing why it's going to happen. Maybe, maybe not. But I think Sunderland got a great chance, yes.”
Sunderland face Everton tonight, with Le Bris hoping for this third Premier League win in a row. The two teams last faced each other in 2017 in the EFL Cup.
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