Sunderland host Burnley in the Premier League on Monday evening.
The Black Cats and the Clarets both earned promotion from the Championship last term, but have since enjoyed vastly differing fortunes in the top flight. While Regis Le Bris’ side have arguably been one of the success stories of the campaign, and are widely acknowledged to have played their way clear of a relegation threat, Parker’s men are currently 10 points adrift of safety with just 15 fixtures left to contest.
And speaking in a press conference ahead of Burnley’s trip to Wearside, their head coach was quick to hail Sunderland for their adaptation to life in the Premier League.
What did Burnley boss Scott Parker say about Sunderland?
Addressing the media, Parker said: “They've done incredible. They've done really well. Obviously, invested a huge amount of money and probably seen a totally different squad to the squad they were last year, but they've done very, very well. I think momentum for them, obviously, early on in the season when they picked up points as well has probably pushed them as well.
“So, we’re going to a tough place, like we know. We went there last year, a stadium that is hostile as well. We know what we're coming up against, albeit a very different team to the one we faced, but we faced them already this year and got a positive result. So, we're looking forward to that game on Monday.”
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When asked about the importance of momentum, Parker continued: “Massive, really. Our fixtures at the start of the season were pretty tough. Of course they were. We were the finest of margins - I get that I say that, people want to probably dilute that - but those were the facts. There were some fine margins in terms of results... For every positive result we had, we had a monster of an opposition. We didn't manage to then capitalise on that for reasons of the quality of what we came up against.
“But, for sure, momentum is key. I feel that we've got this at this present moment in time. That's why the weekend [a late 2-2 draw against Tottenham] is a little bit disappointing, because you're coming off the back of two really, really positive results - Man Utd and going to Anfield and getting that result - and then so close against Spurs that it could have just been that springboard. I still believe it is. I'm not saying that. I still totally believe it is. We're coming off the back of three really positive results. But, for sure, momentum is key.”
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