Kevin Danso in conversation with Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris at the Academy of Light (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)
Kevin Danso in conversation with Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris at the Academy of Light (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)
KEVIN DANSO insists Sunderland’s players have not lost their collective belief despite Saturday’s home defeat to Brighton plunging them to within a point of the Premier League relegation zone.
Second-half goals from Maxim de Cuyper and Jaouen Hadjam enabled ten-man Brighton to claim all three points at the Stadium of Light, with the result meaning the Black Cats still boast just one league victory this season.
Their form in the cup competitions has been excellent, but their league form is beginning to become a worry. Nevertheless, ahead of a week which will feature Sunderland first European away game in more than half-a-century as they head to Portugal to face Torreense, Danso is more than happy with the mood within the camp.
“We always try to avoid all the negative noise,” said the summer signing from Spurs. “I felt until we conceded, we were able to create some chances. Everyone can say what they want, but it is up to us to get our heads down.
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“We believe in ourselves. We know the quality that we have, so it is up to us to turn good performances, which we had against some of the top sides, into points, and also when we are playing bad, to grind out wins.”
Sunderland’s weekend defeat came as they were missing Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey, who both suffered hamstring injuries while on international duty in the recent break.
Nordi Mukiele moved across to centre-half to cover for Ballard, with Trai Hume starting at right-back, while Wilson Isidor deputised for Brobbey in attack. The Haitian striker did not really threaten the Brighton goal, but Danso is confident Sunderland can score without Brobbey in the team.
“Wilson can definitely step up,” he said. “He is a top player. You could see how good Brobbey was against Arsenal and Man City - Wilson is not the same profile, but they are both very good players and I am sure Wilson will step up just like Brian has.
“We all have responsibilities. As defenders, it is up to us to keep clean sheets, and it is up to the strikers to get as many goals as possible. We are very critical of ourselves.”