Sunderland vs Southampton - Sam Allardyce preaches caution at Sunderland - 7M sport

Sunderland vs Southampton - Sam Allardyce preaches caution at Sunderland



Posted Saturday, November 07, 2015 by PA

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has warned his struggling Black Cats side not to go "gung-ho" in their quest to claw themselves out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Allardyce has set his players a distinctly modest target of four points from their next five games as the first part of his long-term masterplan to leave them clear of the bottom three by May.

He insists the understandable desire to chase three points came back to bite them in last week's second-half collapse at Everton - and believes caution is very much key to their survival prospects.

Ahead of Saturday's Stadium of Light clash with Southampton, Allardyce branded last week's 6-2 loss at Goodison Park "irresponsible" and insisted: "We have got to learn the lessons of going gung-ho.

"That's what we did - we said, we'll go and win it, and we've got to be more responsible. We're not in a position where we have to win our next game - we are more in a position where we must not lose it.

"If we get a point then we should respect it, because another point after that will eventually lead to a win and that breeds confidence. If you continue to go for a win and end up losing, then you're in a pickle."

Allardyce's plans for the weekend have been hit by the absence of Lee Cattermole who limped off with a groin injury last weekend and will not be fit to face the Saints.

But there is better news with four players - Ola Toivonen, John O'Shea, Fabio Borini and Younes Kaboul - all available having recovered the minor injuries that kept them sidelined last week.

Ronald Koeman has challenged Dusan Tadic to back up his claims he is now better equipped to cope with the Premier League's unforgiving winter.

The Serbia playmaker set an impressive early pace in the first half of his debut season at Southampton, but struggled to cope with the relentless winter schedule.

Tadic has vowed to learn from the spate of injuries he suffered at the tail-end of last season, as he adjusted to his first campaign without a winter break.

Saints boss Koeman is impressed by the 26-year-old's resolve, but admitted the jury will be out until the new year on whether he can stay the course this term.

"I think it's too early to judge that," Koeman said.

"At this time last year Tadic was fantastic and he was starting with physical problems in December, January.

"Wait until January and ask me again."

Victor Wanyama will miss the trip to the north-east after picking up a one-match ban.

Wanyama was sent off for a second bookable offence towards the end of last week's victory over Bournemouth, and Harrison Reed could step up to the team for the clash against Sam Allardyce's men.

Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long are once again unable to feature despite both forwards inching towards full fitness after knee and foot injuries respectively.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.