David Moyes admits relegation battle is tough to take

Posted Thursday, April 27, 2017 by Skysports.com

David Moyes admitted the race for survival was taking its toil as Sunderland edged closer to relegation with defeat at Middlesbrough.

The Black Cats - rooted to the foot of the table, 12 points from safety - will drop into the Sky Bet Championship if they lose to Bournemouth next time out and Hull avoid defeat to Southampton.

"We will continue fighting as long as we can, we know the position isn't good and as every game goes past is makes things harder," Moyes told Sky Sports.

"I felt tonight this was one we had to win but we've got another chance to win on Saturday, let's hope we can put in a similar performance that leads to goals and three points.

"I'm finding it tough because I'm used to winning and being at the other end of the table.

"But life and football gives you opportunities to see what other things are like. I can't say I'm enjoying it, though, that's for sure."

Sunderland got off to a good start at the Riverside Stadium but their early endeavour was erased after eight minutes when Marten de Roon scored the game's decisive goal.

Despite being pleased with the overall performance, Moyes expressed his disappointment with his defence's part in the goal - and how his side failed to test Boro stopper Brad Guzan.

"I'm really disappointed because we started great and played well throughout the game," he added.

"But we gave away a poor goal, John [O'Shea] and Billy [Jones] were a couple of yards out of position and that was disappointing.

"But after that, we came back, tried to do the right things and passed and kept the ball well enough.

"The performance deserved more, quite a few of our performances recently have deserved more. But when things aren't going for you that's what happens.

"Somehow you've got to turn those decent performances into points and goal, which we weren't able to do today.

"Guzan didn't have enough to do in either half but we certainly deserved something out of the game.

"We gave up two opportunities in the whole game, we've had some that weren't clean or clean enough but it wasn't for the want of trying."