Jordan Pickford has underlined the importance of Sunderland’s upcoming Premier League games against AFC Bournemouth and Hull City.
The stopper has received rave reviews since replacing the injured Vito Mannone in the Black Cats’ starting XI, with his impressive form rewarded in the shape of an England call-up during the October international break.
Back on Wearside the club are still searching for a first Premier League win, with Pickford also focussed on earning a first clean sheet of the campaign.
But he’s hoping he can end both waits when Sunderland travel to Bournemouth on Saturday.
“Saturday’s game at Bournemouth gives us a good chance to pick up three points and head into the international break on a high,” said the 22-year-old.
“The mood within the camp is good but nobody likes losing games, so it’s up to us to get a result which would lift the fans and get a real buzz around the city ahead of the game against Hull City.”
He continued: “Defeat was tough to take against Arsenal but we performed well during parts of the game and anything you take from a top six club is a bonus.
“We have to do our jobs against the teams around us and we’re fully capable of beating them, so the challenge is to take something from the game this weekend and build on it after the break.
“We have a good bunch of lads and everybody is pulling in the same direction.”