Sunderland’s players must stick together and give their all for each other if they’re to move up the Premier League table, says John O’Shea.
The captain has played a key role in successive run-ins with the Black Cats avoiding the drop on each occasion, and he sees no reason why history can't repeat itself once more.
This weekend Sunderland face Burnley at the Stadium of Light and they know victory over the Clarets, who have picked up just two points on the road this season, could see them move within three points of safety.
And speaking to the PFA's magazine – 4 The Players – O’Shea explained the importance of team spirit during testing times.
“The last few years when we’ve been able to stay up it’s been because the atmosphere in the dressing room has been positive.
“We stuck together and we’ve been able to cope with difficult times and come through.”
He continued: “We’ve been able to deal with the pressure and put good runs together at vital times – and we’re going to need to be able to do it again this season.
“The manager has big decisions to make because if the squad is fully fit he has to leave people out of the team, and it’s making sure everyone realises it’s for the benefit of everyone and not just the individual – that’s the key to it.
“And, literally, just taking each game as it comes because you can pick up surprise points on the way where people are thinking ‘I didn’t think they’d get a point today’ and that’s a big boost.
“But the biggest thing is the squad being together.”
The PFA's 4 the Player Magazine is available to download on the 20th March from www.thepfa.com.
