Sunderland need to focus on their own performances and get the job done according to midfielder Lee Cattermole.
The Black Cats are four points adrift of Saturday’s opponents Norwich City with Newcastle United a further two points behind, but as the race for survival enters its final stages Cattermole states Sunderland need to take control of their own destiny and let their opponents worry about themselves.
Victory at Carrow Road would see the pendulum swing back into the Black Cats’ favour due to their one-game advantage over the Canaries, but defeat would see Alex Neil’s side move seven points clear with just five games remaining.
Cattermole isn’t concerned about Norwich of Newcastle though, insisting that if the Lads hold their nerve and pick up the results they’re capable of securing they will secure survival.
“It’s a big game and there is no hiding away from what it means to both clubs,” said Cattermole.
“We have to hold our nerve and put in a strong performance; it might not be pretty but if we can’t win the game we definitely can’t lose it.
“I think throughout the season it should be about results rather than performances, but while performances have been good results haven’t been great so we know what we have to do and it’s about going out there and delivering the points.”
He continued: “We all know the facts, points and everything like that ahead of the game on Saturday, so the boys need to be focused and do the best they can.
“I think you can get carried away looking at what other people are doing and I think you should only concentrate on your own team; if we do what we know we can do and believe we can do we won’t have to worry about what anyone else does.
“We shouldn’t have to look for other people to lose or do us favours because it is all about us and that’s the focus.”
