safc.com catch up with Patrick van Aanholt to reflect on back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
The Dutchman also congratulated Jermain Defoe following a top-flight milestone, while also sharing his thoughts on a testing trip to Liverpool.
I’m sure after back-to-back wins everyone is feeling good?
PvA: “Yeah of course. Winning at Bournemouth was great but winning Saturday was even better. It’s always nice to win and we’d had a few games where we’d played alright but didn’t come away with three points, so to take maximum points from two games was great for the team.”
There has always been a positivity in the camp but this winning momentum must have given everyone a big lift?
PvA: “The mood was always good but now we’ve started winning our mentality is starting to change. I feel we’re getting better as a team and I think we’re improving with every game, but it hurts when you don’t win games so we want to keep picking up three points on a regular basis.”
How good was it to win at the Stadium of Light again?
PvA: “It was nice – especially because 3-0 is a big win – and I think we did it for the fans as well because they’ve been waiting for it. They’ve supported us since day one and we know it’s hard for them when we lose, but they’ve stuck with us and they always support us so its great to give them three points.”
Jermain scored his 150th Premier League goal against Hull; how big an achievement is that?
PvA: “I’m very happy for him because he’s a role model for the team. He is a true professional but what he’s achieved in the game is far from done, and I think he can go on to achieve even more and score a lot more goals. He’s only going to get higher and higher in that list and I’ve never seen a striker perform like he performs at his age. He does it week in, week out.”
He’s not the only striker scoring at the moment which must really help the team?
PvA: “Victor is helping the team a lot and we have two incredibly strong boys up front which helps the team push forward. He’s strong in the air but even stronger on the ball and all strikers love to score goals, so it’s good for him and good for the team that he’s enjoying his football and playing well.”
A trip to Liverpool is next up and it’ll not doubt be a tough game?
PvA: “We can be very positive when we go there because we’re winning games and scoring goals. Liverpool are a top team and they're second in the league because not many people can beat them, but we will go there with the same mentality we take everywhere and that it to win the game. If we can’t and that’s not possible we will try not to lose and make sure we get a point."
Is it important that we don’t sit back against Liverpool and test their defence?
PvA: “We need to make life as difficult as we can for them – both defensively and offensively. We will do our jobs as individuals and as a team but we know we can create chances even if we have to wait for them, so we will stick together and work hard as a unit.”