Sunderland face their final game for over a week on Saturday when West Ham United travel to the Stadium of Light, and the objective is simple.
Win.
The Black Cats have suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats and currently sit 10 points adrift of safety, but they are making no excuses and know they must do better.
Speaking ahead of the game, midfielder Darron Gibson admitted the Black Cats have become their own worst enemy and must cut out costly errors if they hope to overcome the Hammers.
And it’s a sentiment shared by those in claret and blue, with Slaven Bilic urging his side to build on their priceless 1-0 win over Swansea City when they travel to Wearside.
Victory over the Swans one week ago ended a run of five consecutive defeats for the Hammers, with three points also ensuring they moved eight points clear of Paul Clement’s side.
But despite safety being in sight for the Londoners, Bilic knows any slip ups could prove costly.
Only AFC Bournemouth, Hull City and Swansea have conceded more Premier League goals than the Hammers this term, and they will also be without defensive leader Winston Reid who will miss out due to a groin strain.
At the other end, Bilic will be unable to call upon Michail Antonio who is set to miss the remainder of the campaign, with Pedro Obiang, Angelo Ogbonna and Gokhan Tore also unavailable.
Sam Byram and Aaron Cresswell are both rated as doubts.
Sunderland, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon Seb Larsson following a straight red card against Manchester United last weekend.
Gibson seems the natural replacement but Steven Pienaar did return to the bench against United, so there’s an outside chance the South African midfielder could return.
And Javier Manquillo is also likely to come into the side with Bryan Oviedo out due to a hamstring injury.
John O’Shea is also back on Wearside after missing games against his former club and the preceding outing against Leicester City, but Jan Kirchhoff, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore remain sidelined.
The last meeting between the two sides came in October as Reid’s late winner ensured a heartbreaking defeat for David Moyes’ side, but Sunderland have a habit of making it count when it matters – and when you least expect it.
Ha’way the Lads!
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