Chris Maguire has revealed new boss Phil Parkinson has been clear with his expectations and instructions to the Sunderland squad.
The midfielder, who has scored five goals in 15 appearances this term, starred in the Black Cats’ last home game against Tranmere Rovers.
That night the lads achieved their first clean sheet in the league this term and hit five to record their biggest win on home soil in 21 years.
Despite suffering defeat at Shrewsbury Town last weekend and then a penalty shootout loss to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, Maguire has admitted the message is crystal clear from Parkinson ahead of Saturday’s homecoming.
“We don’t want to get beat at our home,” he said.
“It’s our home for a reason and we want to win every game.
“It might not be possible at times, but we don’t want teams to come to the Stadium of Light and dictate to us.
“That’s important and the manager has drummed it into us.
“If we can get clean sheets, then that gives us a good chance of winning a game,” he continued.
“We have had one this season and maybe that isn’t good enough all round from everybody, but we know now what we have got to do.
“We need to score more and keep more clean sheets at the other end.”