Admittedly the blow to morale could be rather large so let's put this down as yet another "must not lose" game. In the past I've declared matches "must not lose", then we go and lose anyway, despite half the time playing well. But sadly the fact of the matter is that we can't really use that excuse anymore. This season we've already exhausted our quota of matches where we play good stuff, dominate the possession, create plenty of chances but still walk home with nothing. It's time to start converting potential into points and, with all disrespect intended, Sunderland are hardly the best team in the Premiership this year. We NEED to be getting something from these sort of games, especially with such a nightmare run on the horizon.
Perrin has this week told his players that they have to "play without fear" after Brian Priske's admission that the squad were starting to get nervous if they took the lead in a game, almost sensing that it would somehow slip away. Whatever happened to Positive Mental Attitude, people?! I suppose if you're in a bit of a rut and losing frustratingly week in week out then eventually you're going to start feeling like the world is against you, but if we start to get into the mindset of "oh, we're going to lose anyway" then we're in trouble. Really big trouble.
Another pain in the arse is injuries. It's all very well and good planning to stick two or three men up front and "going for broke", but Dario Silva is still the only fully fit striker. Todorov and Mbesuma are getting there whilst Karadas is still injured, so expect to see Vukic playing in the hole behind again. Salif Diao is aiming for a recall and has been training since Tuesday, but Andy O'Brien is a big doubt after picking up a knock in the week. In that case, I'd expect Griffin to deputise in the middle.
In the build up to the last few matches we've had all the predictable natter from the players - we're going to do such and such, we're determined to prove so and so, it's time for this that and the other. The time for big words off the pitch has got to stop and the time for positive performances ending in goals and points on it has to begin. As always on the road a draw will be acceptable, but a defeat is very bad news and Alain will be starting to chew his fingernails and regardless of what Milan says, I know it, you know it, everyone knows it, he probably hasn't got much time left if we throw this one away.
No pressure, then...