Source: Eurosport
Strikers will save us - Sbragia
Ricky Sbragia is backing Sunderland's misfiring strikers to come good in the last few games of the season.
Kenwyne Jones' goal against Manchester United last weekend was his first in seven games while Djibril Cisse has scored only one league goal this year.The pair have bagged just five goals between them since December but Sbragia has given them a vote of confidence ahead of Hull's visit to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
"Kenwyne and Djib are important players to us. Last Saturday they played well together, showing what a threat they can be, but we need more days like that," Sbragia said.
"The goal will give Kenwyne a lot of confidence and Djib can feel part of that because the two of them were very good and did everything we asked of them.
"We could do with Cisse getting a goal as well - he has been a bit unlucky on one or two occasions - but his time will come and we hope that comes against Hull.
"Like most strikers he thrives on goals and, the more you have, the more confidence you have about things. We won't take him out of the firing line."
Cisse, who has gone eight games without a goal, added: "Of course I need one, it's a long time since I scored but it's going to come. I just need to score the first one."
Sbragia reckons Sunderland's fans will have a huge part to play in what promises to be a tense relegation battle. A crowd of around 42,000 is expected, including 3,000 from Humberside.
"I thought our fans were great against Manchester United and it helped us both as a team and individually," he said.
"We've got to do something for them, show more commitment, and I think we did that last Saturday.
"The fans have been great all season. They had a right to have a go against Wiganbut apart from that they've been outstanding and got behind us.
"We have to give them something now. I'd like to make the Stadium of Light a place teams don't like to visit. We'd hoped for that at the start of the season but we haven't done too well at home."
Sunderland go to West Brom after taking on Hull and it promises to be a big fortnight for the men from Wearside.
"We've just got six big games ahead, three of which are at home, and we need to get points on the board," said Sbragia.
Sbragia admits he is struggling to enjoy life in the manager's seat after taking over from Roy Keane in December and managing four wins in 17 Premier League games.
"I don't think you enjoy being a manager, to be honest," he admitted.
"The only time you can enjoy it is when you're winning a lot of games and in the top six.
"If you get a good result, or a performance like we did last week, then it's fantastic. This week has been enjoyable but we've got to deal with Saturday now.
"You live and die by results and we need a good result against Hull."
