Bardsley struggles to explain away day blues

30 November 2009 09:35
NOT for the first time this season Phil Bardsley was at a loss to explain his team's indifferent form away from the Stadium of Light.[LNB] The Sunderland defender was one of only a few players to have done himself any justice in the 1-0 defeat at Wigan and one of only a few brave enough to speak after the humbling result.[LNB] It's disappointing to come away from home and play like that, said the 24-year-old fullback.[LNB] In the first half we weren't good enough. In the second half we had a go but we lacked a cutting edge and we got punished for it. It was a sloppy goal and you can't give goals away like that in this league, as we found out.[LNB] When the Black Cats earned a smash and grab at the Reebok on the opening day of the new season there was no suggestion they would struggle so badly on their travels. This was no more emphasised when they claimed a 2-2 draw against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford a game they deserved to win.[LNB] But it seems Sunderland players have a major problem motivating themselves for matches against teams outside the big four.[LNB] I don't know if that's it, I can't put my finger on it myself,[LNB] said Bardsley at the suggestion.[LNB] It's a team thing, it's not just individuals. It's no good one or two turning up and not the rest.[LNB] It was a disappointing day but we've got to dust ourselves and get on with it. It was especially disappointing for the manager coming back to his former club.[LNB] Supporters' expectations have been raised by the results at Old Trafford and at home against Liverpool and Arsenal, which sees them lying eighth in the Premier League.[LNB] But the Wearsiders' inconsistency threatens to undermine the good progress.[LNB] I think we have to sort our away form out before we can think about Europe, added the Salford born defender.[LNB] It's no good us beating Liverpool and Arsenal, getting a point at Manchester United, then going to places like this and dropping points.[LNB] I'm disappointed for everyone but if we react in the right way we can put it right.[LNB] Overall we weren't good enough.[LNB] I don't think they (Wigan) were great to be quite honest.[LNB] I thought they were very average, which shows how bad we were.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo