Source: Northern_Echo
Cana keen to see Cats get the balance right
LORIK CANA feels Sunderland should follow Carlo Ancelotti's lead in a bid to find a solution to the travel sickness preventing the Wearside outfit from closing in on the top four.[LNB] Saturday's defeat at Wigan further highlighted Sunderland's weakness this season, when impressive results have been followed by disappointment when it is least expected.[LNB] The Black Cats might have started the season under Steve Bruce with a victory at Bolton, but since that afternoon they have picked up just one more point out of a possible 18 points on the road.[LNB] Cana has been puzzled by the record, particularly given the euphoria following wins over Arsenal and Liverpool.[LNB] But the Albanian skipper took note when the illustrious Ancelotti revealed his secret to the Blues' outstanding start to life under him, in the aftermath of Chelsea's comfortable success at title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.[LNB] I saw something interesting that was said by Carlo Ancelotti he said the most important thing to a team is balance. I think that is exactly right, said Cana. At Sunderland, we do not have that yet in some away games.[LNB] What is the balance For me, we need to work harder.[LNB] When you are in good moments and are on the attack, you should do that as well as you can but in the difficult moments of the game you need to work together and work hard on the defensive part as well.[LNB] We know we are better than our performance at Wigan. That is why we are frustrated. We have had a lot of opportunities in the past maybe to have six points more. It's about what more we can do.[LNB] There is a big difference between our home and away performances and it is important that we find a solution for that. It is about mentality.[LNB] Each player has to bring a little bit more to the pitch to improve our performance levels away from home.[LNB] While Sunderland's defeat to Chelsea was their only home defeat this season, Cana has been frustrated by losses suffered at Stoke, Burnley, Birmingham and now Wigan.[LNB] His first season at Sunderland is a far cry from his last at Marseille, where he only lost once away from home before making a £5m move to the North-East.[LNB] We were good at home and away, said Cana, who led Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season. I will try to bring that experience to Sunderland and help to put it right. It's not the same league but with Marseille.[LNB] It is different here. Every time you play away, the home team tries really, really hard to put pressure on you from the first whistle. We must find a solution for these sort of games.[LNB] I don't think we are far away from being right I don't think it will be too hard to start winning games away from home but we need a solution and we need a solution as soon as possible. Why not this weekend[LNB] Having witnessed at first hand just what Sunderland are capable of, Cana feels the defeat at Wigan offers an indication the players have lacked a degree of self-belief.[LNB] I think it is a mental thing and it is also about confidence,[LNB] he said. We have a lot of confidence as a team and in each other but we have to show that in every game.[LNB] I think the answer is to play with the right mentality and to have that balance back.[LNB] Tickets for Sunderland's away fixtures at Manchester City and Blackburn have sold out. Tickets are still available for the visit to Chelsea on Saturday, January 16.[LNB]
