Source: Northern_Echo
Gordon says away form key to Black Cats’ season
CRAIG GORDON believes Sunderland's improved away form is a big reason why they sit in seventh place in the Premier League and thinks if they can continue to get points on the road they can stay there all season.[LNB] Compared to the whole last season, when they only picked up ten points on their travels, the Black Cats have already amassed seven points so far this season and look comfortably in the top half of the table.[LNB] A year ago, a top half finish was the aim but a dip in form which saw Steve Bruce's men go 14 games without a win ruined their chances.[LNB] Despite losing 3-2 to Wolves in their last away game, the Wearsiders have gained some valuable points on the road, including a win against champions Chelsea and draws at Liverpool, Tottenham and Blackburn.[LNB] Gordon made his comeback from injury at White Hart Lane in a game the Black Cats could have won and the Scottish international insists they must continue to pick points up away from home if they want to stay where they are.[LNB] It's an old cliche but it's relevant again. We've got an away game coming up and we want to keep our away form going, the former Hearts man said.[LNB] We've picked up a few more away points this year than we did last year at this stage away from home so that's the reason we're so far up the league at this stage.[LNB] You've got to pick up points away from home because at the Stadium of Light we get more than our fair share.[LNB] We've got another away game next week so we'll try and take something from that game because we have to try and keep the scoreboard ticking over.[LNB] We've not targeted specific games but we need to keep grinding out results and getting the points ticking on the scoreboard.[LNB] It would be nice to at least still be where we are by the New Year but we know it's going to be a difficult run of games and we have to take each one as they come.[LNB] Since making his comeback after a long spell on the side lines, Gordon has kept two clean sheets including Sunday's win over West Ham and the shot stopper reveals he was relieved the Black Cats held on to claim all three points after a disappointing result at Wolves the week before.[LNB] We didn't choose to protect the one-goal lead but at times in the second half it looked like that, Gordon said.[LNB] With ten minutes to go we had settled to win the game 1- 0 and it's nice when you manage to close it out. We have thrown a few points away from leading positions.[LNB] Whenever we've had a bad result or a performance where we've not quite done ourselves justice we have bounced back and it was a nice victory, one we felt we had to win after last week. It was nice to get back on the road with three points.[LNB] With Saturday's trip to Fulham the beginning of a busy festive period in the Premier League, Gordon admits it will be a test of how strong Sunderland's squad is and believes it is a chance for every player to show their worth.[LNB] There are so many games over Christmas, everyone's going to have to play their part, Gordon said.[LNB] We've got a great quality squad more than able to come in play their part.[LNB] There's going to be a lot of fixtures and a lot of injuries and suspensions so we're going to need everybody to step up and play games over this period.[LNB]
