Source: SKY_Sports
Sbragia shocked by standing
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia admits he is shocked to be involved in a relegation battle.
The Black Cats boss had a dream start after succeeding Roy Keane in January on a caretaker basis, steering his side to victories over West Brom and Hull City after a last gasp defeat to Manchester United.
A goalless draw with Blackburn soon after that prompted chairman Niall Quinn to offer Sbragia the manager's post on a permanent basis.
However, Sunderland now find themselves in the thick of a relegation battle with only three games remaining.
UnexpectedAsked if he expected to be involved in a survival battle when he first took over at the Stadium of Light, Sbragia said: "No, not at all.
"We kicked on and I had the feeling we would get some sort of response from them. But we have been disappointing over the last nine games now.
"I have been really disappointed. I hope we don't think we are safe - I have always thought we have never been safe, to be truthful.
"We haven't had a really great team performance, and it is a concern."
SlumpHaving won just one of their last 10 league games, Sunderland have plummeted down the league standings.
Now only four points clear of the drop zone, Sbragia will be hoping to take as much as possible from the trips to Bolton and Portsmouth before welcoming Chelsea to the Stadium of Light.
Reflecting on a disappointing spell, Sbragia said: "It's been frustrating for the last 10 weeks.
"We have always had the chance to do something, we have not quite managed that and that has been the really disappointing thing about it.
"I always think it is in our hands, but we haven't taken it and we need to take it soon because we could get caught.
"It's difficult, it's hard. (But) I am very positive, I know we will stay up, I believe that, I totally believe it."
