Source: Daily_Mail
Sbragia still has titles on his mind at struggling Sunderland
If Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way, Ricky Sbragia would still be sitting beside him in the away dugout at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, continuing his management education under the old master's watchful eye.[LNB]Instead, Sbragia is honing his skills and surviving by the skin of his teeth in his first front-line job with Sunderland. [LNB]You could be forgiven for thinking he still thinks he is employed by ManchesterUnited. [LNB]Asked how he perceived Sunderland's survival chances, he said: 'We are confident we can secure Premier League title.'[LNB]Giggling at his mistake, he added: 'Status I mean, although it would be nice to win the title.' [LNB]Mistake: Sbragia[LNB]The unexpected vacancy for the Sunderland job when Roy Keane left was too good to refuse. Keane's status and mouth put the club on the map, without making much impression on the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]Now, Sbragia has seven games to ensure Sunderland's survival. [LNB]But since the turn of the year the goals have dried up. Eight games have produced just two wins, and the dark clouds which have covered Newcastle all season have descended on Sunderland.[LNB]United's visit will be a rare sell-out for chairman Niall Quinn, who has extended his offer of a £19 season ticket for children when an adult buys a full-price one because thousands are waiting to see which division their team will be in next season before committing.[LNB]Sbragia said: 'We know we have seven difficult games left but everyone in the dressing room believes we can do it. [LNB]'The smiles are still there and the dressing room is good. We are sticking together. They know what is required. There is a lot of belief. [LNB]'The only time you can stop thinking about football is when you sleep. We have lost games and points because we have been naive and we have tried to address that. In the games against Tottenham and Villa we have made the wrong choices and that has cost us. But we can't feel sorry for ourselves.'[LNB]Sunderland can ill afford any mistakes against United tomorrow. If they do not beatHull City and West Bromwich Albion in the following two games, they are doomed.[LNB]Victory over his old employers will jeopardise their title defence, but Sbragia said: 'Wehave to take the game to United and hope the crowd get behind us. We have to try to get in their faces. At least we have to go down fighting.'[LNB] Sbragia fearing the sack as Sunderland stumble towards the ChampionshipThe shadow of Keane still looms large over Sunderland's scrap for survivalHATCHET MAN: Sunderland boss Sbragia should steer clear of BentSUNDERLAND FC
