Source: Telegraph
Sunderland urged to prove their worth against Everton
Sbragia's hopes of securing the club's Premier League status suffered a demoralising setback when they lost 3-0 at lowly West Bromwich Albion last weekend and the Scot is demanding a major improvement from his charges this Sunday when he pits his wits against David Moyes. [LNB]"Teemu Tainio did well but in general we were all poor against West Brom and the rest were well short down at the Hawthorns and thoroughly deserved what we got but on Sunday we've got to be stronger collectively," Sbragia said. [LNB] Related ArticlesWest Brom 3 Sunderland 0Premier League tableRelegation run-inRicky Sbragia: My Sunderland job is on lineTony Mowbray fears the end is near for West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom send wretched Sunderland closer to the drop"If you are not going to go out there and compete and be honest you deserve to lose and that's what happened. That's the most disappointing factor." [LNB]Sbragia, whose side are fifth bottom of the Premier League, added: "I'm happy we've got that game out of our system. We looked at the West Brom game late on Monday and said that's it. We showed the players where we went wrong and then we started getting prepared for Everton.[LNB]"For 35 minutes they thought it was a formality that the game could come our way. We were trying to get them to up the tempo but they didn't do that. After the second goal we lost our shape, spirit and work ethic but I wouldn't say they went out there disinterested. [LNB]"We didn't do anything that we should have done and that was the worrying thing about it. We hope now that they are really up for it against Everton in what is a really big game. We need the opposite of what happened at West Brom so they are ready for a big game. [LNB]"There weren't too many at it last weekend."[LNB]Sbragia will be without goalkeeper Craig Gordon plus defenders George McCartney and Nyron Nosworthy due to injury when they take on the FA Cup finalists. [LNB]"The performance at Hull was a very good one and we need to get back to the level because we need to get points on the board as soon as possible," Sbragia added. [LNB]"Our position in the table is a concern but I would much prefer to be in our position than Middlesbrough or Newcastle." [LNB]"I'm not going to put out a points target but we know we need points and we know we need them soon. The four games we've got are going to be very difficult because all the teams are fighting for something. [LNB]"A lot of people are saying Everton will have their minds on the FA Cup final but I'm sure David Moyes will tell his players to start performing and I might select you for the final. They will be very professional." [LNB]
