Angry Advocaat demands response
Dick Advocaat has warned his Sunderland players they are in trouble if they cannot summon up the aggression to avoid another Barclays Premier League survival fight.
The Dutchman admitted his shock at the Black Cats' capitulation at Leicester on the opening day of the season last Saturday, when they conceded three times inside 14 first-half minutes to surrender any chance of a positive result.
Video analysis during the week made for painful viewing for the 67-year-old and his squad, but Advocaat was pulling no punches ahead of Saturday's home clash with promoted Norwich.
Asked if he had been shocked by the performance at the King Power Stadium, he said: "Yes, I was.
"In pre-season, we did not see a lot of good games - winning, losing, losing, winning, but not with convincing football.
"The last game against Hannover was a little bit better, more organisation, but there is no excuse for the way we played (against Leicester).
"If we think we can play that way, then we have no chance at all.
"If this team, this squad doesn't work and there is no aggression in the team to get the ball and to do something more, then we will find it very difficult.
"But we have discussed that and tomorrow they have to show me what they can do."
Advocaat was equally unequivocal at the end of last season when asked what was needed to avoid the need for a repeat of his last-gasp rescue mission, recommending an influx of quality rather than quantity in the summer transfer market.
Holland international midfielder Jeremain Lens certainly fits the bill in that respect, while Adam Matthews and Yann M'Vila, who joins the senior squad for the first time this weekend, have also been added to the mix.
However, the club is desperate to boost its attacking options and Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj and former loan signing Fabio Borini are among a series of options currently under consideration.
Advocaat, however, refused to shed any light on the search for new recruits, saying only: "We have still 14 days to go and there is no reason now to discuss a lot of things. Let's wait the next 14 days and then we have the facts."
The head coach saw his resources depleted further this week by the loss of midfielder Adam Johnson to a shoulder injury, but a scan has revealed no lasting damage. He will be out for around six to seven weeks though.
Elsewhere, Jordi Gomez (knee) still missing and fellow midfielder Yann M'Vila has been included for the senior squad for the first time.
Norwich manager Alex Neil is determined to sign more players to bolster his squad.
But he accepts convincing the likes of Italy international Mattia Destro a move to Carrow Road would be an attractive proposition is not always easy.
The Canaries have been able to bring in some five players during the summer, including Andre Wisdom on loan from Liverpool and Robbie Brady in a #7million deal from Hull. However, the club has also been left frustrated in attempts to land another striker, being linked with Dynamo Kiev's #10million-rated Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani as well as Destro, who is valued at around #4mllion by Roma.
Neil accepts Norwich being an unfashionable club was always likely to prove a difficult hurdle to overcome.
"The problem we are finding at the moment in terms of recruitment is some of the players we are trying to attract don't see us as a good proposition to come and play for," Neil said at a press conference.
"Another thing which makes it difficult for us is the valuation, and of British players it is ridiculous how much some of them go for in comparison to foreign players.
"However, then the problem with foreign players is they have not done it here, and then you are also taking a gamble there.
"Getting that balance right is going to be a calculated gamble as well, you have to do as much homework as you can.
"We are still chasing top targets, and I won't just sign players who I think will be another number, I need to add to the group, to make us stronger and better, which is why it is probably taking a bit longer to get people in."
Neil confirmed Roma frontman Destro was one of his targets.
He said: "There are ongoing negotiations with quite a few players, not just players but clubs and agent and different things like that, but yes, he is a player who has been discussed."
Norwich have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip.
Nathan Redmond is pressing for a starting place after coming off the bench to score in the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, as is forward Cameron Jerome.
Source: PAR
