Source: Northern_Echo
Zenden says sorry to travelling fans
BOLO ZENDEN has issued an apology to Sunderland supporters who have been forced to endure the side's woeful away run.[LNB] Steve Bruce's most recent signing has made it clear that he and his colleagues feel just as nauseated as the club's loyal followers the team has still failed to find a remedy for their recent bout of travel sickness.[LNB] And while it is a topic of conversation fans and players alike are bored to death about discussing, Zenden admits the subject still needs to be addressed.[LNB] It is something to talk about and it is a problem we have to sort out, said the 33- year-old. Obviously, it is disappointing for us and more disappointing for the fans who are travelling down.[LNB] The supporters are always there and we should give them what they came for.[LNB] If you compare the away form with the home form it is remarkable and that is why everyone is talking about it.[LNB] We've had a few chats with the players and the manager trying to address the problem.[LNB] We have come up with a few solutions, but I think it is better we keep them to ourselves.[LNB] We feel bad about it and it is something we are not taking lightly and neither does the manager.[LNB] He is unhappy with our situation, more so because we are capable of doing good things at home. But it is definitely something we are working on and we have to get it sorted.[LNB] If you lose a game the way we lost at Birmingham, then you haven't done what you are capable of and you feel as if you have let the fans down.[LNB] The Sunderland back four has come under fire in the club's last two away trips at Wigan and Fulham for giving away soft goals. But Zenden refused to point the finger of blame at his underperforming defenders.[LNB] It is a collective performance,[LNB] said the former Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Liverpool star.[LNB] If one player has a bad day then there are ten others to lift them up. If the majority is not at their best, there is a problem.[LNB] There is no sense in just pointing the finger at one person, it is a team game and that is why, as a team, we have to sort it out.[LNB] Sunderland hope to get their European challenge back on schedule when they play host to bottom club Portsmouth on Saturday.[LNB] On paper, the fixture against the Premier League strugglers looks to be a home banker for the Black Cats.[LNB] But manager Steve Bruce is suffering from a defensive crisis ahead of Pompey's visit to the Stadium of Light, with Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson lost to suspension, while Craig Gordon, John Mensah, George Mc- Cartney and Anton Ferdinand all look likely to miss out through injury.[LNB] And with Avram Grant's new charges boosted by last week's home victory over Burnley, the contest looks anything but straightforward.[LNB] Portsmouth have a new manager and maybe a fresh wind blowing through the team, admitted Zenden, who could make his first start for the club on Saturday.[LNB]
