Sunderland AFC midfielder, Sebastian Larsson has insisted that people shouldn't rule out the club's chances of survival six matches into the season.

Can turn it around

It has been another horrendous start to the Premier League season at the Stadium of light, failing to win so far, and will be the fourth consecutive season that the Black Cats have gone into the month of October without a victory.

It seemed that they almost had it last Saturday, with two goals from Jermain Defoe giving them a comfortable lead over Crystal Palace. But Joe Ledley, James McArthur and Christian Benteke denied them the victory and gave Palace an unlikely win.

Once again the Wearsiders have become one of the favourites for the drop, but the Swedish midfielder has stated that it is too early to write off the Black Cats for survival.

"It has turned around for us in previous years, it just needs to turn around a bit earlier this year," Larsson told The Chronicle. "We have to do that earlier this season, and not wait until the last couple of months of the season."

He continued: "We have been written-off before and I’m sure we have been written-off again by a lot of people – let’s prove them wrong.”

Above: Sunderland AFC record signing Didier N'Dong in action during their 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace | Photo: Getty Images
Above: Sunderland AFC record signing Didier N'Dong in action during their 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace | Photo: Getty Images

Got the talent

It was a whirlwind start to the campaign even before a ball was kicked with David Moyes being swiftly brought in, replacing England-bound Sam Allardyce.

The Scotsman has certainly brought in some new faces to the Stadium of Light, along some of the best performers last year in another rescue mission, and Larsson believes that they have the squad to beat the drop once again.

“There is definitely enough in there," said Larsson. "We have to stick together, gel more as a team and when you get yourself in a position it is about getting to know yourselves as a team, being smarter to see out games."

Larsson concluded, "If you can tweak those bits we will be OK.”

Sunderland AFC will take on West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, October 1 with kick-off at 3pm BST.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.