Sunderland manager Gus Poyet accepts that his side’s visit to Upton Park to face West Ham this weekend is an important one, citing the fixture to be a “must-win” one for The Black Cats.
Sunderland, who currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table, head to West Ham, but will still be without injured pair Keiren Westwood and Carlos Cuellar on Saturday.
At the moment, Sunderland are five or more points adrift of every other team – only managing to snatch a single point from their previous four matches.
Poyet understands that his team are rapidly running out of time to get the points he needs in an attempt to overcome the relegation battle.
The fourth-bottom Hammers are separated from the bottom three merely by goal difference, so the 46-year old fully acknowledges the scale of Saturday’s encounter.
He said: “You can say you must win every game, but when you are at the bottom of the table and playing a team who is close to you, people call it a must-win game. I think it is.”
And with this knowledge at hand, Poyet intends to grab all three points, stating that the “idea is to make sure we go and win this one.”
The Uruguayan also understands that the festive period will be tough for his team, but that they should look to pick up the points. With Norwich visiting the Stadium of Light next Saturday, Poyet is keen to make an impression – and he believes that the next couple of games will have a huge significance on his season.
“Probably these next two games will define the season. I would like to think this is close to that limit of needing to win.”
But Poyet wished to steer away from discussing tactics, especially when asked if he would advance on a draw, adding: “I don’t like to go into the game thinking if this happens or that.”
“That’s like a PlayStation game and football is not like that. It depends on so many things and how we are performing and the opposition.”
“It depends on so many things you have to take into consideration which is the job of the manager.”
“If we are rubbish and West Ham are the better team and we’ve been defending and it’s a good game to take a point, then maybe we will take that.”
“But I don’t agree going to the game with changes planned before you start.”
The Sunderland boss also looked to his opposition, adding a few comments on West Ham – claiming that Hammers forward Andy Carroll is as inspirational to his side as FIFA Ballon D’Or finalists Lionel Messi, and favourite Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I am sure if you play Barcelona it is better if Messi doesn’t play. I am sure if you play Real Madrid, it is better if Ronaldo doesn’t play.”
With West Ham sitting just above the relegation zone, many people have claimed the English striker’s absence is a major factor.
“They are important players but it is an opportunity for other players who come in who are Premier League players and I am sure who comes in will give 100 per cent.”
Poyet also believes that Carroll’s injury will benefit his team’s chances.
“On paper it will be better for us but you need to play the game because they are Premier League players.”
“You must win every game but the problem is when you are bottom and playing a team near the bottom it is called a must-win game.”
“We have to make sure we win this one.”
Poyet, who replaced Paolo Di Canio as manager at the Stadium of Light in early October, considers his current spell to be “unique”.
“It has been unique; I don’t think it can be repeated. I can’t think of a manager in charge of 10 games, five own goals, two sending offs in one game, another in another game and missing a chance from a yard and scoring three against Chelsea and losing.”
“It is scary but we have to perform and get the three points.”
Poyet accepts that some games will be difficult for his players, but also admits that they need to get the most out of games as possible.
“If we are not playing well enough get something from the game somehow.”
In an attempt to revive his team, Poyet added that he has been “working on controlling the game”.
“It is a massive situation and we have to be man enough to accept we are in a really bad situation.”
“We take to a level of craziness that it should be not like that.”
“We need to control the emotions, be realistic and accept the challenge but keep control and not go over the line. We do not want anyone to die. It is how we are and how much we care and we cannot change.”
Poyet also confessed that the task at hand is not an easy one, “I accepted the challenge and I am not going to hide, it is not always enjoyable but I don’t think everyone gets a job and enjoys it, that is a dream job.”
“At the moment I am not really enjoying my life but I aim to make sure I am enjoying it in a few weeks, that is me, that is my character, I just need to make sure I don’t lose the focus and I know where I am.”
In similar fashion to West Ham without Carroll, Sunderland are struggling to produce goals because of Steven Fletcher's struggles, so Poyet has also called on his team to create chances for the Scottish striker.
“If you miss a clear chance, it is maybe a lack of confidence but he hasn’t had too many because we are not creating too many.”
“We are missing the cross, movement; something is missing which is the most important part of any game. We are missing that last punch.”
