Saturday, 30 March 2013

Sunderland V Man Utd

         
     Martin O'Neill has ordered Sunderland to forget about the points which have slipped from their grasp and concentrate on those they need to avoid relegation.That would represent a bold approach with United 15 points clear at the top of the table and Sunderland still holding a four-point advantage, but one which is fast evaporating, over the bottom three.The Black Cats have collected only three of the last 21 Barclays Premier League points they have contested and firmly believe the quality of some of the performances during that run warranted a healthier return.Fletcher's loss, along with that of skipper Lee Cattermole, who has also been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing knee surgery, has robbed O'Neill of a significant part of the spine of his team.However, the manager knows there is little mileage in ifs, buts and might-have-beens and with Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton waiting in the wings after Manchester United's visit to the Stadium of Light, the time has come for the talking to stop.In addition, midfielder David Vaughan and playmaker Stephane Sessegnon are both struggling with ankle problems and the manager will hope for better news on that front.O'Neill, whose side could only draw at home to Norwich a fortnight again despite playing for more than an hour against 10 men, said: "At some stage, you have to actually talk about points on the board.The anger Ferguson felt at the Sunderland fans' over-the-top celebrations has evidently subsided, meaning there is no talk of revenge as United look to claim three of the 13 points from nine remaining fixtures to clinch title number 20.It's all very well saying for a couple of weeks now we should have picked up a point here, we should have done this and that.

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