It was the fourth season in a row that Sunderland’s fans had to endure a gruelling relegation battle, and their victory was a crushing blow for Newcastle and Norwich, whose 4-2 win over Watford on Wednesday went in vain.
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Sunderland’s defenders provided the goals that sealed their club’s Premier League survival and condemned Norwich City and Newcastle United to the English Championship. After stints at Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham as well as Newcastle, Allardyce was appointed by Sunderland in October when they were 19th in the table and without a league victory. We’ve picked points up, the draws have led to wins and leave us safe with one game to go.
“I have the utmost respect for Dick and what he has achieved in his career but I have used that as a motivational tool for the players”.
“I hope he signs for quite a number of years and sees out his days here”.
Boss Allardyce has insisted that Sunderland now need to ensure their summer recruitment is as successful as their January buys if they are to avoid yet another relegation scrap next season.
“Goals play a big part in deciding these sort of games and the first goal was a disappointing action from us”.
“This club can’t be cheering and doing a lap of honour just for escaping relegation”, Allardyce told reporters. We’re developing into a side that is hard to break down. The important thing now is that spend the money wisely on players.
“It was a challenge when he said that this team is not what I want to be associated with and that they will get relegated. That was the only way we could survive”.
Allardyce insists he’s happy to stay at Sunderland and is already thinking about strengthening his squad.
The organisation is really good and he is a different class in the transfer market.
Roberto Martinez chose not to address his future at Everton in the wake of Wednesday night’s disappointing 3-0 loss at Sunderland.
The Toon hero was placed in caretaker charge for the final games of the 2008-09 season when the Magpies last dropped into the second tier.
Allardyce said the job has been a “test” both on and off the field and believes the side have come through it “stronger and stronger”.
“Overall we fought for every ball, we put in a lot of effort and Sunderland got the goals”.
“I wouldn’t say we knew we were going to stay up after Norwich (last month’s win) but that was a massive step because they could have gone seven points ahead of us”.
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“You can not be happy with not winning football games”.
