He told the Eastern Daily Press: “I don’t think anybody bounces into work when you have lost a game and on occasions there has been a sombre mood when we have lost big games, certainly when we have played well and not come away with anything”.
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There were nerves on display among the Black Cats during their last match as they went down to leaders Leicester City, where they were picked off by a long forward pass before being caught on the break in stoppage time.
Win and they are firmly back in the race; draw and they are at least no worse off; but lose, and the writing will be on the wall.
Sunderland have got to win that game in hand to make it count. In a fully fit squad, this is another player with a different version of how you play the game. “They are all trying to keep this club in the Premier League”.
For all the criticisms thrown at Allardyce and his style of football, however, there is no doubt in my mind that Sunderland are a better side now than they were six months ago.
Against the run of play in the first-half, Fabio Borini converted a penalty that he had won just before half-time, and the visitors never looked back.
The Black Cats’ victory was watched by a travelling contingent who had boarded buses on Wearside at 04:30 BST to get to Carrow Road in time for the 12:45 BST kick-off. “It is about enjoying it and I have said that to the players this week”.
He said: “Since 2008 Norwich have either been fighting relegation or battling to win promotion every season, so this is nothing new for us”.
Key Stat: Norwich City are unbeaten in their last five matches against Sunderland in the Premier League.
Sunderland struck again in the 53rd minute, Borini whipping over a sublime cross that Defoe met with a typically predatory sliding finish at the far post.
There was not a great deal in the game in terms of clear-cut chances, but one moment of quality proved to be the Canaries’ downfall and they lacked the guile at the other end to fashion a response.
John Tough, 44, from Sunderland, says he is hopeful Sunderland can climb out of the Premier League trapdoor – but says the club still face five crucial games.
“The one thing we’ve got in our mind is two teams are still chasing us”, he added.
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Sunderland rode out the Norwich pressure after the second goal and they could have wrapped up the three points on 78 minutes when Watmore rounded Ruddy but his touch took him away from goal and the ball went out.
