Moyes: Black Cats desperate for positive Christmas
They are one of just three teams to ever survive after being bottom at Christmas, but Sunderland manager David Moyes insists his charges cannot afford to bank on history repeating itself.
The Black Cats were at the Premier League basement on December 25, 2013, remarkably finishing 14th that term, a result which perfectly demonstrated their late-season resolve.
It followed in the footsteps of West Brom in 2004/05, with Leicester completing the feat a year after Sunderland – going on to win the Premier League a season later.
But while history is in their favour, Moyes admits he would rather start January on a positive note in a bid to avoid the drop.
And that is what the former Everton manager is eyeing up for his side’s home tie with Watford on Saturday, with at least one point needed at the Stadium of Light in their last game before the festivities.
(Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
“Six or seven weeks ago we were at the verge of being cut adrift before a couple of wins,” he said.
“This week is so important not to lose and get cut off, we need to have a good Christmas period and get some points on the board, and I see the Watford game as a chance to do that.
“We’ve been on a good run, with the exception of the defeat to Swansea, we’ve picked up some good wins or good performances and been a little bit unlucky too.
“For us to be a Premier League teams we have to win our home games, and Watford is a big opportunity to get three points.”
