Black Cats must improve, or face relegation – Anichebe

Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe has admitted his side just were not good enough in the first half of their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

The defeat left the Black Cats languishing ten points from safety with just seven Premier League games left to play.

However, with West Ham, Middlesbrough, Bournemouth, Hull and Swansea still left to play this season, David Moyes’ side still have hope of producing a miracle and avoiding the drop.

Anichebe, however, has admitted they must improve if they are to get out of their current plight.

“It was a difficult game and obviously the sending off [of Sebastian Larsson] didn’t help us, but in the first 20 minutes I thought we were poor and we didn’t get up to them,” said the 28-year-old who has scored just three times this season.

Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

“We gave them a bit too much respect and, because of the position we’re in, I think anxiety and fear was in our performance at times.

“I think we’re all disappointed because it [the first goal] was far too easy.

“Zlatan, coming in and turning onto his right, it’s obvious what he’s going to do, but at the moment we’re just not getting there at the right times and that’s the position we’re in.

“It was a difficult result but we still have games to go so we have to keep going and keep plugging away, and turn things around to give the fans something to cheer about.”