Khazri wants players to match Sunderland fans’ performances

Midfielder Wahbi Khazri wants his team to replicate the performance of the vocal Sunderland faithful after almost 3,000 supporters made the trip to Stoke on Saturday.

Sunderland have averaged over 40,000 fans at the Stadium of Light this season, the seventh best attendance in the league, despite not picking up a Premier League win since mid-May.

A 2-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Stoke, who were without a win themselves, leaves the club and new manager David Moyes four points adrift of safety after just eight games.

And Tunisian Khazri believes the players must up their game in the coming weeks against West Ham, Arsenal and Bournemouth if they are to give the fans something to cheer about.

 (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

“I am not happy; I think of the fans because every game they support the team, now we need to win the games because it’s important for the team and the club,” the 25-year-old said.

“They are amazing fans, every game they support the team. I think now as a team we need to say to the fans you’re amazing and we’ll work to give a reason for the fans.

“We need to win our first game because it’s beginning to look dangerous.”