Philip Cleugh: Sunderland have to believe in their own ability ahead of Norwich City test

The failing of Sunderland to beat Leicester warranted a degree of pessimism that was not altogether unexpected given their opponents seeming relentless ability to win games without conceding a goal.
Fabio BoriniFabio Borini
Fabio Borini

The result against West Brom, however, was a consequence of starting with three holding midfield players proved reason to doubt Big Sam's ability to identify games in which we should actually set out to win.

The forthcoming Norwich City game affords the manager another chance to select a team to beat a mediocre, at best, Norwich side before we face Arsenal.

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It is this decision around team selection that will govern our chances of staying in the Premier League.

The logic in starting on the back foot against relegation rivals and then expecting, or indeed hoping, to hold out against Arsenal offers no logical conclusion other than Championship football come August.

The moment is here to seize the day against a poor team, not dig in for a draw only to lose against Arsenal.

The Arsenal game is a game to defend like Trojans as we have done before.

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On Saturday, the manager and players, need to stand up and be counted and make the defensive tactic an option on the following game.

Big Sam claims it as a 'must-not-lose' game. Only if we fall behind should that mentality be foremost on our minds.

The time has come; send a team out to win the game, believe in our ability to gain three points, otherwise we are sleepwalking to Burton Albion.

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