Sam Allardyce: I'd take a draw against Southampton

Sam Allardyce admits he would settle for a point in Saturday's trip to Southampton, even if that means missing out on his target for Sunderland's quick-fire triple header.
Sam AllardyceSam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce

Last week, Allardyce insisted that Sunderland needed to record a minimum of four points from games against West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton in the space of an eight-day period.

But heading into the final one of those three at St Mary’s on Saturday, Sunderland have only one point to show for their efforts after Fabio Borini’s late strike rescued a 2-2 draw against Palace last night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, Allardyce has NOT made this weekend’s encounter win-or-bust for Sunderland, who will then have a two-week break before the Tyne-Wear derby.

Allardyce said: “We’ve got to go to Southampton and get a result now.

“Staying in touch is about getting a result there.

“It will be difficult to get a win, but if we can’t get a win, we have to get a point.

“If you said to me, would you take a point now, I’d say yes, on the basis of where we are at the minute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It wouldn’t be what we wanted from this period, but then we can get ready for the two-week break.”

Last night’s result moved Sunderland out of the bottom three on goal difference, although Newcastle can put the Black Cats back into the drop zone if they get a positive result at Stoke tonight.

“Let’s hope we’re out the bottom three for a while,” added Allardyce.

“We could be back in there tonight!”