'No problem' - Former Sunderland striker not concerned by Premier League form
Sunderland have won just one of their five Premier League games this season - but former Black Cats striker Michael Bridges is not concerned.
Former Sunderland striker Michael Bridges has no concerns over the Black Cats struggling this season after Sunday’s 5-3 defeat at Manchester City left Regis Le Bris’ side sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
The former Lorient head coach guided a new look Sunderland side into seventh place in the top flight last season just 12 months after securing promotion with a Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United. A final day win against Chelsea also secured European football for only the second time in the club’s long and proud history and ensured the Black Cats are competing alongside the likes of Juventus and AC Milan in this season’s Europa League.
Despite kick-starting their European campaign with a win against AZ Alkmaar last week, some have suggested Sunderland could struggle in the Premier League after winning just one of their opening five league fixtures. However, Bridges has refuted such claims and believes Le Bris will strike the right balance to compete on several fronts this season.
He told Sky Sports News: “Sunderland are continuing the trend, first time in Europe, getting the victory [against AZ], Sunderland fans will be absolutely loving life at this time. They haven’t started the season how they would have liked in the Premier League - but it’s about getting that balance when you’re back in Europe. I had that with Leeds United in my first season, trying to balance regular game-time in Europe to the weekends and it doesn’t come easy when you’re not used to it. They’ve got the numbers so we will see what happens.
“I can’t see it [a relegation battle]. I think they will be able to balance it very, very well. As long as they don’t just fully focus on Europe. It’s all about sustainability in the Premier League. It’s going to take some going to back-up last season but I think Sunderland will be safe in both competitions, no problem.”
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‘A tremendous player’ - Michael Bridges on Brian Brobbey
Bridges also had words of praise for Black Cats striker Brian Brobbey after his outstanding performance and hat-trick failed to reap any rewards in Sunday afternoon’s titanic clash against title contenders City.
The Netherlands international had not found the net in any competition this season ahead of the visit to the Etihad Stadium - but that all changed in spectacular fashion as he plundered his way to a stunning treble and gave further notice of why he is known for causing major issues for the top defenders in the Premier League.
Bridges described the former Ajax man as ‘a tremendous player’ and believes Brobbey was unfortunate not to see his performance rewarded against Enzo Maresca’s side. He said: “It’s good enough getting a hat-trick, let alone getting a hat-trick against Manchester City. Brian Brobbey, a tremendous player and I’ve seen him so many times during his time at Sunderland. This season, strong, physical, intelligent runs, knows where the goal is and to get three goals away from home, you’d be expecting to get a point - but obviously it’s City and they turned it on.”
Your next Sunderland read: Brian Brobbey sends clear Sunderland message with club one point above relegation zone