Exclusive:Gus Poyet explains why Sunderland win over Chelsea can be major turning point & offers Regis Le Bris verdict
Gus Poyet has been discussing Sunderland’s survival prospects in the wake of their victory over Chelsea.
Former Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has claimed that the Black Cats’ 1-0 victory over Chelsea can represent a turning point in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
Regis Le Bris’ men have endured a sluggish start to their second campaign in the top flight, and prior to their weekend triumph at the Stadium of Light, were rooted to the foot of the table. But in Poyet’s opinion, Sunday’s win - combined with the manner of Sunderland’s performance - should offer plenty of cause for optimism. Speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BetTOM, he said: “If you'd asked me that before their game against Chelsea, I would have said yes, they were in serious danger.
“But in that performance, they went back to basics. They brought back that Sunderland Stadium of Light craziness - the power, desire, aggression, and tackling that you associate with the club. I think they just need to be careful with the Europa League, because it's not for everybody. I remember when the Europa League draw came out at the beginning of the season and people were only thinking about playing AC Milan. I remember saying I hoped they would play Milan sooner rather than later. “The result [on Sunday] was absolutely massive. Without it, they were definitely in a dangerous position.”
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Asked whether he believes current head coach Le Bris is the right man to lead Sunderland to safety, Poyet added: “100%. I love the guy. He's done a terrific job, and I'm desperate for him to do well and remain in the position because I genuinely think this Sunderland team is better than last season in terms of quality.
“The problem is that competing in different competitions can affect your stability and consistency. You can lose a little bit of focus when you're trying to balance everything. I know the fans want to win every game. I experienced that myself, but there's one important priority: the Premier League comes first. “If you're doing well in the league, then you can start paying more attention to the cups and European competitions. But the Premier League has to come first.”