Exclusive:Kevin Phillips outlines Sunderland form 'concerns' and explains potential European impact
Kevin Phillips has been speaking about Sunderland’s recent downturn in form.
Kevin Phillips has argued that Sunderland “have to have concerns” about their form in the Premier League, but has suggested that their European campaign could provide them with an ideal opportunity to build confidence.
At the time of writing, the Black Cats are bottom of the top flight, having taken just four points from their opening seven matches this term. By contrast, however, they have won both of their Europa League outings to date, heading into a clash with Polish outfit Lech Poznan on Thursday evening.
And in Phillips’ view, while there are reasons to be worried domestically, maintaining momentum on the continent can help his former club to turn things around in the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, he said: “I think you have to have concerns, of course, because the longer it goes on, the more people talk about it and the more it gets in your head. You look at the league, the bottom of the league, which isn't good viewing.
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“But then on the flip side of that, they've had two great results in Europe. They're undefeated, picked up two wins, and they've got another game tomorrow night [Thursday], so another chance to get a win and build the confidence going into Sunday.
“So it is a concern, obviously, in the league. That is the priority, that is the bread and butter, and they need to get points on the board, as simple as that. And they need their players back fit, i.e. [Brian] Brobbey. The sooner they can get him back, the better. So there are concerns there.”
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