Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat remained upbeat following his team’s harsh 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.
Ryan Mason’s strike eight minutes from time put to bed the Black Cats’ hopes of building on their three-game unbeaten run prior to the international break, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side stealing victory against the run of play thanks to an incisive passing move and some poor defending from the Sunderland substitute midfielders.
And the Dutchman explained that he was pleased with the overall performance of the team, stating that a first win of the season isn’t far away.
“I said afterwards that we could sit down but there is no reason to because if we keep working like this and keep playing like this the points will come. It is hard to take because one point can let you say after the last four games that we did not lose. The whole team did really well and I cannot say that one player was not good in the game.
“In the home games you have to get the points and I’ve said that before, but against a strong side with good players we deserved more than nothing.”
The head coach also revealed that the substitution of debutant Fabio Borini was due to the former Liverpool man’s lack of match fitness rather than injury.
“Fabio, like some others, still has some problems to play 90 minutes because how long ago is it since he played? Now with 60-65 minutes that was okay and he will improve.”
