Fabio Borini is no stranger to struggles at Sunderland but even he could not have predicted that the Black Cats would have started this season so poorly. However, while Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth prompted Dick Advocaat to question himself and to whether there was a losing mentality at Sunderland, Borini insists there is a large will-to-win in the Black Cats dressing room.
Borini told the Sunderland Echo:
“We always have the winning mentality. I’m angry when we lose games – and angry when we draw games.
“I always want to win. But it’s always hard to get the first win and, after that, it’s easier. Hopefully, we can get that and then get going. It hasn’t changed much since I was here before, but the season is still long. We can’t look at the table yet and think we’re bottom. It’s a long season if you do that. We have to take it game-by-game and do the best we can.”
Sunderland were poor against a newly promoted Bournemouth side who had done their research on the Black Cats. They knew the frailties in the Sunderland defence and took advantage, scoring two in the opening ten minutes.
“We didn’t start well and that cost us the game. I think we played better football in the second half and had our chances. But they scored with the only two clear chances they had. After nine minutes, we were 2-0 down and after that, it’s difficult. The second goal is an unbelievable strike. In small stadiums like this, it’s very tight. I played there before for Liverpool and it was difficult.”
Sunderland now face back-to-back games against Manchester finest, with the Black Cats hosting City in the Capital One Cup before travelling to Old Trafford as they take on United in the league, with Borini having fond memories of games for Sunderland against the two Manchester clubs.
“You want to play against the best teams. I’ve got great memories against them. But they’re only memories now. We need to do the business tomorrow and Saturday.”
