Mike Dodds believes his struggling Sunderland team is ready for the international break, but first this weekend’s “really important” match against QPR comes first.
After six straight losses, the Black Cats are in urgent need of a victory over the Rangers to improve their spirits.
Although Sunderland has fallen out of the play-off picture and down the Championship table, Dodds is keen to make sure the season isn’t over and wants to go out on a positive note.
The interim head coach believes the opportunity of a breather during the coming international stoppage will benefit his side, but the two-week break will be a lot easier to negotiate on the back of a positive result this weekend.
Despite being in danger of relegation, QPR has shown improvement since hiring Marti Cifuentes as head coach. Before losing to Middlesbrough over the weekend, the team had won four straight games.
“I know it’s a big game, I really do,” Dodds remarked. Since taking over as interim manager following Michael Beale’s departure, Dodds has dropped his last four games.
They’ve become better with the new coach. I’ve already seen a couple of their matches. It will be extremely difficult for us because of how well-organized they are while not under our control. However, we have a whole week to get ready. This game is really significant to us.”
Sunderland have badly missed star man Jack Clarke in recent weeks but Dodds is hoping the winger will be close to returning after this month’s halt in play.
He said: “The international break I think will be important for us as a group if I’m being completely honest, because after the international break hopefully we’ll get some injuries back, which will lift everyone.
“All games present different challenges and are never easy, whether it’s Southampton or QPR.” Southampton’s style of play will be entirely different from QPR’s. That may need us to slightly modify our strategy, but we are aware that we must prevail as quickly as possible.”
After two impressive cameos from the bench, Adil Aouchiche is anticipated to make a comeback to the starting lineup this weekend, while Mason Burstow, a Chelsea loanee, is set to be replaced up front by Nazariy Rusyn.
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