Interim Sunderland head coach Mike Dodds knows the task his side have on their hands against Norwich City this weekend, but has urged them to focus on themselves.
Following the dismissal of former manager Michael Beale after just eight weeks on the job, the Black Cats have now dropped their last three games under Dodds, who will remain in command until the conclusion of the season.
In contrast, their hosts have demonstrated remarkable performance at home, going undefeated since November of last year.
“The Canaries have talented players all over the pitch,” Dodds remarked. They have a lot of threats spread out around the pitch, based on the games I’ve watched.
“But we must focus on ourselves and manage what we can control. They’ll be aware of our talented roster. It’s evident that they faced us earlier in the season since we outperformed them.
Thus, I’m eagerly anticipating the game. This week has been a great training week for the group; their play has a genuine energy.
“Looking from my side of the fence, I see a group of players who are really hungry to get back on the pitch and correct what happened [in their 2-1 loss to Birmingham last weekend].”
Due to an ankle injury, the pivot Jack Clarke, who has scored 15 goals this season in the rematch, will be sidelined for six weeks for the visitors.
But as his side travels to Norfolk, Dodds promises to do everything in his power to make up for that loss.
He went on, “It’s a crushing blow.” “I must, however, manage the controllables concurrently. I will not be thinking about it or having any thoughts about it for the next six weeks.
“Like I’ve stated a thousand times, any team in this league would suffer if they lost Jack Clarke. You don’t want to hear this news.
“But at the same time, obviously I processed it when the physio department told me the outcome, and then it was full focus on controlling what I can control, let’s prepare the team to go to Norwich and come back with three points.”
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