Monday 11 April 2016 09:55, UK
Yann M'Vila says Sunderland's trip to Norwich next weekend is a 'cup final' for the Black Cats and admits they can't even afford to draw.
The north-east club travel to Carrow Road on Saturday trailing the Canaries by four points and with one game in hand - and stuck inside the relegation zone.
The midfielder said: "We have to win against Norwich, there's no question of a draw. We have to take the points and absolutely have to win at any cost.
"It's like a derby, a cup final and we have to approach it like that. There will be pressure on both teams but more on us because there's four points between us.
"We absolutely need to win because, if we draw, Norwich will still have that four-point gap."
There will be pressure on both teams but more on us because there's four points between us.
As for Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Premier League leaders Leicester, the Frenchman added: "Yesterday, there wasn't anything significant between the two teams.
"At half-time, we were good, but there are these key moments in games where we manage to lose. We lose our concentration and the opposition score a goal.
"Before the first goal, we were doing well and we were thinking we could get a clean sheet, either a draw or a win.
"But we lost a poor goal. It was a typical Leicester goal and we'd spoken about it at half-time, about them playing long balls over the top.
"We knew we had to pay attention to the pace of Jamie Vardy. If you give him chances like that, then you know what will happen."
The 25-year-old also realises the Stadium of Light club have dropped "silly points" in recent matches: "It's difficult mentally because every week is the same thing.
"We could have had so many more points when you look at the games against Newcastle, Crystal Palace, West Brom.
"We've lost a lot of points. That makes me sad and I hope we can do something better next week.
"We've asked all the questions among ourselves but I don't know why we haven't won more games - the West Brom game for example."
