Leadbitter - We must stay up

Black Cats midfielder desperate to avoid the drop

Last updated: 12th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Leadbitter - We must stay up

Leadbitter: Desperate to stay up

It's not about the first two years, it doesn't matter how you're doing it, you've just got to stay in it, make sure you're an established Premier League team and over the last 10 years Sunderland haven't been done that.

Leadbitter on staying up
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Grant Leadbitter believes it is vitally important Sunderland retain their Premier League status and stop bouncing between divisions.

Although The Black Cats managed to retain their top-flight status under Roy Keane last season, following promotion, they remain in danger of being relegated this term.

Sunderland are just two points clear of Newcastle United and Hull City in the battle against the drop, with just two games left this term against Portsmouth and Chelsea.

The midfielder was relegated with Sunderland in 2006 when the North East team won just three Premier League games all season and he is desperate to avoid adding another drop to his CV.

Massive

"It's massive that we keep Sunderland in the Premier League," said Leadbitter. "It's all about staying in this league and I'd like to think we're all going to do everything possible to make sure it happens.

"As a player who experienced it, it is in the back of your mind, you don't want it to happen again, but it's all about this team sticking together with the staff and doing well.

"It's not about the first two years, it doesn't matter how you're doing it, you've just got to stay in it, make sure you're an established Premier League team and over the last 10 years Sunderland haven't been that.

"They have been up and down, yo-yoing, and it hasn't been good as a fan or a player or anyone connected with the club."