Cana bemoans Sunderland season

Cana: Frustrated

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Lorik Cana has expressed his frustrations following Sunderland's inability to break into the top half of the Premier League.

The Black Cats' skipper helped Steve Bruce's side to a 13th-place finish in the Premier League.

However, the 26-year-old feels they could have done even better after failing to climb into the top 10.

He told the Journal: "It has been a disappointing season for us.

"I don't think it has been a great season, because a great season would have been to finish in the top half of the table, and we haven't done that."

Sunderland would have climbed into the top 10 had they beaten Wolves on the final day of the season and Blackburn had not beaten Aston Villa. The defensive stalwart was clearly frustrated with his side's 2-1 defeat at Molineux.

"That was still possible before the start of the game on Sunday, so we were very disappointed.

"Everybody is very annoyed to have finished like that, especially for the fans as there were thousands of them cheering us on at Wolves.

"We would not have taken 13th at the start of the season, if I am being honest. I think we are better than that."

The Albania international sites a 14-game winless run during the campaign for the Mackems not making the top half, however he is optimistic about the future.

Cana said: "We didn't win for 13 or 14 games and that hurt us, but we are on the right path.

"I think we have the quality to do better - but nobody will give you presents in this league. You have to fight for every point. That's why it's the best league in the world.

"The next step for the club is to finish in the top half of the table, and I know we can do that. We have to do that next season."