David Moyes: Supporters understand Sunderland's struggle
Friday 21 October 2016 12:40, UK
David Moyes has praised the reaction of Sunderland's supporters after meeting with fan groups this week.
The Black Cats manager insists they understand the club's perilous situation, after he received backing from chief executive Martin Bain, who admitted the north east side have lost their identity.
Sunderland are rock-bottom of the Premier League, without a win from their opening eight games, and facing a fifth successive campaign fighting against relegation.
Ahead of his side's trip to West Ham on Saturday, Moyes said: "I was with a lot of the supporters branches this week, talking to them, and I think a lot understand the situation.
"They have been excellent. They understand they've been through the barrel with managers and need some stability.
"The things Martin was saying about identity and looking into the club's north-east roots is absolutely right. Sam Allardyce did a great job keeping the team up but everybody that has been in has been firefighting, and not had chance to pick it up.
"Going back as far as Martin O'Neil and Steve Bruce - all the people that have been here - they've all had similar situations and probably felt the same.
"They've not had chance to pick it up. That's why we are saying we need to put something down. We've got to get the whole thing moving along. Martin is an experienced chief exec' and I think he'll give Sunderland real good stability because if his own background."
Sunderland have been boosted by the returns of defenders Lamine Kone and Patrick van Aanholt to training this week, while the likes of Manchester United loanee Adnan Januzaj, Jason Denayer and Sebastian Larsson are also edging closer to action.
"Lamine and Van Aanholt are back training but, more importantly, Seb Larsson is making really good progress and Vito Mannone has been out doing some handling work as well," Moyes said.
"Some of long-termers are coming back. Adnan won't be as long, Jason Denayer shouldn't be too bad. Cattermole is making bit of progress. The only one not on the horizon is Fabio Borini at the moment.
"We have lost a lot of players who would be involved in games. We don't have a big squad or experienced squad. We could do with them being back and the signs are it won't be too long before we get a few more back in the squad."
