Jordan Pickford hopes victory over Man Utd can ignite Sunderland's survival bid
Sunday 9 April 2017 12:38, UK
Jordan Pickford hopes an unfancied victory over Manchester United can give Sunderland's battle against relegation a timely shot in the arm.
In what has now become a perennial occurrence, the Black Cats - bottom of the Premier League - are embroiled in a fight to secure their top-flight status.
David Moyes is faced with a daunting task as his old employers United, who are chasing a top-four spot, visit the Stadium of Light on Nissan Super Sunday.
Live Nissan Super Sunday
But Pickford, one of the shining lights in what has been a testing campaign, believes victory can act as catalyst for another great escape.
"United are one of the top teams in the country so victory can inspire us," he told Sky Sports.
"If we win against them we've got to have belief and confidence going into the game after against West Ham.
"Victory will also give us a good chance to get wins in the next few games which are against teams in and around our situation.
"To get the three points and the confidence out of this game will be massive from the team and the fans' perspective."
With just one win in their last 13 league outings it is now or never for Sunderland if they are to avoid dropping into the Sky Bet Championship.
It's a familiar tale for Pickford and his team-mates, who find themselves eight points from safety with eight games remaining - the exact same gap which Gus Poyet navigated when Sunderland avoided the drop in 2013/14.
Poyet labelled Sunderland's survival three years ago "a miracle" and Pickford believes a similarly extraordinary effort is required to repeat the feat.
"We are not in an ideal situation but we've got eight games to go and we've got belief in the camp," the 23-year-old added.
"Two seasons ago when Gus Poyet was here were in the exact same position we are in now, eight points adrift with eight games to go, and that was a miracle [to avoid relegation].
"We've just got to win our next game against Manchester United. It will be a tough task but we've got belief in the changing room and we've got to win each game as it comes."
Watch the full interview with Jordan Pickford - followed by live coverage of Sunderland v Manchester United - live on Nissan Super Sunday, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
