Rodwell hails Sunderland team spirit

Posted Tuesday, August 16, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Rodwell hails Sunderland team spirit
Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell says the spirit in the camp is still high despite their last-gasp defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

Rodwell says the momentum and fighting spirit fostered by England manager Sam Allardyce at the club last season is still within the camp, and feels new manager David Moyes can sustain it – as the Black Cats look to avoid another relegation scrap.

"At the back end of last season we showed how good the spirit was, but we don't want to have to do that again," he told reporters.

Debutant Paddy McNair's own goal denied Rodwell and his side a vital point at the Etihad Stadium, and he feels luck deserted them against his former side – after his assist for Jermain Defoe's goal had levelled matters.

"This was the first game and I think we showed it's still there. We were a little bit unlucky," he added.

"If we pull together, with a few new faces coming in and a new manager, if feel like we can still do well. We've got to remain strong, keep our spirit going. That's what helped us through last season.

"If you put less effort in, you're not going to get results, whether it's a big club or a small club you're playing."