Noah Sadiki has given his verdict on Sunderland's push for European qualification, and this Sunday's clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
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Noah Sadiki believes Sunderland still have what it takes to climb higher in the Premier League table and push for Europe, though he’s taking nothing for granted.
The Black Cats return from the international break with a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, with the visitors arriving at the Stadium of Light desperately battling against relegation.
Many predicted that to be Sunderland’s fate before a ball was kicked. However, fuelled by an excellent summer recruitment drive, Regis Le Bris’ men sit 11th in the table following their memorable 2-1 comeback win away at arch-rivals Newcastle United last time out.
Sadiki cautiously optimistic about Sunderland prospects
With seven games to go, Sunderland are still just three points off the top seven and six points adrift of Liverpool in what is now confirmed to be the fifth and final Champions League spot.
Equally, however, a couple of bad results could see them slip quickly into obscurity, with 14th-place Crystal Palace just four points behind, with a game in hand.
So, while Sadiki and his teammates’ ambitions remain high, there is also good reason for everyone on Wearside to keep their feet on the ground for now.
“I think we can achieve way more and climb higher in the table but I’ve said it before. You need to do it game-by-game. You can’t project yourself,” DR Congo international Sadiki told Sunderland’s official website.
“At the start of the season, we started really strong and were in the top four and people were talking about Champions League. Then we fell off a little bit and people were talking about relegation.
“In this league, it’s hard to project yourself because if you lose, you can fall three places. If you win, you can climb three places.”
Sunderland prepare to face unpredictable Spurs
Sunday will be Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham after he replaced Igor Tudor in the dugout.
The Italian has a huge job on his hands, with Spurs winless in their last 13 Premier League matches and taking just five points during that time, in a run that’s left them 17th in the table and just a point above the relegation zone.
But De Zerbi’s arrival could make Spurs more dangerous, with the Lilywhites something of an ‘unknown’ in Sadiki’s eyes.
The midfielder added: “It’s difficult because you don’t know. Maybe he can come and change everything. We are going into the unknown a little bit but the coaches are going to figure it out… it’s not my job!
“It’s just a bad season from them. We all know that Tottenham is a big club in England and those seasons can happen.
“I don’t think anyone could have said at the start of the season that they were going to fight relegation.
“It’s going to be a game where most of the pressure is going to be on them. We are safe and the pressure is away from the team. I think it’s going to be a fun game to watch.”