Sunderland play for self-respect -
Sunderland Echo
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| Kevin Ball |
KEVIN Ball says Sunderland have everything to play for in tomorrow's match against Fulham.
And he expects a top-quality performance from players who he feels owe fans the payback of at least one home win this season after the most spirit-sapping campaign.
A win over Fulham would of course make no difference to the overall relegation picture for Sunderland and would be far too little far too late this season anyway.
But Ball insists it is long way from being a meaningless fixture as far as he is concerned and he expects every player he fields tomorrow to attach the same importance to the game as he does.
He said: "I can't stress too much how important I think the Fulham game is for us now.
"It is our last home game of what has been a terrible season and I think it is vital we give our fans something to cheer about.
"And for the players own self-respect too, we have to go out there and give a good show and do our utmost to get a home win.
"This has been a season of massive failure for Sunderland Football Club and no-one wants the stain of going through a whole season without a home win on their record.
"We'll avoid that if we beat Fulham and we have to make sure we go out there tomorrow night and get it right on the night – everyone has to do their jobs well and make sure we get the sort of result and display which will at least put a smile or two back on the face of supporters who have suffered so much."
Ball has insisted that at the final whistle, his players give the fans due acknowledgement and thanks for what has been a season of unstinting support from so many in the stands.
But he says that the most eloquent thank you would be to go out there and win the game.
He said: "I've thought long and hard about how we can acknowledge the supporters at the end of the game because we do need to thank them for sticking by us in what has been a horrible season.
"But I'll be telling the players that the best way we can say thanks is to go out there and give the fans a good night and finally get this statistic off our back of never having won at home in the Premiership this season.
"We've gone close a few times at home and it's not for the want of trying.
"Fulham hadn't won away from home all season up until the weekend so there's no reason why we can't follow their example and turn it around at the death.
"This is a game that's really, really important to me.
"I want us to win the match and I'll be sending out a side with instructions to get that win and start looking to go into the close season with a bit of pride regained."