MX23RW : Friday, December 13 10:51:02| >> :120:13889:13889:

Dick Advocaat "can't understand" Sunderland defence

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat admits that he "can't understand" why his defenders have let in so many goals in their first two matches in the Premier League.

Dick Advocaat has admitted that he "can't understand" why Sunderland's defence has performed so poorly at the start of the Premier League season.

The Black Cats have conceded more goals than any other side in the top flight so far, letting in seven goals in just two fixtures to leave them at the bottom of the table.

"I didn't want to change the back-line already after one game. But at the moment, there are players playing who I can't understand why they are playing that way," the Sunderland Echo quotes the manager as saying.

"I cannot understand it, honestly. But there must be a reason and I hope that they can tell me. I spoke to the players and told them that we like full-backs, who if the possibility comes, they go forward. But I've changed that. I've now set up a different way.

"The first way for the back four is now defence. And then the opponent cannot get the kind of space they got at Leicester. Take care of your man, and beside that, if you can do a little bit more, then go forwards, otherwise not. We have to change the basic facts."

Sunderland host Swansea City in the league on Saturday.

ID:240051: cacheID:240051:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1972:
Written by
Sian Cowper
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Dick Advocaat watches his Sunderland side take on Norwich on August 15, 2015
Read Next:
Advocaat: 'Short not to blame for poor start'
>
Read more about Dick Advocaat Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!