Dick Advocaat: 'Sunderland need away points'

Dick Advocaat has admitted that Sunderland need to start picking up more points away from home in order to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Black Cats have won just twice away from the Stadium of Light this season, leaving them only a point clear of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Stoke City this afternoon.

The manager told the Sunderland Echo: "I think home games are always easier, but maybe some players don't have that same feeling.

"The majority of the clubs have to get their points in their home games. But we're now in the situation where we have to get points away as well.

"We have to do much, much better today than we did against Crystal Palace. The way they have reacted in training has been very positive."

Sunderland's last away win came against Newcastle United in December.