Fabio Borini has conceded that Sunderland must collect points from their remaining two games of November.
The Black Cats, who are currently second from bottom and four points from safety, travel to Crystal Palace on Monday evening and then take on Stoke City at the Stadium of Light the following Saturday.
In December they are due to face Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and with that in mind, Italian striker Borini has stressed the importance that the next two games hold.
"We have to get something from these games because December is a tough month," he told BBC Sport.
"Not just because it is Christmas, because in England you don't stop so you play every three days. It's tiring for the players but also the quality of the opponents."
Sam Allardyce's side have won only one of their 12 Premier League matches this term.
