Sunderland

Gus Poyet hoping for Sunderland improvement following Tyne-Wear derby joy

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 24 December 2014

Gus Poyet insists that there is still room for improvement as Sunderland push on from their Tyne-Wear derby victory against Newcastle United to climb the table.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has warned his players to learn from the past in order to push on from their derby-day victory over Newcastle United.

Adam Johnson's late strike at St James' Park gave the Black Cats all three points against their local rivals at the weekend to secure a record fourth straight Tyne-Wear derby success.

However, Poyet admits that there is still plenty of room for improvement in the coming months, as Sunderland look to turn draws into wins and climb up the Premier League table.

"I always knew the team," he is quoted as saying by The Northern Echo. "This now is confirmation of what we do. I'm still thinking we need to improve because I don't want any more draws. I want to win football games. I know you need to start somewhere.

"First, I want my team to be solid. We conceded like 2,000 goals last season in the first part of the season. I want us first to be difficult to beat, then you start playing and taking chances. But how long does that take? I still want to see more, I don't change because of this one game.

"I'm ambitious – that's the mentality I want. The next game is the most important. Last year when we won the derby we didn't think the next game was important and we went two months without winning a game. I'm going to fight until the players have that mentality, that only the next game matters."

Sunderland return to action on Boxing Day when they take on Hull City at the Stadium of Light.