Grant Leadbitter Calls For Sunderland Spirit

Sunderland starlet Grant Leadbitter wants his relegation-threatened team to make an emphatic statement of intent when they travel to take on last-placed West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

The Black Cats had slumped to within touching distance of the drop zone in recent weeks, but a victory over Hull City in their last outing has restored some optimism on Wearside.

"We all want to stay in this league," boomed Leadbitter in the Sunderland Echo. "The Premier League is the best league in the world and everyone wants to play in it.

"Everyone wants to stay in the league, not just for ourselves and the club, but also for Ricky [Sbragia]," added the local lad, referring to the club's spirited but inexperienced manager, who took over from Roy Keane when the wheels first started coming off earlier in the season.

"He is a man-manager and he makes you want to be the best player that you can be. He is popular in the dressing room and we all want him to succeed.

"We want to stay in the Premier League and then push on next season and make sure we are not fighting relegation again."

Leadbitter continued, "We needed our big-name players to step up against Hull and they did that.

"It was a vital three points - but it will mean nothing if we don't go to West Brom on Saturday and get something there.

"One result in isolation isn't enough, not at this stage of the season.

"We have to follow it up and, hopefully, get a four or five-game run going where we pick up at least a point per game.

"If we can do that, we will get ourselves safe."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com