Paolo di Canio: "When I asked 45 days ago for another central midfield player with a physical presence, with good quality and ability, preferably British, there was a reason.
"I know this league better than some managers who have managed for 20 years in England.
"I know, this is why I continually asked for two more players with a physical presence.
"I had the same situation two years ago at Swindon, a different level. We brought 12, 13 players from abroad and straight away I said I wanted two, three British ones with a physical presence.
"At the end of the season we won the league. Obviously I can't promise we'll win the league here but it is obvious that we will have less problems.
"I feel 50-50.
"Obviously we defended for the whole game, like Fulham did against us last week.
"The defence have done an amazing job because playing Lambert, Rodriguez, Lallana and then Ramirez and Osvaldo - I tell you, this is one of the best sides up front in the league.
"Their frontline gives them a chance for them to finish in the top 10, play good football, a physical presence, energy and quality.
"My back four, central midfield and wingers, have done a very, very good job in defensive moments."
Sunderland Fixtures ...
Tuesday August 27
19:45 League Cup - 2nd Rnd Sunderland v MK Dons
Saturday August 31
17:30 Premier League Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Saturday September 14
15:00 Premier League Sunderland v Arsenal
Saturday September 21
15:00 Premier League West Brom v Sunderland
Sunday September 29
16:00 Premier League Sunderland v Liverpool
SUNDERLAND SQUAD NUMBERS
5 Brown, Wesley Michael
6 Tavares Varela, Adilson
7 Larsson, Sebastian Bengt Ulf
8 Gardner, Craig
9 Fletcher, Steven Kenneth
10 Wickham, Connor Neil Ralph
11 Johnson, Adam
12 Celustka, Ondrej
13 Pickford, Jordan Lee
14 Colback, Jack Raymond
15 Vaughan, David Owen
16 O'Shea, John Francis
17 Altidore, Josmer
18 Mandron, Mikael
19 Karlsson, David Moberg
20 Westwood, Keiren
21 Diakite, Modibo
22 Ba, El Hadji
23 Giaccherini, Emanuele
24 Cuellar Jimenez, Carlos Javier
25 Mannone, Vito
27 Ji, Dong Won
28 Sessegnon, Stephane
29 Roberge, Valentin
33 Cattermole, Lee Barry