Kieran Richardson

By The Black Cats
May 1 2009

Black Cats star Kieran Richardson believes that this Sunday's clash with David Moyes' Everton is the perfect opportunity for the "real" Sunderland to stand up. The players have accepted publicly that they let their supporters down and there is a desire to make amends at the Stadium of Light after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to bottom of the table West Brom.

"This is a great game for us to bounce back in," Richardson said. "It's a big game on Sunday. Hopefully the results on Saturday with the other teams will go our way. If we get a win against Everton it can really put us in good shape for the rest of the season.

"As players, we just want to show people that what happened last weekend wasn't the real us. We want to show them what the real Sunderland is all about and we couldn't have picked a better game to do that. It's on television, everyone will be watching us and we need to put on a good performance.

"You always want to play well. Sometimes it doesn't go that way, but against Everton we definitely have to put an end to that. Above all else, the main thing is to get the three points and we're definitely more than capable of that."

Ricky Sbragia, has spoken about the positive reaction he has seen in training this week and Richardson acknowledges that there has been an extra dimension to practise sessions.  

"There's been a real determination about the camp this week," the England midfielder said. "We know we weren't great at West Brom, but we're desperate to bounce back. Whenever you lose a game, the next step is to make sure you win the next one and that's what we're focussing on.  

"The mood in the camp is tremendous, everyone is training very well and we all just want the game to come and to get on with it. It's time to do the business on the pitch.

"The spirit is fine. We've got a good bunch of lads down there, we're training hard and I don't see any problems. Sunday is a massive game for us and we need something out of it, but with our fans behind us, we're more than capable of doing that. We've got the players capable of doing the business."

Three points against Everton would go a long way to making Sunderland's status in the Premier League safe for another year and allow the club to rebuild again during the close-season.

"The season has been up and down and we recognise that," Richardson said. "It's not been good for the club or the fans, but as long as we're in the Premier League next season, that's what everyone wants. Come the end of the season, I'm sure we will be.

"Then we need to kick on. I'm sure the gaffer will bring in new players over the summer and we'll start afresh."