Teemu Tainio

By The Black Cats
April 14 2009

Sunderland Midfielder Teemu Tainio is backing his team to put in another performance against Hull like they did against Sir Alex's Manchester United last weekend.

Sunderland nearly snatched a draw, and could have had more, but lost by 2 goals to 1 when super sub Federico Macheda deflected a shot past Craig Gordon in the Sunderland goal, however the performance aganist the league champions has certainly boosted morale on wearside.

Tainio knows the Black Cats must play at the same level against relegation rivals Hull at the Stadium of Light in order to retain their status as a Premier League side.

Sunderland, currenlty fourth bottom and just one place above local rivals Newcastle, have not picked up a win since they beat Stoke at home on February 7.

Sunderland face Hull before heading to West Brom the following weekend - and both are massive, must win games... The fan's mindset on wearside is if we do not pick up maximum points in the next two matches then we are down.

"We'll be ready for the Hull game," said Tainio, who returned to the side against United after a six-week injury lay-off.

"People say it's easier to get up for games against Manchester United ... but I have no doubts we'll be at the same level against Hull; we have to be, we only have six games left.

"It will be a pressure game, a different situation and we have to make sure we are ready for it. We have to attack the way we did against United and then keep a clean sheet."

Tainio, the former Tottenham midfielder, hopes to stay involved for the rest of the season after overcoming a knee problem.

"I felt like I had no legs left after the United game," he said. "But it's nice to be back and I just want to stay fit and help the team."