Friday 18 November 2016 16:21, UK
Sunderland boss David Moyes has described Saturday's home clash with Hull as 'a typical six-pointer,' between two sides struggling for survival in the Premier League.
The Black Cats go into the contest on the back of their first league win of the season, but remain bottom of the table and six points from safety.
Opponents Hull also won their most recent match, following a run of eight games which yielded just a single point, after winning their opening two fixtures of the season.
Looking ahead to this weekend's encounter, Moyes admitted: "They had a difficult pre-season starting with Steve [Bruce] leaving and Mick [Phelan] taking over. I watched them last time as well and they picked up a really important three points.
"It's a six-pointer. They started the season very well, surprisingly. But sometimes in adversity that works for you.
"Sometimes in football you make changes. I chose to make some when I went to Manchester United."
As for Sunderland's 2-1 win at Bournemouth last time out, the Scot added: "I feel it's a monkey off our backs. We've had a good couple of weeks but the result was coming.
"We've been close along the line and it feels good to win again and I'm looking forward to it happening more often.
"They've worked hard to get it as well. Overall, we've deserved it. We've had great support from the fans. We've got a lot of things going for us so we want to try and keep it going."
Sunderland have also had their share of injuries this season but Moyes is hopeful that the club's prospects are looking up.
He went on: "I'm hoping we are through the worst of injuries you never know how luck goes for you. But the old saying goes you have to work to make your own luck.
"We have to turn any bad luck into good luck if we can. The players are in good spirits after that win and we'll try and do it again now.
We’ve got a lot of things going for us so we want to try and keep it going.
"We've got people making good progress like Vito Mannone, who's had some game time. Seb Larsson had some game time. Fabio Borini is not back yet and neither is Lee Cattermole. But in the main we're better.
"Jack Rodwell has got an injury and not available. Jan Kirchhoff is back in training but not available. Januzaj is back."
