Former Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley believes the Black Cats can win the Europa League this season, but only if manager Regis Le Bris finds the right balance between European and Premier League priorities. Speaking to Compare.bet, the 41-year-old, who spent six years at the Stadium of Light from 2008, stressed that staying in the Premier League remains the club's most important objective.
Premier League Struggles
Sunderland currently sit bottom of the Premier League table with just one win from seven matches. Bardsley acknowledged the club's domestic form is slipping, but insisted the European campaign should still be embraced.
"Sunderland can win the Europa League," Bardsley said. "Having said that it depends on how the manager prioritises it. You want to do as well as you can in Europe, but he'll have one eye on the Premier League, that's the bread and butter and the most important thing."
Enjoy the European Journey
Bardsley praised the players for reaching Europe, calling it an incredible achievement that seemed a distant memory a year ago. He added that the focus should be on enjoying the journey while keeping the Premier League as the main priority.
"Retaining Premier League status is where everyone wants to be. But they should enjoy this European journey for whatever it brings," he said. "They deserve it. The players have worked extremely hard to get to a point that probably seemed a distant memory a year ago. Finishing in Europe was an incredible achievement. But for them, the focus should be to enjoy the European journey while keeping the Premier League as the main priority."
Fixture Demands and Fan Patience
With Sunderland juggling European and domestic commitments for the first time in 53 years, Bardsley warned that the fixture load could prove tough. He pointed to the Thursday-Sunday schedule alongside cup competitions as a potential challenge during the winter months.
"The fixture load and demands will be where Sunderland struggle," Bardsley continued. "The start of the season is okay because you're eager to get going, and the buzz of European football carries you. But it gets tough when you're playing Thursday-Sunday-Thursday-Sunday alongside the FA Cup and League Cup. They've started okay and their European campaign got off to a positive start, but these winter months will really test them."
Bardsley called on supporters to stick with the team through difficult weeks, noting the fans have been outstanding over the last 18 months. He believes the squad is good enough to compete, though he does not expect a top-half finish in the Premier League.
Rivalry with Newcastle
Bardsley also said it is time for Sunderland to shine over Newcastle, with the Black Cats being the only team in the region with European football this season. He noted Newcastle have lost key players but look settled under their new manager, and the gap between the two clubs is closing.
"Looking at it from Newcastle's point of view, there's been a lot of change up there also," he declared. "They've lost personnel and key players, but the team looks settled under the new manager despite a tough result against Coventry. The players brought in are finding their feet, and the gap between the teams is closing, Sunderland coming up from the Championship and getting into Europe is amazing."
Bardsley concluded that Sunderland now have the chance to shine on both the European and domestic fronts, with a mid-table finish and a good European run representing a successful season.
