Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is determined not to allow his side's promising Premier League fightback to slip away.
Manager does not want to see Black Cats' league revival collapse
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is determined not to allow his side's promising Premier League fightback to slip away after suffering defeat by Blackburn in midweek.
The Black Cats produced a woeful display at Ewood Park to allow Steve Kean's strugglers to secure a 2-0 win, condemning Sunderland to their second Premier League defeat in four games.
However, the loss was only the Wearsiders' fifth since O'Neill took charge in December, with the manager having inspired a massive turnaround at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland host QPR in the league on Saturday before taking on Everton in their FA Cup quarter-final replay just three days later.
O'Neill has urged his side to keep their revival going as they juggle their league exploits with a potential chance for silverware.
Important
He said: "I am obviously relieved to have the number of points we have at the moment.
"You wouldn't want it to slip away, but by the same token, the FA Cup quarter-final game on Tuesday is very important."
QPR will run out having staged an astonishing comeback to transform a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win over Liverpool in front of the watching O'Neill, or at least in part.
He admitted: "I left, unfortunately, in the 81st minute because they are inclined the close the gates then, so I actually missed the final two goals."
