MX23RW : Monday, November 18 20:28:15| >> :600:150487:150487:

Sunderland's John O'Shea: 'Cup runs not distractions'

John O'Shea says that the Sunderland players are enjoying their cup success, despite struggling in the Premier League.

Sunderland defender John O'Shea has insisted that his side's cup runs have not distracted the players from their Premier League target of avoiding relegation.

The Black Cats will take on Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday and have also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

However, Gus Poyet's team are currently third from bottom in the league table with 24 points from 26 matches.

"This season, for Sunderland, we're in the final of one and the quarter-final of the FA Cup with a good chance to progress to a semi-final," the Daily Star quotes the 32-year-old as saying.

"Ideally, we'd like to be that bit higher in the league. People are asking if the cup runs will distract us. I can't see how they will, because everyone knows how important it is to stay in the Premier League. But if you have the chance to win a major trophy along with it, you have to take it.

"You just have to look at Sunderland's history of reaching finals. You soon realise they're treasured moments, so you have to really embrace it. But you enjoy the day by winning the trophy – and it would be an incredible way for me to celebrate my 100th game."

O'Shea joined Sunderland from Manchester United in 2011.

ID:142017: cacheID:142017:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2347:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sunderland's John O'Shea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Chelsea during their Premier League match on December 4, 2013
Read Next:
O'Shea: 'Gardner goal was fantastic'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!