Sunderland manager David Moyes dropped Didier Ndong to bring more 'Britishness' to his midfield in 0-0 draw with Burnley
- Sunderland drew 0-0 with Burnley and remain rooted to the foot of the table
- David Moyes dropped Didier Ndong and instead played Jack Rodwell in midfield
- Moyes said he made the move in order to bring 'Britishness' to his midfield
- The Black Cats are seven points from safety with 10 matches left to play
Sunderland manager David Moyes has revealed he dropped Didier Ndong for Saturday's clash with Burnley in order to bring more 'Britishness' to his midfield.
The Black Cats did their chances of staying in the Premier League little good as they drew 0-0 with the Clarets at the Stadium of Light, leaving them firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, seven points from safety.
In a bid to secure just their second league victory of 2017, Moyes surprisingly switched up his midfield by bringing in Jack Rodwell in place of Ndong, with the outcome doing little to help his side's cause as they lacked creativity and drive.
David Moyes holds his head in his hands during Sunderland's 0-0 draw with Burnley
In explaining his decision after the game, Moyes insisted the move to pair Rodwell with Darron Gibson was made in order to add a British streak to proceedings.
'I decided I wanted Jack and Gibbo together. I thought the game might suit more Britishness in the middle of the pitch.
'I just felt I would go with that in the middle and the two boys up front.'
Moyes selected Jack Rodwell (left) in the place of Dider Ndong (right) against Burnley
Moyes also admitted the prospect of his side staying in the Premier League is becoming more and more unlikely, with the former Manchester United and Everton boss accepting it may well need something 'special'.
'We are getting close to needing something special. It's been done here regularly. Let's hope,' he said.
'I'm not kidding anyone on and we haven't done from the start – it'll need some really big results.
'We took a point. I wanted three points, I see this as two points dropped. I have to use it as something to build on.'
When the Premier League resumes following the international break, Sunderland face crunch visits to Watford and Leicester, prior to a home game against Moyes' former club, Manchester United.
Moyes has admitted it may need 'something special' to keep Sunderland in the Premier League
Most watched Sport videos
- England manager Sarina Wiegman slams coach-player relationships
- David Seaman on Southgate, England & EURO 2024
- Heartwarming moment NY Red Bulls players give their coats to mascots
- New York Jets star Sauce Gardner claims Jewish people 'run the world'
- Gareth Southgate comments on design change of new England shirt
- Fake clip claiming to show Swift and Kelce falling off a swing
- Travis and Jason Kelce CLASH over who would win a drinking contest
- Shocking moment footy star strikes rival during heated contest
- Barstool Sports chief vows to double money for family of slain officer
- Steph Houghton trains with England team mates ahead of World Cup
- YouTuber buys Marcus Rashford's wrecked £700k Rolls-Royce
- Kelce dances to Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' on the golf course