Sunderland can break duck at Burnley

Gus Poyet’s side head to newly-promoted Burnley tomorrow still searching for their first top flight victory of the campaign after drawing three of their opening four games.

Sunderland were winless for the opening eight games last season, while head coach Poyet said last weekend that he was keen to avoid dwelling on the delay in recording that maiden victory in case it developed into a complex.

But while Dutch international van Aanholt is desperate for Sunderland to get off the mark at Turf Moor, he insists the Black Cats dressing room remains mentally strong.

“I don’t think so, no,” said van Aanholt, when asked if the wait for a win was becoming a psychological barrier.

“We have only lost one game so far, and drawn three, so we can be fairly happy.

“Obviously we want to win every game, but if you can’t do that then of course it is important not to lose.

“Three points at Burnley would be very nice, though!”

Burnley are also searching for their first league win since returning to the Premier League after drawing their last two top flight outings.

And Sunderland received a tough lesson of the dangers which come with facing newly-promoted opposition on the road, when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at QPR in their last away game.

Dutch international van Aanholt added: “I think we go into every game with the mentality that we have to win.

“Burnley is next and we go into it, play our own game and try to get three points over there before moving on to the next one.

“It’s not going to be easy because this is the Premier League and every game is tough.

“We saw that in our last away game at QPR.

“We are away from home again tomorrow, but we will play our own game and if we perform well and do the right things, we can win.

“But we have to make sure we play the right way, defend well and make the most of our chances.”