Sunderland must show mental toughness at Burnley says Giaccherini

The Black Cats have fought back from a goal down to secure a draw in three of their opening four Premier League outings, despite being dominated by an impressive Spurs side last Saturday.

While Gus Poyet’s men remain on the look-out for a first top flight victory of the campaign, Sunderland have demonstrated there is more resilience in their ranks than at this stage 12 months ago.

But Italian international Giaccherini believes Sunderland will need all of that new-found determination in front of almost 4,000 travelling supporters at Turf Moor this Saturday.

Newly-promoted Burnley haven’t scored since the opening weekend of the campaign, yet Giaccherini knows the Clarets will be desperate to record a first Premier League win since May 2010.

Giaccherini told SportMail: “Our two home games have been difficult against Man United and Tottenham.

“For me, I think we’ve made a good start. These are not easy games.

“But Burnley is a different game. Maybe less quality, but they’ll be more aggressive and have more attitude.

“We are mentally stronger now. This season for me, the mentality has changed.

“Every player thinks for the team, rather than themselves, and that’s important.”

He added: “We were very happy with a great point against Spurs.

“It wasn’t easy because Tottenham are a very strong team.

“But in the end, a point was a good result. Last season, we would have lost that game.

“This year, it’s better because when the team is suffering, all the players stay in the game for 90 minutes.”

Giaccherini is in contention to make his first start of the campaign at Turf Moor after impressing Poyet on the training ground throughout the summer and helping the Black Cats snatch a point against Spurs, following his introduction from the bench.