text: Dick Advocaat has serious concerns over the strength of Sunderland’s players ahead of their relegation run-in. The Black Cats are two places and three points above the drop zone but have won just one in nine and end their season with trips to Arsenal and Chelsea. It has left them as odds-on with some bookmakers to finish inside the bottom three come May 24. Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has concerns about the physical strength of his players . Advocaat has never been relegated during 28 years as a manager but admits he is worried about that record having watched Sunderland slump to a 4-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Next up is a trip to Stoke City and the Dutch boss fears his team lacks the muscle for such a test. ‘We are not a real physical team,’ said the 67-year-old. ‘If you compare us with the other teams, that’s a big difference. ‘In the Premier League, you need physical players as well. We have to think about that for the game with Stoke City. Sunderland were beaten 4-1 by Crystal Palace on Saturday and are three points above the relegation zone . ‘We have different type of players, who are more combination players, than with more pace. ‘We have to find a combination to create chances and win games. We cannot complain to each other. You win games together, you lose games together. ‘They also know they played badly in the second half against Crystal Palace. The way we gave the goals away was very poor. ‘But we have to do it with this squad, and we will do it with this squad.’
target: Sunderland face Stoke City next up in the Premier League on April 25 .
  The Black Cats are just three points above the relegation zone .
  Dick Advocaat has concerns about the strength of his players .