Dennis Cirkin says there are 'no limits' to what this young Sunderland team can achieve. Cirkin scored both goals as the Black Cats came from behind to beat play-off rivals West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Sunday and move to sixth place in the Championship with just two games of their season remaining.
Sunderland won promotion from League One via the play-offs last season and find themselves again in the running for a top six place, this time in the fiercely competitive second tier. And with a young squad - Sunderland's group has the lowest average age in the division - packed with talent, under the tutelage of experienced head coach Tony Mowbray, Cirkin is optimistic about the future.
"I'd say there are no limits to our team," said Cirkin, who turned 21 earlier this month. "Every single player and the whole team is just incredible.
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"I think I have mentioned before that I was injured and came down to the Fulham game away in the FA Cup. We played really exciting football [that day], individual talent was just brilliant and there are no limits to what we can achieve.
"We know that, I think Being part of this young team, I still think it's a mix. We have the more experienced players like Danny Batth, Lynden Gooch, Corry Evans, those type of players. Having this young team as well, it's good to be a part of and it's really exciting."
Sunderland trailed at half-time against the Baggies after John Swift scored from the penalty spot after he was harshly adjudged to have been fouled by Luke O'Nien. But Cirkin headed the Black Cats level early in the second period, and then started and finished a brilliant team move five minutes from time to complete the turnaround.
He said: "First of all it was a really good result for the team. I think going 1-0 down and still having that resilience. I think I heard a stat that we might be up there with the most goals in the 80th to 90th minute and I feel like nothing will faze us as a team. We don't give up.
"Second of all, every single game the support from the fans is just incredible. The trips that they do, we really appreciate it and are so grateful. It drives us every single game."
He added: "I feel like it was a bit of a tough first half for me. For their goal I was just a bit sloppy and slow on the ball.
"We had a good chat at half-time and I feel like, again, we don't give up. Even though we are 1-0 down we feel the energy and feel the buzz so we keep going.
"I've had a lot of injuries and stuff [this season] but scoring goals and helping the team is really important. I'm just glad I could do that."
Cirkin was making his return from suspension at the weekend, and his brace took him to four goals for the season. Sunderland's play-off bid continues on Saturday, when they take on Watford at the Stadium of Light.
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