Sunderland have conceded nine goals across their last two matches in the Premier League.

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has admitted that it is “some kind of concern” to see the Black Cats concede nine goals across their last two matches.

Regis Le Bris’ men have shipped 45 goals since making their return to the Premier League last year, but a pair of costly defeats against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the past fortnight have accounted for a fifth of that tally.

A battling 4-3 loss at Villa Park was swiftly followed by a stinging 5-0 rout on home soil last Friday, and speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, Phillips argued that Sunderland’s sudden vulnerability at the back is something that needs to be addressed before their trip to Wolves on Saturday.

What has Kevin Phillips said about Sunderland’s recent defensive record?

He said: “It's got to be some type of concern to concede that amount of goals. When you look at their record for the whole season, it's been excellent. And then to shift nine goals in two games in quick succession, you'd have to say it's something that needs to be addressed, something that needs to be worked on the training grounds.

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“There have been some variations of the partnerships at the back, so you have to be aware of them, but I don't think you can make too much of it. They've got a good opportunity at the weekend away at Wolves to try and shore that defence up. It'll be tested, but it's certainly something that if I were the manager, I'd be looking into and addressing on the training ground for sure.”

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