Ex-Arsenal keeper Mannone confident of good times ahead for Sunderland
EX-ARSENAL keeper Vito Mannone has set his sights high for next season and expects Sunderland to be looking up the table rather than down in the months ahead.
Last season the Black Cats started indifferently before fading further – only being saved from the prospect of relegation in the last week of the campaign.
But Mannone is anticipating a much better season coming up for a vastly re-modelled Sunderland squad.
And the £2m signing hopes the sort of strength in depth the Black Cats have spent the summer trying to acquire – such as the competition for the number one jersey between him and Keiren Westwood – can only stand the club in good stead.
“There is a long season ahead of us and the club does not want a repeat of last year, when it was involved in a relegation battle,” said the 25-year-old.
“We want to achieve something better this season, make it a successful and enjoyable year, and not give the fans another nervous end to the season!”
With last year’s Player of the Season Simon Mignolet moving on to Liverpool and Mannone coming in to challenge Republic of Ireland international Westwood for the number one spot, Di Canio has a decision to make over who will start the season in goal against Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
When the Italian first arrived from the Emirates it was assumed he had come in purely as back-up to Westwood.
But the new man has played more pre-season minutes than Westwood – although the Irishman played the full game in last week’s dress rehearsal against Danish side FC Midjytlland.
Both goalkeepers naturally want the number one spot.
Westwood was hugely frustrated last season at how little first-team time he got, while Mannone has admitted that one of the big draws of moving to Wearside was the prospect of getting more first-team action.
The new man will appreciate that Westwood is more likely to get the nod this weekend as the more experienced and established keeper at the Stadium of Light.
But Mannone is very optimistic about the future and is looking forward to being part of a Sunderland squad at the Stadium of Light this season, rather than part of the visiting opposition.
He said: “I’ve been here to the Stadium of Light a few times, but only on the bench – I have never played here.
“I was really impressed.
“It was one of the noisiest grounds, especially last season when Arsenal came here and Sunderland gave us a difficult game and were pushing us hard.
“Arsenal went on to win 1-0, but I think Sunderland deserved something out of the game if I am honest.
“I was really impressed at the way the fans got behind their team, and I expect the atmosphere will be just as good this season.”
H Tickets are still available for Sunderland’s opening day clash with Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The 3pm kick-off will see Paolo Di Canio’s new-look side in competitive action for the first time since May.
New signings Emanuele Giaccherini, Jozy Altidore, and Cabral are expected to make their home debuts against Martin Jol’s Cottagers.
Tickets for the game are priced from £25 for adults, £18 for under-22s, £19 for over 65s and £10 for juniors, and can be purchased in-person at the Stadium of Light ticket office, by telephoning 0871 911 1973 or online via www.safc.com.
Hospitality packages for the are priced from £50 per person. For more information or to book hospitality, call 0871 911 1555.
Sunderland's relegation fears are a thing of the past, insists Mannone
Summer signing Vito Mannone promises Sunderland fans relegation fears are a thing of the past
Summer recruit Vito Mannone has promised Sunderland fans there will be no repeat of last season’s down-to-the-wire relegation struggle.
The Black Cats were in the relegation mire right up to the final week of the season in May, with only Wigan’s midweek defeat against Mannone’s former club Arsenal eventually quelling the anxiety on Wearside and ensuring Sunderland went into their last-day game at Spurs knowing they were safe.
Since then goalkeeper Mannone is among 10 new players who have arrived at Sunderland as new head coach Paolo Di Canio has revamped the squad he inherited.
Mannone insists the club has set its sights much higher this time around as the Black Cats prepare to kick-off the new campaign this weekend.
The 25-year-old said: “There is a long season ahead of us and the club does not want a repeat of last year, when it was involved in a relegation battle.
“We want to achieve something better this season, make it a successful and enjoyable year – and not give the fans another nervous end to the season!”
With Simon Mignolet moving on to Liverpool this summer and Mannone arriving to challenge Republic of Ireland international Keiren Westwood for the number one spot, Di Canio has a decision to make over who will start the season in goal against Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Mannone has started more games and played more minutes in pre-season, but Westwood was between the posts for last week’s dress-rehearsal friendly against Danish side FC Midtjylland.
Whether or not he gets the nod this weekend, Mannone is looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light as a Sunderland player.
He added: “I’ve been here to the Stadium of Light a few times, but only on the bench – I have never played here.
“I was really impressed. It was one of the noisiest grounds, especially last season when Arsenal came here and Sunderland gave us a difficult game and were pushing us hard.
“I was really impressed at the way the fans got behind their team and I expect the atmosphere will be just as good this season.”
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone has admitted that he is excited to play in front of the club's supporters this season.
Mannone left Arsenal to move to the Black Cats during the summer, and the Italian stopper has revealed that he has previously taken note of the desire of the Stadium of Light fans.
The 25-year-old told the Shields Gazette: "I've been here to the Stadium of Light a few times, but only on the bench. I have never played here.
"I was really impressed. It was one of the noisiest grounds, especially last season when Arsenal came here and Sunderland gave us a difficult game and they were pushing us hard.
"I was really impressed at the way the fans got behind their team, and I expect the atmosphere will be just as good this season."
Sunderland begin their Premier League campaign with a home match with Fulham on Saturday.
Transfer Talk: Sunderland Eye Move For Valencia Defender Aly Cissokho
Sky Sports understands Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Valencia defender Aly Cissokho.
The France international has been strongly linked with a switch to England for some time and he is now ready to take on a Premier League challenge.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Cissokho, but it appears they have shelved their interest and switched their attentions to Guilherme Siqueira.
It leaves the way clear for the Wearside club with Black Cats boss Paolo Di Canio in the market for another left-back.
Valencia are thought to be open to the idea of selling Cissokho due to their financial problems, while Sunderland are hoping to land the former Lyon man on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Sources close to the player claim personal terms have been agreed but the terms of the deal have yet to be decided.
However, Sunderland could face competition for Cissokho's signature with Turkish side Besiktas expressing an interest in the 25-year-old.
Team news, manager quotes and stats ahead of the Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light.
TEAM NEWS
Jozy Altidore and Emanuele Giaccherini are set to make their competitive debuts while former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone could get the nod ahead of Keiren Westwood. Defender Wes Brown has been ruled out as a precautionary measure after a slight recurrence of a knee complaint, striker Steven Fletcher is also forced to miss the opening game with an ankle injury, while Craig Gardner is suspended.
Fulham's new signing Darren Bent could be in line to make his debut, but midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic is a doubt because of a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper David Stockdale is struggling with a thumb problem, but new signing Maarten Stekelenburg is the club's number one choice in the position. Adel Taarabt, a loan signing from QPR, is short of match fitness but will be included in the squad.
MANAGER QUOTES
Paolo Di Canio: "I don't hope (Jozy Altidore) will be a success here, I know he will. He will score many goals for us. I can't give you a number but it will be 15 or more if he uses the energy he did for the national team. He is an animal. He did not have a fantastic experience at Hull but he was young and they struggled. He left, went around Europe and grew up and last year finished with a very good goals tally."
Martin Jol: "Darren Bent is a striker I have always admired. He has shown in the Premier League that he is composed and clinical in front of goal but, even if he is not scoring, he is involved in some good link-up play, creating opportunities for his team-mates. He gives us pace up front and I am confident he will add to our goals scored tally this season."
MATCH FACTS
Fulham are unbeaten in their last four Barclays Premier League away trips to Sunderland (W1 D3).
Sunderland have won only one of their last eight Barclays Premier League home games.
Both teams scored a penalty in this fixture last season (Gardner and Berbatov).
Fulham have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four Premier League games on the opening day of the season.
The Whites have only won one of their seven previous top-flight away games on the opening day (D2 L4), winning 1-0 at Portsmouth back in 2009/10.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last four games on the opening day of the season, though they have drawn their last three.
Indeed the Black Cats have only scored eight goals in 12 previous Premier League opening fixtures combined.
Sunderland scored just two headed goals in 2012/13 – a league-low.
Dimitar Berbatov scored the first goal of the game more often than any other player in 2012/13 (nine times).
Fulham gained just five points from losing positions in the whole of last season, a league-low.
ODDS
aolo Di Canio will be hoping his new-look Sunderland side clicks when they play host to Fulham on the opening day.
It has been a hectic summer of transfer activity at the Stadium of Light, with Di Canio looking to put his own stamp on an underperforming squad he inherited from Martin O'Neill.
A major overhaul of the playing staff could work in the Black Cats' favour, as they look to avoid being dragged into another basement battle, but they will be aware of the need for fresh faces to hit the ground running.
A slow start to the 2012/13 campaign, which brought just one win in 10, left Sunderland playing catch-up and they must avoid suffering a similar fate this time around.
Fulham have also made the most of the opportunity to add during the current window and are likely to hand out a number of competitive debuts of their own.
Martin Jol's side remain an ageing outfit, but have further bolstered their attacking ranks and are unlikely to be found wanting in the creativity department.
Plugging defensive holes will be the priority for the Cottagers, with an untimely slump towards the end of last season leaving them with issues to address at the start of their first campaign under new owner Shahid Khan.
Sunderland boss Di Canio is expected to name the majority of his 10 summer signings in his starting line-up.
Jozy Altidore and Emanuele Giaccherini are set to make their competitive debuts while former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone could get the nod ahead of Keiren Westwood.
Defender Wes Brown has been ruled out as a precautionary measure after a slight recurrence of a knee complaint, striker Steven Fletcher is also forced to miss the opening game with an ankle injury, while Craig Gardner is suspended.
Fulham midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Wearside because of a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper David Stockdale is struggling with a thumb problem, but new signing Maarten Stekelenburg is the club's number one choice in that position.
Adel Taarabt, a loan signing from QPR, is short of match fitness but will be included in the squad
Opta stats
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last four games on the opening day of the season, though they have drawn their last three.
Fulham have only won one of their seven previous top-flight away games on the opening day (D2 L4), winning 1-0 at Portsmouth back in 2009/10.
Fulham have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four Premier League games on the opening day of the season.
Di Canio strips Cattermole of his No 6 shirt (on top of his captaincy)
Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has officially been ostracised by manager Paolo Di Canio after he lost the Number 6 shirt in the official squad number list released today having already been stripped of the armband.
New signing Cabral, a Cape Verde international midfielder from FC Basle, has taken Cattermole’s shirt in the squad list announced by the club today. Cattermole, who has not featured in pre-season and now looks certain to leave the club, has been given the number 33 shirt.
With numbers 1 to 4 available, the decision to give Cattermole’s long established shirt to a direct replacement like Cabral is further indication that the former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder’s days on Wearside are numbered.
Di Canio, who has yet to have Cattermole available for selection due to a knee injury, is prepared to move the captain on but his most likely destination was Hull City and their manager Steve Bruce has now signed Tom Huddlestone, beating Di Canio to his signature, as well as taking Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore on loan.
Cattermole only signed a new improved deal under Martin O’Neill last season so could be difficult to move on, leaving Di Canio with the nightmare scenario of an unhappy player on his books. Scotland defender Phil Bardsley has also been told he can leave but he broke his foot this week and could be out for several months.
Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea, who was vice captain last season, is the new Sunderland captain.
The other notable change in the Sunderland squad list is a Number 9 shirt for Steven Fletcher, replacing Danny Graham who has joined Hull on loan.
But the Number 1 shirt remains empty as Di Canio leaves Keiren Westwood (20) and new signing Vito Mannone (25) to fight for the right to start the season in goal.
He is also still looking for new additions despite signing 10 new players in the summer, with an attacking midfielder his priority.
Di Canio said: `We are searching for a real playmaker. Jack Colback can play in the middle but in a different way. One day he can be adapted. Even Craig Gardner can play there, but again in a different way. One day he will probably play there because we will be struggling for numbers in the middle. And maybe one day when we need more intensity and more aggression. But in the way that I want to play I would like to have two playmakers.
`Before Emanuele Giaccherini’s arrival I asked them for a different player in the middle with a lot of energy and aggression. But Giaccherini’s arrival gave me a chance to change things because he is fantastic in the way he can run midfield.
`I need a real playmaker that can bring tempo, quality and personality as well as physical presence. Before the weekend is not easy to make a signing but it is important to understand we need something there.
`If we move Colback into the middle we don’t have a natural left back, but this is not an issue now, although in the longer run it could be a problem. The club agree with me on this so we are working on it.’
Kasami secures opening day win Sunderland 0-1 Fulham: Kasami secures opening day win
Sunderland were forced to pay for not taking their chances as Fulham claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the outset and had a number of good goalscoring opportunities through striker Jozy Altidore, but the visitors only needed one chance as Pajtim Kasami headed home from a corner in the second half.
Paolo Di Canio was without suspended duo Craig Gardner and David Vaughan for the opening fixture, while Steven Fletcher was forced to miss out with the ankle injury that ended his previous campaign in March.
But the Italian coach was able to hand debuts to five of his 10 summer signings, including striker Altidore, Emanuele Giaccherini and Cabral.
Meanwhile, Alexander Kacaniklic was the only notable absentee for Martin Jol, after he picked up a hamstring injury during July’s 1-0 pre-season defeat to Werder Bremen.
USA international Altidore looked dangerous from the outset and caused a number of problems for Fulham debutant Derek Boateng, who picked up an early yellow card after a string of fouls.
Cabral also made a bright start to the game and looked to impress the Sunderland fans with some long-range efforts, with his second shot flying a few inches wide of the post in the 25th minute.
Sunderland created the most chances during the opening exchanges and, after Altidore went close to connecting with a Jack Colback cross in the six-yard box, the hosts really started to test Maarten Stekelenburg.
Giaccherini fired a powerful 25-yard effort straight at the Fulham goalkeeper, before Ondrej Celustka forced the Netherlands international into a brilliant finger-tip save with a fierce half-volley from distance.
The hosts could not convert their dominance into goals, however, as the sides headed in at the break goalless.
And Sunderland were made to pay for their wastefulness as Fulham went on to score from their first real chance of the game after the interval.
Kasami towered above Valentin Roberge at the back post to nod home a corner from Damien Duff in the 53rd minute, claiming his first Fulham goal since joining from Palermo in 2011.
But the hosts rallied after going behind and both Adam Johnson and Altidore continued to cause problems for the Fulham backline.
Altidore produced an excellent turn on the edge of the area but dragged his effort wide, before failing to convert Giaccherini's deflected shot from close range in the 75th minute.
The striker injured Stekelenburg's shoulder in the process and the goalkeeper had to be replaced by David Stockdale, which ruled out a late debut for Aston Villa loanee Darren Bent.
Sunderland desperately tried to find an equaliser during the closing stages and substitute Ji Dong-Won went extremely close with a header from a brilliant Johnson cross.
But despite five minutes of injury time, Di Canio's men failed to find the net and suffered defeat on the first day of the new season.
16 John O'Shea 0 1
Sunderland captain O'Shea was an effective communicator in directing his back-line and managed to get up for a few corners but could not change the outcome of the game.
7 Sebastian Larsson 0 0
Larsson did very well cutting inside and providing some precise balls into the box but there was often no one was there to direct them goalwards.
21 Adam Johnson 0 0
The winger showed great intent today by cutting inside on the right and working well with Sessegnon and Cabral to try and change the final result.
- Jozy Altidore 2 0
Sunderland fans will have expected more from Altidore today after scoring a hat-trick against Bosnia in midweek but his efforts were dealt with well by the strong and stubborn Brede Hangeland.
28 Stéphane Sessegnon 0 0
Sessegnon linked up very well with Adam Johnson with some neat one-two play to try and open up the defence in the early stages and in the second half, set-up Johnson nicely for a volley that was directed wide of the mark.
- Cabral 0 0
A bright debut for Cabral who was determined to get on the scoresheet with three first half efforts but could not find the back of the net.
- Valentin Roberge 0 0
Had very little to offer today. Was periperhal, ineffective and off the pace, and clearly needs more experience at this level.
14 Jack Colback 0 0
Former England Under-20 international Colback showed a lot of promise by remaining strong and shouldering off all challenges when guarding the ball. He also showed good pace on the breakaway.
20 Keiren Westwood 0 0
Had very little to do in the first-half but did not get over in time to prevent Kasami's goal, though there was little he could have down to stop it. Rarely tested otherwise.
- Emanuele Giaccherini 0 0
A very good display on debut for the Italian midfield maestro as he picked out Altidore a few times in the box but the American was unable to get a good touch on it for an equaliser. A promising performance all-round.
- Ondřej Čelůstka 0 0
A very impressive debut for the Trabzonspor-loanee. Made some excellent challenges and almost grabbed a debut top-corner goal from 25-yards.
17 Dong-Won Ji 0 0
The Korean's only contribution to the game was a late chance to snatch a draw right at the death, but his point-blank header could not find the back of the net.
HALF-TIME SUNDERLAND 0-0 FULHAM. Football is back but so far the bang is sadly lacking. It was almost provided by Sunderland's Celustka, but apart from his long-range pile-driver there has been very little action at the Stadium of Light so far.
45
A sniff was all it was and a sniff it remains as Taarabt sends the free kick straight into the wall. Poor effort.
44
Right at the end of the half, Fulham have a sniff. Taarabt is brought down on the edge of the box by a clumsy Cabral tackle and this is certainly within striking distance.
43
The two main figures of the half square up and produce a rather predictable outcome. Giaccherini, who ahs easily been the highlight of a timid opening forty-five goes toe-to-toe with the unsure-looking Boateng. The little Italian skips past his Ghanaian opponent with ease, but Altidore nods the cross high and wide.
41
Just under five minutes until the break now and we've yet to see a goal. Apart from Celustka's rocket, chances have been few and far between in all honesty.
39
Of course Fulham aren't helping themselves at the moment. Brede Hangeland is almost dispossessed in his own half by a tenacious Sessegnon and his scuffed clearance falls at the feet of Johnson. Sunderland eventually win a free kick out of it but it could have been much better. Or worse, if you're sitting in a Fulham shirt.
37
Sunderland are enjoying a sustained period of pressure here but they've still to break the deadlock. You just wonder if they'll regret not making this count.
35
WHAT A HIT!!! Ondrej Celustka finds himself in unfamiliar territory in the Fulham half and when he picks up Jack Colback's lofted pass the ball sits up invitingly to hit from 30-yards. And hit he does! Only a finger-tip stop from Stekelenburg prevents the defender opening the scoring in memorable fashion.
33
Giaccherini provides us with the first shot on target of the afternoon but it's straight at Stekelenburg who deals with it comfortably despite the power behind it.
32
Giaccherini is looking increasingly dangerous as the game goes on. This time the Italian whips a low ball into the centre but Jozy Altidore can't get anything on it as it flashes across the face of goal.
30
A bit of a let off for 22-year old Matthew Briggs as he almost let's Adam Johnson nip the ball away from him on the bye-line. Luckily for the defender, Stekelenburg is alert to pounce on the loose ball.
28
We have the first signs of the Di Canio getting animated on the sidelines as he lambasts a wayward pass in midfield. The Italian general fixes his tie however and recomposes himself. Outburst averted.
26
This Cabral figure does like a shot. The Cape Verde man lines up another effort from the edge of the area, whistling just wide of Stekelenburg's right-hand post.
25
Seb Larsson smacks the free kick straight into the wall but his second delivery has to be poked behind by Steve Sidwell. A brave diving header from Kasami dismantles any threat from the following corner.
23
yellow_card Derek Boateng
The weather is getting better and Sunderland are beginning to hot up as well. Giaccherini embarks on a mazy run and is hacked down by Boateng, the Fulham man subsequently picking up a yellow card.
21
Boateng's first outing in a Fulham shirt has been exactly convincing as yet. The giant Ghanaian tries an acrobatic clearance from just outside his own box but gets it horribly wrong and ends up toe-poking the ball high in the air. His team-mates are on hand to bail him out this time around.
20
substitution Substitution Out Kieran Richardson Substitution In Matthew Briggs
Sure enough he does make way. Young Matthew Briggs is on in his place.
18
Not good news for Fulham and ex-Sunderland man Kieran Richardson. The winger is holding his thigh and it looks like he may have to go off here.
16
Clumsy tackle from Derek Boateng in the midfield brings up a free kick for the hosts. Not the most graceful you'll see this season but I guess someone has to fill the void left by Paul Scholes.
14
Wise move from Stekelenburg. The former Roma keeper has obviously been doing his Premier League homework on his opponents as he takes some time out to burst a few balloons in the penalty area. Even the Dutch keeper can remember what happened to Pepe Reina here just a few seasons ago.
12
We've had the first 10 minutes of Premier League football back in the North East and so far it has looked pretty good for Sunderland. Their wingers certainly look capable of hurting this Fulham defence this afternoon.
10
Cabral brings down Adel Taarabt about 35-yards from the Sunderland goal. The man on loan from QPR swings in the cross but the danger is headed clear.
9
First sight of goal for Fulham as Kasami shapes up to shoot, but a strong block from Celustka sees the danger cleared.
7
A couple of Sunderland's new-boys now trying to make their mark. Giaccherini, an excellent summer capture from Juventus, marauds down the left, firing in a dangerous low cross. When the ball deflects out it falls to former FC Basel midfielder Cabral, who fires wide with the first effort of the match.
5
Adam Johnson is player who got some stick for his slow start to life in Sunderland jersey last season. He's started well today though, out-muscling Richardson with ease before playing in Sessegnon who was in an offside position.
3
An early corner for the home side is punched clear by Maarten Stekelenburg making his debut between the sticks for Fulham today. That will do his confidence no harm in the early stages.
2
Early chants of Paolo Di Canio are belted out by the home fans. The little Italian has been awarded cult hero status on Wearside after masterminding their side's survival last season, and not to mention, the dismantling of Newcastle at St James' Park.
1
We are off! Jozy Altidore and Stephan Sessegnon get the ball rolling and football is officially back in the North East
The stadium announcer goes through the squads once more and a host of boos are generated by the name of former Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff. The rivalry between the two North East sides is something definitely will not change in the season ahead.
Out come the teams to a deafening reception. The handshakes are still a necessary event for the season ahead. We're past those as well now, all that's left is the big kick off.
The Stadium is filling up on Wearside quite nicely now. A fantastic mixture of nerves and excitement swirling around as both sides prepare to embark on the new season ahead.
FULHAM:(4-4-1-1) Stekelenburg; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Richardson; Kasami, Boateng, Sidwell, Duff; Taarabt; Berbatov. SUBS: Senderos, Ruiz, Stockdale, Karagounis, Briggs, Rodallega, Bent.
SUNDERLAND: (4-4-1-1) Westwood, Celustka, Roberge, O'Shea, Colback; Giaccherini, Larsson, Cabral, Johnson; Sessegnon; Altidore. SUBS: Wickham, Mandron, Moberg Karlsson, Diakite, Ba, Cuellar, Ji.
We are about 10 minutes or so from kick off so let's get some team news from the Stadium of Light.
There have been big changes at Craven Cottage too over the summer as Shahid Khan bought the club from Mohamed Al Fayed, ending the Harrods owners 16-year association with the club. There have been changes on the pitch too, and Martin Jol is able to hands out three debuts this afternoon.
Paolo Di Canio has overseen wholesale changes to his squad after squeezing out of the relegation trap door last season. He has made no fewer than 10 summer signings as he looks to whip the North East side back into shape, and five of those recruits are handed a debut this afternoon.
It's the most eagerly anticipated day of the season as the slate is wiped clean and every side starts from the same spot. Each team harbouring genuine hope for the season ahead, and the Black Cats and the Cottagers are no different.
Yes after a three month hiatus we can finally wrestle back the tv remotes from the other half and don those replica shirts with pride. I'm Harry Slavin and I'll be with you take you through the action as Sunderland entertain Fulham on the first day of the season.
It's been a long time coming but it's finally here. It's time to down those tennis rackets and cricket bats. It's time to put those deck chairs back into the shed for another year and leave your gran in the garden sipping gin by herself. The hibernation is finally over, the Premier League is back!
FULL-TIME SUNDERLAND 0-1 FULHAM. Kasami's header at the beginning of the second period is the difference then in this subdued opening day affair. Sunderland certainly had their chances but their luck in front of goal without Steven Fletcher continues to be sparse in the new season.
90 +5
It's headed clear and that should do it...
90 +5
Now this surely is last chance saloon for the hosts. Giaccherini is fouled on the left by Riether. One last chance for Larsson to deliver...
90 +3
yellow_card Damien Duff
90 +3
It's headed clear though and Fulham threaten to break. Only a robust challenge from Altidore putting an end to Kasami's advance to goal.
90 +3
Jack Colback is hauled down by Duff and the Fulham winger is booked for that. Larsson has the chance to launch the ball into a busy penalty area.
90 +1
Into FIVE minutes of stoppage time we go! Can Sunderland salvage anything now?
89
THAT WAS THE CHANCE!!! Adam Johnson serves up the best cross of the game that is just screaming to be nodded home, but Korean Dong-Won can only head wide.
87
ALTIDORE! The bulky American slaloms his way through a couple of tackles in the Fulham area but his rushed effort on goal is weak and roles into the hands of Stockdale.
86
substitution Substitution Out Ondřej Čelůstka Substitution In Connor Wickham
86
Final role of the dice for Di Canio as he brings on Wickham for Celustka. The England Under-21 star has five minutes to elevate himself to super-sub status.
85
yellow_card Dimitar Berbatov
85
Berbatov, who has been virtually anonymous all day, is booked for an overzealous protest after taking exception to a Jack Colback challenge.
84
There was an official attendance here today of 43,905 but I'm not sure it's that full now as the away fans taunt the home supporters with chants of 'We can see you sneaking out'.
82
Giaccherini sends a looping cross over Stockdale that drops just too far ahead of Altidore. The ball was adjudged to have gone out in any case but still Sunderland press.
80
A cross from Altidore but this one is overhit. Signs of desperation seeping in to Sunderland's play here.
78
A disappointing end to what was a solid debut from the Dutch goalkeeper. His first half save was definitely a moment to savor.
76
substitution Substitution Out Maarten Stekelenburg Substitution In David Stockdale
Stekelenburg looks to have damaged his shoulder in that rush for the ball with Altidore. The official judgement is that he won't be able to continue and Stockdale is one in his place to see out the final fifteen.
73
More direct running from Johnson and a real chance falls to Giaccherini. The Italian's shot is deflected by Aaron Hughes into the path of Altidore, but the USA international can't reach the ball ahead of Stekelenburg.
72
substitution Substitution Out Stéphane Sessegnon Substitution In Dong-Won Ji
Sunderland do go to two up front. But there's still no sign of Wickham.Dong-Won Ji is on for Stephane Sessegnon for the final twenty.
69
That is a nasty challenge from Larsson, catching Katagounis on the shin with a high boot. The Swede is lucky though as no further action is taken.
67
It may be time for Di Canio to think about some changes too. The wide play is working but there is just no one in the middle to attack the crosses. There are strikers on the bench, including young Connor Wickham. But will the Italian be compelled to use them just yet?
65
substitution Substitution Out Derek Boateng Substitution In Giorgos Karagounis
65
I have to say, this makes a lot of sense. A lot of what Fulham have done today hasn't been of note but Boateng's performance has stood out like a sore thumb. He's replaced by Giorgos Karagounis.
64
Altidore gets his first sight of goal. The American takes down O'Shea's long ball and after a sharp turn, he's able to get his shot away, dragging it wide though of Stekelenburg's goal.
63
These walls are acting like magnets today. Adam Johnson's shot slams into the barricade of players 10-yards in front of him and his rebound catches the foot of Giaccherini in an offside position.
62
Chance now though. Altidore is hauled down by Hangeland and the Di Canio's side have a free kick on the edge of the Fulham area.
60
It's all Sunderland now as they look to get back on level terms. Scoring goals was one of there main problems last season, especially without Steven Fletcher on the field. That same problem is rearing its head at the beginning of this campaign.
58
More frustration for the hosts as more good wide movement isn't capitalised on in the centre. Johnson again terrorises Briggs down the right but his cutback is wasted as Cabral tries to take a touch rather than shooting first time.
57
Sunderland look to respond quickly and Adam Johnson nods the ball back into the path of Cabral. He cannot get himself set though and ends up skewing his half-volley horribly high and horribly wide.
55
Completely against the run of play Fulham have the lead. That's their only effort on goal so far this afternoon. And so far, it's the only strike that matters too
53
assist Damien Duff
53
goal GOAL Pajtim Kasami
GOOOAAAALLLL!!! FULHAM LEAD!!! A Corner is swung in from Damien Duff and Pajtim Kasami rises above Valentin Roberge at the back post to nod the Cottagers in front, silencing the home fans.
51
The pressure pays off as Sunderland have the ball back. They quickly lose it again though, this time in the crowd as Adam Johnson fires well over the bar from outside the area.
50
Sunderland are definitely trying to push higher up the park here and put pressure on Fulham whenever they have the ball. It's what the home fans want but they'll need to watch they don't leave themselves exposed.
48
Aaron Hughes has lost his boot in a challenge with Jozy Altidore bu the referee halts play for a foul on the Northern Irish defender and is reunited with his lost show.
46
Early problems for Fulham and they're caused by that man Giaccherini once again. He gets into the penalty area and delivers a low cross but no one is there to get on the end of it.
The teams are back out at a sunny Stadium of Light. Here we go again...
Fulham meanwhile have yet to have a single attempt on goal. They'll be hoping to rectify that in the second half.
A subdued opening forty-five from Wearside then as most of the players still appear to be on the beach. Giaccherini seems a very shrewd signing already and has excited the home side's fans with some of his dribbling.
Pajtim Kasami scored his first Fulham goal as they beat a dominant Sunderland on the opening day of the season.
The Black Cats, with five debutants, were the better team throughout but Kasami headed home from close range for the only goal in the second half.
Ondrej Celustka had the hosts' best chance but his 25-yard shot was saved brilliantly by Maarten Stekelenburg.
Ji Dong-Won could have rescued a point for Sunderland in the final minute but he headed Adam Johnson's cross wide.
Despite their win, the day ended on a worrying note for Fulham as £4m summer signing Stekelenburg came off injured and was replaced by David Stockdale.
The debutants
Sunderland
Ondrej Celustka - a right-back on loan from Trabzonspor
Valentin Roberge - a defender signed for free from Maritimo
Cabral - a midfielder signed for free from Basel
Emanuele Giaccherini - an attacking midfielder signed from Juventus for £6.5m
Jozy Altidore - a striker who joined for an undisclosed fee from AZ Alkmaar
Fulham
Maarten Stekelenburg - a goalkeeper signed for a reported £4m from Roma
Derek Boateng - a midfielder signed for free from Dnipro
Adel Taarabt - an attacking midfielder signed on loan from QPR
Stekelenburg picked up a shoulder injury while denying Jozy Altidore, who was Sunderland's most lively debutant.
The United States striker, who moved from AZ Alkmaar this summer, caused Fulham's defence problems throughout. The 23-year-old looks to have bulked out since his teenage loan spell at Hull City, when he scored only one goal in 28 Premier League appearances.
But Sunderland failure to score will have caused some concern for manager Paolo Di Canio, who took over towards the end of last season and steered them to safety from relegation.
The Italian made 10 summer signings and named half of them in his starting line-up. Three of them had efforts in the opening minutes, with Altidore's shot being defected for a corner, before Emanuele Giaccherini blazed over and Cabral failed to beat Stekelenburg with two efforts.
Fulham's day did not start well as left-back Kieran Richardson came off with a hamstring injury within 20 minutes and had to replaced by Matthew Briggs.
Sunderland were in the ascendency and right-back Celustka hit a wonderful half-volley from distance but Stekelenburg pulled off a great fingertip save to deny him.
The second half took the same pattern, with Adam Johnson curling a shot wide after a great counter-attack.
But they were made to pay for not scoring when Kasami lost Valentin Roberge to head home from close range at the far post from Damien Duff's corner - Fulham's first effort on target.
It was only a fourth Premier League start for 21-year-old midfielder Kasami, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Swiss side Lucerne.
Sunderland continued to push but Cabral, Johnson and Altidore all missed the target before substitute Ji squandered a great chance for a point when he headed wide.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio: "We played attractive football and dominated but in this country more than any other, set-pieces can cost points. It wasn't even an incredible challenge in the air.
"We played in their half for 80 minutes and delivered 30 balls into the opponents' area but didn't put the ball into the net. The only clear ball into our box cost a goal.
"I warned my players before - the players from abroad have to learn. I don't remember Keiren Westwood having the ball in his hands except when he was getting the ball from the net.
"If my players learn quickly why we lost the game, we will have a very good season."
Fulham boss Martin Jol: "I think it was a perfect away result but not a perfect performance. We had to grind out the result. It was a very scrappy game for us.
"Sunderland put so many players up front - they had four attacking players. We didn't do well at times. We have to try to control the midfield - we didn't do that in the first half and couldn't keep the ball. Against an energetic Sunderland team... it was a bit easier than we thought, in hindsight.
"We showed good team spirit. Adel Taarabt had to play 90 minutes despite not having a pre-season, similar for Kasami and Briggs."
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Sunderland v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday August 17, 2013, kick-off 15.00 (BST).
Saturday, August 17 2013
Sunderland v Fulham
Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day.
Sunderland (Possible, 4-4-1-1): Mannone; Celustika, O'Shea, Cuéllar, Colback; Giaccherini, Larsson, Cabral, Johnson; Sessegnon; Altidore.
Out: Bardsley (foot), Brown (knee), Cattermole (knee), Fletcher (ankle), Gardner, Vaughan (both suspended), Ji (unspecified).
Fulham (Possible, 4-3-1-2): Stekelenburg; Riether, Amorebieta, Hangeland, Richardson; Duff, Sidwell, Boateng, Ruiz; Berbatov, Bent.
Tests: Kacaniklic (hamstring), Stockdale (thumb).
Referee: Neil Swarbrick. Matches: 18, R0 Y61.
Related Articles
Final Premier League table 11 May 2013
Team News
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is expected to name the majority of his 10 summer signings in his starting line-up against Fulham.
Jozy Altidore and Emanuele Giaccherini are set to make their competitive debuts while former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone could get the nod ahead of Keiren Westwood.
Defender Wes Brown has been ruled out as a precautionary measure after a slight recurrence of a knee complaint, striker Steven Fletcher is also forced to miss the opening game with an ankle injury, while Craig Gardner is suspended.
Fulham midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic is a doubt because of a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper David Stockdale is struggling with a thumb problem, but new signing Maarten Stekelenburg is the club's number one choice in the position.
Adel Taarabt, a loan signing from QPR, is short of match fitness but will be included in the squad.
Match Notes
To make up for the influx of new faces populating Paolo Di Canio's much-changed side, there is likely to be a familiar one among the visitors.
Darren Bent, who left Sunderland in acrimonious circumstances two-and-a-half years ago, is available for his Fulham debut after joining on loan from Aston Villa.
No prizes for guessing the source of any goals for the visitors at the Stadium of Light.
Betting: Home 6-5, Away 23-10, Draw 23-10.
Stat of the game: Both Sunderland and Fulham are unbeaten in their last four opening-day games.
Jason Mellor's prediction: Sunderland 2 Fulham 1.
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday August 17, 2013.
The jury remains very much out on the summer revolution overseen by Paolo Di Canio at Sunderland, as for the fifth successive season Fulham hit the ground running to quickly dampen spirits on Wearside.
A goal eight minutes into the second-half, headed home at the far post by Pajtim Kasami as the Swiss Under-21 international out-jumped his marker Valentin Roberge, one of five debutants for the hosts, to a Damien Duff corner, ensured a losing start for Di Canio as the Italian head coach embarks on his first full campaign in charge.
Fulham, for who Darren Bent, the former Sunderland forward, remained on the bench throughout, were solid if unspectacular in securing a fifth consecutive clean sheet at the outset of a Premier League season. The visitors were content to sit back and soak up the pressure, while attempting to catch their opponents on the counter-attack, a tactic that ultimately paid dividends in a game where there was very little to choose between the sides.
Martin Jol's team were thankful to debutant Marten Stekelenburg for a stunning first-half fingertip save to deny a long-distance effort from Sunderland full-back Ondrej Celustka, as the hosts carved out the majority of the few clear chances. It proved to be an eventful afternoon for the Dutch international goalkeeper, who failed to see-out the 90 minutes, being forced off towards the end with a shoulder injury after a collision with Jozy Altidore.
Sunderland showed evidence of Di Canio's influence with a more measured build-up throughout, often playing the ball out fro the back. However, without injured Scotland international Steven Fletcher, they lacked a cutting edge, one which could well come when Altidore, the former Hull City loan player, gets back up to speed with the Premier League.
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The winning goal was notable for its simplicity as Kasami, making his first Premier League appearance for 11 months following a loan stint at Lucerne last season, applied a simple finish to Duff's far from threatening corner at the outset of the second period.
Sunderland enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the game, but rarely looked like turning that into an equalising goal. Ji Dong-won, the substitute, headed wastefully wide late on from Adam Johnson's inviting cross as Fulham recorded a fifth consecutive game undefeated at the Stadium of Light to leave Di Canio with much to ponder.
SUNDERLAND are reported to be considering a move for Juventus left-back Paolo De Ceglie after their pursuit of Valencia defender Aly Cissokho failed, writes Graeme Anderson.
Cissokho yesterday joined Liverpool on a season-long loan with Sunderland interested in the player but unable to come up with an acceptable offer before the Reds stepped in.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had wanted to sign another left-back, Guilherme Siqueira from Spanish club Granada, but the clubs failed to agree a fee and the Merseysiders switched their attention to Cissokho.
The 25-year-old is expected to finalise a deal next week which could become permanent next summer.
Juventus defender De Ceglie is a left-back, who can also play on the wing, and was being looked at by Stoke City earlier this summer.
Sunderland though are rumoured to have expresed an interest now with Di Canio wanting to agree a move swiftly.
Juventus are open to the prospect of selling De Ceglie and the player is reported to be happy to move to the Premier League.
Should the Black Cats be in a position to pursue the Juventus man, the presence of such a strong Italian contigent among the coaching and playing staff would almost certainly be an attraction for him.
De Ceglie’s former team-mate Emanuele Giaccherini joined Sunderland this summer and the pair could look to establish a left flank partnership at the Stadium of Light this coming season.
FULHAM proved to be the Stadium of Light party poopers after Pajtim Kasami’s header inflicted an opening day defeat on Paolo Di Canio’s new-look Sunderland.
Kasami’s goal from Damien Duff’s corner, early in the second half, was enough to defeat the shot-shy Black Cats as Fulham stole the points with their only effort on target.
Sunderland controlled proceedings for much of the game, yet lacked a cutting edge going forwards and were largely limited to shots from distance.
One of those, from debutant Ondrej Celustka, almost resulted in a first half opener for the hosts, only for the Czech right-back to be denied by a stunning save from Fulham stopper Marten Stekelenburg.
Substitute Ji Dong-won went closest to an equaliser for the hosts, but he sent his header wide from six yards out in the 89th minute.
Di Canio handed starts to five summer signings, with Ondrej Celustka, Valentin Roberge, Cabral, Emanuele Giaccherini and Jozy Altidore all making their Sunderland debuts.
Keiren Westwood got the nod in goal ahead of new boy Vito Mannone, while Roberge was preferred to Carlos Cuellar and Modibo Diakite at centre-half.
Former Sunderland man Kieran Richardson started for Fulham, while new signing Darren Bent was on the bench for the Cottagers.
Cabral tried his luck from 25 yards in the six minute, but his right-footed effort was harmlessly wide of the woodwork.
Fulham were forced into a 20th minute change when Richardson limped off injured and was replaced by Matthew Briggs.
Cabral produced another effort from outside the area in the 26th minute when he controlled Giaccherini’s square ball with a lovely first-touch, but then lashed his right-footed shot a yard wide.
Giaccherini let one fly from 25 yards in the 34th minute, but his powerful right-footed effort was straight at Fulham stopper Marten Stekelenburg.
Moments later, the Dutch keeper proved his worth to deny Celustka a stunning debut goal.
Celustka received a crossfield ball from Jack Colback, 25 yards out, to the right of goal, and he let fly with a fierce right-footed angled drive.
The ball was rocketing towards the near top corner, but at full-stretch, Stekelenburg showed tremendous reflexes to parry it behind.
HALF-TIME Sunderland 0 Fulham 0
Adam Johnson let fly from 25 yards in the 51st minute, but his left-footed effort was always rising and cleared the crossbar by a couple of feet.
But a minute later, it was Fulham who broke the deadlock in soft fashion as Pajtim Kasami got above Valentin Roberge at the far post to head home Damien Duff’s right wing corner.
Altidore went close in the 64th minute when he collected Celustka’s chipped ball forwards, held off the attentions of Aaron Hughes and hit a right-footed shot on the turn which was a yard wide of the post.
Sunderland had another sniff of a leveller in the 73rd minute when Giaccherini’s shot from 12 yards was deflected but just out of the reach of Stekelenburg, who managed to get to the ball ahead of Altidore.
Substitute Ji Dong-won should have drawn Sunderland level in the 89th minute, but he sent his header wide from six yards after meeting Johnson’s cross from the right.
Good old Arsenal,
Good old Arsenal,
we're proud to say that name.
And while we sing this song,
we'll win the game.
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira wo o eo,
he comes from Senengal,
he plays for Arsenal,
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira
He's blond, Hes quick
His names a porno flick,
emmanuel, emmanuel
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal!
(repeat)
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal!
(repeat)
Que sera sera
Que sera sera
what ever will be will be
we`re going to Wemberly
que sera sera.
Roll out the Arsenal
Roll out the Arsenal
Lets have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Arsenal
We've got them all on the run
Just one more goal now
Then how we all will cheer 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
The Gang's all here
You are my Arsenal
You are my Arsenal,
My only Arsenal,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
You'll never know just,
How much I love you,
So please don't take,
My Arsenal...Away
Na na na na na (ooh)
Na na na na na (ooh ooh)
na na na na na...
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate Liverpool too
We hate West Ham United
But Arsenal we love you
Who's that team they call the Arsenal?
Who's that team we all adore?
They're the boys in red and white,
and they fight with all their might,
and they're out to show the world just how to score!"
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-19 10:51
>>289Arsenal 1 - 3 Aston Villa
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA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Name:
Anonymous2013-08-19 12:32
>>289
Two seasons now i've been pretty sure they are fucking SHIT, and Wenger too, hahaha @ Arsenal. The sad thing is he won't buy but rather try and prove everyone wrong with this same squad. His mind has gone cuckoo for about three years now.
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-19 12:36
>>291 His aim is to win 14th place without spending money.
The USA international believes Paolo Di Canio's men must learn to be more ruthless if they are to survive in the Premier League this season after a damaging opening day defeat
Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore admitted his new side were taught a harsh lesson in their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
The USA international impressed on his competitive debut, leading the line well as Sunderland controlled possession for long spells and tested the visitors' backline.
However, a lack of cutting edge ultimately cost Paolo Di Canio's side, as midfielder Pajtim Kasami popped up to head the winner for Fulham seven minutes after the break.
And Altidore felt that it went down as an opportunity missed, with the Swiss midfielder's effort representing Fulham's sole effort on target in the match.
"This is how this league is," the former AZ man told Sunderland's official website. "One chance, one goal and they go home with the three points.
"We need to do a better job of not giving away anything. It’s difficult at this level but we need to do better, create more chances and try to bury them.
"This is the best league in the world and that’s why it can be so cruel.
"At the same time, we have to take the positives away from the game, move on to the next match and try to get three points."
Of his own performance, the American felt that he could still do more, insisting he can get better still.
"I thought I did alright, but there’s always lots of room to improve," he added.
"It’s tough to look at the positives when you lose but I thought we created some chances."
Wigan winger James McClean has revealed his decision to leave Sunderland was down to the club's fans hounding him out of the Stadium of Light.
McClean, 23, moved to the Championship side for £1.5 million earlier in the month after becoming surplus to requirements under Black Cats manager Paolo Di Canio.
Despite earning the club's Young Player of the Year award in his first season after arriving from Derry City in 2011, the Ireland international struggled to recapture the same form last term.
However, McClean, who was involved in a handful of off-field controversies during his time on Wearside, claims that his exit was down to fan opinion, rather than being based on his performances on the pitch.
"Leaving the club was nothing to do with how I was playing," McClean told the Evening Chronicle. "But it was definitely needed. My time was up at Sunderland, that's why I asked to leave.
"It's never nice when your own fans are booing you before you even get on the pitch. The season before I was the best thing since sliced bread."
As the new football season kicks off, nostalgia writer Sarah Stoner takes a brief look at the early history of Sunderland AFC.
WEARSIDERS have been red and white all over for more than 100 years – with fans enduring a roller-coaster ride of ups, downs and stomach-churching twists.
Glasgow University graduate James Allan was the brains behind the club, which started life as Sunderland and District Teachers’ Association Football Club in 1879.
“When Allan moved here to teach at Hendon Board School, he was dismayed to find no representatives of the ‘dribbling code’,” said Susan Swinney, the Echo’s photographic archivist.
“Desperate to keep alive his own interest in the sport, he held a meeting in what was to become the Adult’s School in Norfolk Street to form a local football team.
“From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow. So low-key was the birth of Sunderland AFC, that it depended on as few as 20 enthusiasts from its foundation in October 1879.”
The Blue House Field at Hendon served as the club’s first home ground, but their first game was less than auspicious – a 1-0 defeat to Ferryhill with few spectators.
Indeed the club came perilously close to going out of existence until, at the start of the second season, it was renamed Sunderland AFC and membership opened to all.
Two changes of venue soon followed, first to The Cedars and then Ashbrooke – where the lads made strong challenges in the Northumberland Durham Cup in 1883 and 1884.
But it was only after the club moved again, this time to land near Roker Avenue, that Allan’s dedication to the world of football started to pay off.
“Allan became the first secretary of Durham FA in 1883 and his first love, SAFC, duly became the first to lift the new County Cup – albeit in strange fashion,” said Susan.
“Fierce rivals Darlington were beaten by a single goal on a pitch at Newcastle Road, but marked the ground with a ‘dreadful’ word protest at alleged intimidation.
“They successfully appealed for a replay, at Birtley, but again Sunderland proved victorious; allowing players to lift the first silverware of the club’s career.”
The next year saw SAFC rent a new base, at Abb’s Field in Fulwell, where the team played its first FA Cup tie – losing to Redcar with a disappointing 3-1 score-line.
Just a few months later, SAFC moved again. A new base at Newcastle Road was secured towards the end of the 1885-86 campaign – and it proved a home from home.
“It was an ideal base for the still developing organisation. Sunderland enjoyed a tremendous home record over the 13 years they played there,” said Susan.
Sunderland netted their first FA Cup win just a few months later – beating Newcastle West End 2-1 in 1886-87. A dispute over the game, however, saw SAFC lose a replay.
As the number of friendly games “began to pall,” so shipbuilder Robert Thompson was promoted to president of the club, with a new treasurer and chairman brought in.
These actions prompted Allan to turn his back on his beloved SAFC and form a rival club – Sunderland Albion – but the town simply could not afford to support them both.
“The enterprise of Thompson, chairman James Marr and treasurer Samuel Tyzack transformed SAFC and its fortunes, by importing players from Scotland,” said Susan.
“The final piece of the jigsaw was the appointment of Newcastle native Tom Watson as club secretary, who proved the catalyst to catapult Sunderland forward.
“The team landed three championships during his six seasons with them; a success he later repeated after being lured away to Liverpool.”
Sunderland could further raid Juventus this summer and make a move for full-back Paolo De Ceglie.
Sky Sport Italia claim that the Premier League side, who have already signed Emanuele Giaccherini from the Bianconeri, may bid for 26-year-old De Ceglie.
Antonio Conte’s men have been keen to get rid of the Italy U21 international for a while now. The defender earns around €2m per season, and the Turin club are desperate to get that sum off of the wage bill.
De Ceglie has failed to establish himself in the Juve first team in recent seasons, and could leave for a fee of around €4m.
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IT was billed as the dawn of Paolo Di Canio’s Wearside revolution, but it turned out to be little that we haven’t seen before.
New players, new mindset, new season. Yet so much of Sunderland’s opening-day defeat to Fulham harked back to the failings of the past.
Dominate the opposition, but lack the creative spark required to score. Concede a tame set-piece goal thanks to elementary defensive shortcomings.
Then limp through the closing stages without really threatening to get back on level terms.
It is a formula that is all too familiar, and for all that Di Canio has purchased ten senior players and overseen a radical overhaul of Sunderland’s training programme and disciplinary regime this summer, a number of enduring issues remain.
It is all very well banning tomato ketchup and cola drinks, but you still need a group of players good enough to succeed at Premier League level, and on that score, the jury must remain out until Saturday’s reverse can be proved to be nothing more than an opening- day blip.
“It’s the first game isn’t it, and there’s a long way to go,”
said Adam Johnson, who was one of only four survivors from the side that started at Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of last season. “I thought we dominated for long periods.
“We kept the ball well, without creating clear-cut chances, but at least we were having a go.
“Fulham didn’t look like they wanted to come at us and really want to win to be honest.
They were happy with sitting back and trying to nick something, which they did.”
In fairness, there were undoubtedly positive signs in Sunderland’s play, particularly during a first half which they dominated without really testing Maarten Stekelenburg, save for a Ondrej Celustka half-volley that the Fulham goalkeeper did well to turn over the crossbar.
Celustka was dynamic and robust at right-back, Cabral controlled the heart of midfield with aggression and assurance, Emanuele Giaccherini provided a sporadic threat on the lefthand side, and Jozy Altidore led the line with a physicality that was lacking in much of Sunderland’s forward play last season.
The Black Cats carved out a succession of long-range shooting opportunities, but as the game wore on, their failure to get behind the Fulham defence or thread balls between centrehalves Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes became increasingly apparent.
Stephane Sessegnon should have been the player providing a creative spark, but his impact on the game was negligible throughout. With speculation linking him with a potential move to Qatar refusing to go away, it was tempting to conclude that the Benin international was playing like a man whose head was elsewhere.
The key problem for Sunderland, however, is that when Sessegnon is not linking midfield and attack, no one else is likely to step in and do the job for him.
“I think we did well in the middle, but it is obvious we can do much better,” said Di Canio.
“The players that played there did well, but we can improve.
We need another player there that can feed my strikers and wingers quickly.
“It doesn’t always mean you have to be sharp in your legs, but you have to be quick in your head. It’s not a criticism of the players who played there because they did well. But we can improve this area of the field.
“I have told the club before pre-season that we need another player who can have the key to unlock a defence. A player with personality and physical presence because this is the heart of the game.”
Such players do not come cheap, but there is a clear need for a creative presence at the heart of midfield given that neither Cabral nor Seb Larsson are naturals for the role.
The lack of incision became a more pressing issue after Sunderland fell behind, and the manner of the visitors’ secondhalf winner clearly irked Di Canio.
HIGHS AND LOWS: Top, Fulham’s Pajtim Kasami (8) scores the only goal of the game
Fulham’s Pajtim Kasami (8) scores the only goal of the game
Damien Duff swung over Fulham’s only corner of the game from the right-hand side, and Pajtim Kasami outjumped summer signing Valentin Roberge at the back post to power home a header.
“We have to be more nasty,”
said Di Canio. “My central defender lost a younger guy at the back post without jumping, and that can be a problem.
“You may think it is not fair to point the finger at the player who made a mistake. He did well before that, but if this helps him improve, that is good.
“It cost us one point minimum because I couldn’t see any chance for them to score in the game. If we don’t learn from it and think it was just an accident, we will have a problem in the future.”
Sunderland rarely looked like claiming an equaliser, although substitute Ji Dong-won should have equalised in the final minute.
Johnson beat his man to deliver a teasing cross from the right-hand side, but Ji somehow directed his six-yard header wide of the target despite being under little or no pressure at all.
It was a glaring miss, and it deprived Sunderland of a point they more than merited on the weight of their possession and territorial dominance.
“I think it was just one of those games,” said Johnson.
“How many times is this going to happen over the Premier League season with various teams, the smash and grab?
Teams come, don’t they, to do that.
“We’ll probably see another couple of examples next week.
That’s the reality of the Premier League, it’s tough. It’s that old saying, set-pieces win you games and that’s what’s happened.
“One set-piece and we’ve switched off, and it’s 1-0 and then it’s hard to get back from that with 11 men behind the ball.”
the Sunderland players
leave the field after the final whistle
The Sunderland players leave the field after the final whistle
A neat summation, but hardly the rallying call for a radical new direction after a summer of major upheaval.
These are early days and it would be unfair to rush to judgement on Di Canio’s efforts given the lack of time his squad has spent together, and the fact that the Italian clearly wants to make further additions before the transfer window shuts.
However, one game in, and the revolution has undoubtedly stalled.
Changing training-ground rules is the easy part – changing the entire direction of a football club is a much tougher feat.
HULL CITY and West Brom are ready to test Sunderland's resolve to hold on to Jack Colback by tabling formal bids for the midfielder.
Black Cats boss Paolo Di Canio is desperately trying to plug a gap in both full-back positions, with one of his leading targets, Frenchman Aly Cissokho, poised to join Liverpool this week.
As well as targeting new defensive options, Di Canio will also have to determine what to do with Colback, as Hull and West Brom are both set to step up their interest in the 23-year-old.
Colback has entered the final year of his current deal at the Stadium of Light, and has so far resisted Sunderland's offer of a new contract.
Di Canio has no desire to sell the versatile midfielder, who is currently operating as the Black Cats' first-choice left-back following their failure to land Danny Rose, Benjamin Mendy or Lucas Orban since the opening of the transfer window.
However, Sunderland owner Ellis Short will be mindful of the risk of losing Colback for nothing next summer, and will not want to find himself in a position where the academy product could potentially sign a pre-contract agreement with prospective employers in January.
Hull boss Steve Bruce worked closely with Colback during his time at the Stadium of Light, and is a long-standing admirer.
Having sanctioned the departure of midfielders Corry Evans, who joined Blackburn for £850,000, and Tom Cairney, who has moved to Ewood Park on loan, Bruce is light in the central areas and is keen to make additions before the opening round of Premier League fixtures in 12 days time. “We are looking to sign a couple of midfielders, maybe even three,” said Bruce over the weekend.
West Brom have also made a preliminary inquiry about Colback's potential availability, with Steve Clarke keen to sign a couple of versatile players who could potentially plug a number of gaps within his squad.
Colback's importance to Sunderland would decrease if they were able to sign a natural left-back, but their ongoing search in that area is no closer to being resolved.
Having missed out on Mendy, who joined Marseille, and Orban, who turned down Sunderland in order to sign a four-year deal with Bordeaux, the Black Cats turned their attention to Cissokho a couple of weeks ago.
However, the Valencia defender has been in talks with Liverpool and is close to agreeing terms with the Anfield club.
As well as targeting two new full-backs, Di Canio is also eyeing attacking midfield options as he looks to complete his radical summer overhaul of the Sunderland squad.
Black Cats director of football Roberto de Fanti has inquired about £5m-rated Uruguayan Walter Gargano, who was left out of the Napoli squad for this weekend's Emirates Cup tournament staged at Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Sunderland's development squad rounded off their tour of Holland with a 4-2 win over Dutch third tier side RSKV Leonidas at the weekend thanks to goals from George Honeyman, Liam Agnew, Billy Knott and Adam Mitchell.
ADAM JOHNSON believes Sunderland’s new signings have received a brutal lesson in the ruthlessness of the Premier League.
Paolo Di Canio handed debuts to five summer recruits in Saturday’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Fulham, with another four new boys watching the opening day defeat from the bench.
But despite the encouraging signs from the fresh faces as Sunderland controlled large chunks of the encounter, Di Canio’s side started this season as they finished the last, with a 1-0 loss.
Sunderland succumbed to a routine 52nd-minute corner, where Macedonian midfielder Pajtim Kasami exposed debutant Valentin Roberge to net with Fulham’s only effort on target.
Despite his dejection over the result, Black Cats winger Johnson says the outcome will show Sunderland’s recruits the importance of maintaining concentration in the Premier League.
“It’s a harsh lesson for the new players especially,” said Johnson. “The lapse in concentration has cost us.
“But as long as we can learn from that and take the positives from the game, then we can push on.
“It’s always difficult losing to a set piece. If they score a good goal, it’s a little bit easier to take.
“But set pieces win games and that’s what it did for them because they didn’t do barely anything apart from that one corner.”
Johnson admits Sunderland also paid the price for a lack of cutting edge, with the bulk of the Black Cats’ efforts coming from long range.
When Sunderland fell behind, Di Canio’s men found little joy against a well-drilled Fulham back-line, albeit substitute Ji Dong-won should have done better in the 89th minute when he steered Johnson’s cross wide from six yards out.
Johnson added: “We created some half chances but in that final area, we need to be a bit more ruthless.
“When we went 1-0 down, they dropped deeper and we had even more of the ball. But it’s hard to break down 11 players sometimes.
“We had a lot of possession, we tried to press and we pushed forwards.
“But at the end of the day, it’s the one set piece that’s really cost us.”
Paolo Di Canio refused to criticise his new-look Sunderland side following their 1-0 home defeat by Fulham.
A Pajtim Kasami header from a corner in the second half secured the visitors the points but Di Canio says he is not concerned just yet.
Di Canio said: "One corner kick we concede they score from. It was a silly mistake and that was the difference. We played 80 minutes in the opposition half but we lost.
"If our new boys learn quick I am not worried. We were the only team to play football.
"Just because we played well doesn't really matter. We must do better in the final third though and be nasty and ferocious.
"Our new players must understand this and if they accept this after our first game then we can still do well this season."
Sunderland travel to Southampton in their next Premier League fixture.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio claims the addition of another midfielder would be the priority if he dips back into the transfer market.
Di Canio has already received considerable backing from owner Ellis Short this summer, with 10 fresh faces drafted into the Stadium of Light.
There may, however, be further arrivals before the window slams shut.
Sunderland have been heavily linked with Juventus full-back Paolo De Ceglie in recent days, but Di Canio says his focus is locked further up the field.
He told the Sunderland Echo: "If we can bring in only one player, without selling (Stephane) Sessegnon, it would have to be absolutely a central midfielder.
"If we can bring two - it would be a central midfielder and a winger, and then if three players, a central midfielder, a winger and a left-back."
"If we can bring in only one player, without selling (Stephane) Sessegnon, it would have to be absolutely a central midfielder."
Paolo Di Canio
While he would like to open the chequebook again before 2nd September, Di Canio appreciates that financial limitations may keep his hands tied.
He added: "What would be perfect for me would be a left-back, two central midfielders, a winger and another spare man - that would be five players.
"That would be perfect but there has already been a revolution - we have spent money and we need to be sensible in this moment.
"This is the reality of the situation and it is not a criticism. We have to be honest and intelligent and we need to have balance.
"I cannot criticise the club because they already spent money. But obviously if they can make more sacrifices it would be better for the club because we would be a better side, suffer less, finish better in the league and help the company.
"I know Ellis has no problem in terms of money but the club in general can be better.
"In my opinion, these are worthwhile investments in the long run, but we will see. We have a strategy to work with what we can do."
Sunderland beaten, but Di Canio insists his men are on right road
PAOLO Di Canio was bullish in defeat this weekend, insisting that his players are on the right track and that he is confident that Sunderland will do well this season.
Yesterday’s 1-0 loss to Fulham completely deflated the atmosphere around an expectant Stadium of Light on the opening day of the campaign.
But Di Canio said: “We played well, and only the result wasn’t right.
“I told my players before the start of the season that I would settle for us losing a game if we had played well in it – that that was just as important as playing poorly but winning.
“It is a hard thing to stand by after you have lost a game, but I cannot be too hard on them because they tried very hard and they played well.
“The only disappointment is that when you dominate as much as we did, you don’t win.
“We created 10 clear-cut chances and they created only one but scored their goal.
“We put nearly 40 balls into their box and we played in their half for almost 80 minutes.
“So I can’t be unhappy with these statistics.
“If there’s only thing we should have done better, it was keep hold of the ball and perhaps be a bit more patient,”
Now Di Canio will painstakingly deconstruct the game for his players’ benefit and hope to use it as part of a learning process for the squad.
“In football, you work on things and try to think of the positives and that’s what I do,” said the Italian head coach.
“But there are some negative things and individually, the players, especially the ones from abroad, can learn from this game.
“The most important thing this can learn, is this: that one corner kick can cost you a game.
“This is the best and toughest league in the world, especially when it comes to set-pieces.
“There are big, big players in this league, taller than other leagues across Europe and they love set-pieces.
“So we have to learn and we have to improve.
“Fulham had one real chance to score and they took it – that is the Premier League.
“We have to learn and most important is that the players learn that Fulham’s goal was not an accident – Premier League teams can do this to you.”
SUNDERLAND are considering selling Stephane Sessegnon in order to fund the purchase of the creative midfielder that manager Paolo Di Canio craves.
The Italian head coach is desperate to land a powerful playmaker, who can pull the strings in midfield and bring out the best in a new attack-minded 4-2-4 formation.
He returned to the subject again at the weekend after Sunderland’s 1-0 home defeat to Fulham, insisting that sort of player could have made all the difference.
But with the Black Cats – who lost out on Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone to Hull City last week – now struggling to manoeuvre in the transfer market, the club’s only option might be to sell the Benin international to fund more moves.
That move would be unwelcome, although not unacceptable to Di Canio – who underlined that he wants to keep the former Paris St Germain star.
But should Sessegnon – the subject of interest from Qatari side El Jaish – go, the Italian would push hard for a creative midfielder AND a replacement striker.
Di Canio explained: “I have given my opinion already: Sessegnon is not for sale, and we need to bring in one central midfield player.
“I don’t want to sell him. But if he is sold, we have to bring in a central midfield player and another striker.
“If someone wants to sell Sessegnon, I won’t criticise if they bring me a striker with quality and experience and a central midfield player – but not one brought in as cover, not a kid – I need a central midfielder with a background, good quality, physical presence and experience.”
Di Canio revealed his pecking order for new signings before the transfer window closes – with a left-back only third in line on his list.
The Black Cats have been strongly linked with a move for Juventus left-back Paolo De Ceglie in recent days, with several sources claiming that a season-long loan deal for the 26-year-old could be finalised this week.
But Di Canio says that that strengthening the left-back position – seen as a priority after Danny Rose’s return to Spurs in the summer from a season-long loan – is not as important to him right now as the need to strengthen across the midfield.
“If we can bring in only one player, without selling Sessegnon, it would have to be absolutely a central midfielder,” he said.
“If we can bring two – it would be a central midfield player and a winger; and then if three players, a central midfielder, a winger and a left-back.”
The fact that Di Canio sees getting in a winger as more pressing than bringing in a left-back might suggest his interest in Greek winger Charis Mavrias is not necessarily at an end.
Di Canio would love more signings, but accepts that financial restraints are limiting options.
“What would be perfect for me would be a left-back, two central midfielders, a winger and another spare man – that would be five players,” he said.
“That would be perfect but there has already been a revolution – we have spent money and we need to be sensible in this moment.
“We might be able to bring in only one player, in which case a central midfielder. Two? A central midfielder and a winger. Three? Central midfielder, winger, left-back and so on.
“This is the reality of the situation and it is not a criticism. We have to be honest and intelligent and we need to have balance.
“I cannot criticise the club because they already spent money.
“But obviously if they can make more sacrifices it would be better for the club because we would be a better side, suffer less, finish better in the league and help the company.
“I know Ellis (Short) has no problem in terms of money but the club in general can be better.
“In my opinion, these are worthwhile investments in the long run, but we will see. We have a strategy to work with what we can do.
“I don’t have the pressure of bringing players in, that is for others – but I understand we have to be sensible.
“But we have spent much less on players this summer than in the past, much less than in the past – I have to be clear.”
Sunderland’s Retarded Bardsley in hot water over Instagram text
Mentally retarded Phil Bardsley’s conduct will come under scrutiny from Paolo Di Canio this week after appearing to mock Sunderland’s opening-day defeat to Fulham.
A comment stemming from Bardsley’s Instagram account sparked a social media storm on Saturday night after the Black Cats’ 1-0 loss to the Cottagers.
Sunderland Under-21 player Scott Harrison posted a picture on the photograph-sharing website after full-time on Saturday, showing the Stadium of Light tunnel, and then wrote the comment “#opening day (heart)”.
But then there was a reply from Bardsley’s Bardoman26 account which read “Great opening day. Hahahhahaha hahahhaha!!!”.
That will not go unnoticed by head coach Di Canio, who vented his fury towards Bardsley at the end of last season when the full-back was photographed in a casino.
Bardsley has been subsequently frozen out of the first-team picture – training with the U21s during pre-season and not given a squad number by Di Canio.
Sunderland have been desperately trying to remove Bardsley from the wage bill, with another year left to run on his contract. But their hopes of selling the 28-year-old before the September 2 transfer deadline were dealt a major blow last week when the defender sustained a broken foot playing for the U21s.
Football Echo Verdict: Bright signs, but Sunderland need a victory to kick-start revolution
FOR ALL Paolo Di Canio’s Churchillian words about his widesweeping reforms at the Academy of Light, his “revolution” needs momentum to sweep away the lingering memory of relegation dogfights.
Momentum among supporters to instil a genuine sense of belief that Di Canio will transform this club’s journey from stagnation to real progress, even if they turned up in their numbers again yesterday.
And momentum among the players themselves to see that Di Canio’s militant approach at the training ground brings tangible rewards.
There were more than a handful of hopeful signs among the recruits charged with spearheading this Sunderland revolution, particularly in the first half of yesterday’s 1-0 sickener.
Jozy Altidore showed that he will add a physical element to the Sunderland forward line, albeit he was desperately lacking support from an off-colour Stephane Sessegnon.
Cabral looks an adept performer in the middle of the park, while Valentin Roberge was composed at the back, until he allowed Pajtim Kasami to get above him so easily for Fulham’s smash and grab winner.
But, for all the promise, Sunderland were still lacking a cutting edge.
The overwhelming majority of Sunderland’s efforts came from outside the area and as the Black Cats desperately chased the game, they resorted to the long punt which proved routine for Brede Hangeland.
What ultimately cost Di Canio’s side was their failure to make the most of their first-half control.
Sunderland enjoyed long spells of possession and used both wingmen effectively, with Emanuele Giaccherini not afraid to drift from his flank and providing an overlapping option for Adam Johnson on the opposite side.
Cabral, meanwhile, was the dominant central midfielder and set the tempo for the hosts.
But the Black Cats just needed a final scything pass to make their possession count and it never came.
For all Altidore looked bright when he was involved, he didn’t see enough of the ball and Sunderland’s threat overwhelmingly came from outside of the area.
That could have materialised into a stunning debut goal for Ondrej Celustka, if it hadn’t been for an equally impressive save from new Fulham stopper Maarten Stekelenburg.
But, for all the industry, energy and demonstration of far brighter ideas than the Martin O’Neill era, Sunderland’s threat in the box was minimal.
Once Kasami got above Roberge to meet Damien Duff’s corner for the softest of openers, the ghosts of last season began to re-appear.
Altidore tried to drag Sunderland back into the game, almost single-handedly, and provided some awkward moments for Hangeland and Aaron Hughes, as Di Canio’s men chased the game in the closing stages.
Undoubtedly, the return of Steven Fletcher will benefit the American striker more than most, by sharing the goal burden around.
Had substitute Ji Dong-won’s 89th-minute opportunity fallen to Fletcher, rather than the South Korean, then you fancy that Sunderland would have taken the point that they deserved.
It is imperative that Sunderland don’t let one defeat de-rail them and Di Canio’s project undoubtedly needs time to reap rewards.
Yet the Black Cats are also in need of encouragement in the wins column to demonstrate that this really is a new era.
Chris Young’s Sunderland post-match analysis: Risk assessors
BY 4.50pm on Saturday, the sacrifice suddenly seemed a touch more palatable.
Throughout the summer, Sunderland’s readiness to sell Stephane Sessegnon has seemed a hasty step in Paolo Di Canio’s revolutionary process.
For all Sessegnon sometimes leaves supporters tearing their hair out, he has also been one of the few players over the last two years to provide value for money on the admission fee.
But financially, Sunderland find themselves in a dilemma.
Due to the restrictions of being able to use just an additional £4million of the new TV deal on wages – a policy which Ellis Short spearheaded among Premier League clubs – Sunderland are thought to have little room left to manoeuvre with the salary cap.
Efforts to remove Phil Bardsley and Lee Cattermole from the wage bill have so far failed and now look unlikely to before September 2, given the respective fitness situations of the duo.
By selling Sessegnon to Qatari side Al-Jaish, it would save a significant chunk on the balance sheet and perhaps give Di Canio that licence to add another couple of players to his options.
Given the noises emerging from those in or around the club this summer, there has seemed plenty of willingness among Sunderland’s hierarchy to offload Sessegnon.
But after witnessing an improvement in attitude during pre-season, Di Canio told the Echo last week that he wants to keep Sessegnon at the Stadium of Light and he again reiterated that stance following the 1-0 defeat to Fulham.
Yet there was a caveat from the Italian.
There was a get-out clause that if those above Di Canio do opt to sell Sessegnon, then he wants quality replacements brought in from the proceeds.
Would that be a worthwhile exchange?
Losing a fit and focused Sessegnon would undoubtedly be a blow to Sunderland’s attacking options, particularly if he can return to the form of 2011/12.
For all the 29-year-old can infuriate with the lack of consistency on his final pass or shot, he still boasts the trickery that can mesmerise the best of Premier League defenders.
But, despite looking sharp and lean during pre-season, there was a distracted aura around Sessegnon against Fulham which inevitably prompted suspicions that his mind was on the interest from the Middle East.
There were a handful of nice touches from the former Paris Saint-Germain forward, but when it came to actually creating, Sessegnon’s effectiveness was minimal.
It was one of the factors which contributed towards Sunderland’s blunt attacking edge on the Premier League’s opening day.
Yes, Di Canio’s side were undone by the softest of set-piece goals, but it was their failure to profit from the first-half domination which proved their downfall.
There was a far better balance, shape and energy around Sunderland to the languid side of Martin O’Neill, yet they weren’t enough of a threat in the opposition penalty area.
The bulk of their 20 efforts on goal came from range, albeit it took a stunning stop from Fulham debutant Maarten Stekelenburg to deny Sunderland new boy Ondrej Celustka.
Jozy Altidore was the pick of Sunderland’s summer recruits and the American showcased both his power and pace, particularly with his back to goal.
But the 23-year-old did not see enough of the ball and neither did he benefit from a strike partner running beyond him or getting close enough to offer a supporting option.
Too often, Altidore was the only red and white jersey in the Fulham area, as Sunderland looked to make the most of their quality out wide.
It added up to the majority of Sunderland’s play being in front of the Cottagers’ back four – rather than behind it – and, as Martin Jol’s side dropped deeper and deeper after Pajtim Kasami’s goal, it became increasingly straightforward for ever dependable centre-halves Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes.
Of course, no team will be at their most fluent on the opening day and this new-look Sunderland side was always going to need time to develop some attacking potency, particularly after such a lean programme of pre-season friendlies.
But there was a similarity to the offensive troubles of last season.
Too often, teams in or around Sunderland in the table came to the Stadium of Light, shut up shop and, as they comfortably thwarted the Black Cats’ attacking efforts, would punish the hosts on a rare foray forwards.
The return to fitness of Steven Fletcher, who could be a perfect foil for Altidore, will help Sunderland’s attacking threat.
So too will the creative central midfielder that Di Canio lusts over.
There were plenty of bright signs from Cabral on his top-flight debut, while Seb Larsson never lacks industry and effort, even if there remain question marks over whether he is more effective on the right or in the middle.
But neither are a playmaker in the mould of new Hull City man Tom Huddlestone, who Di Canio was so keen to bring to Wearside.
Sunderland simply don’t have that player on their books capable of controlling a game or delivering a defence-splitting pass from the middle of the park.
In truth, they haven’t for years.
Di Canio knows it and that is why it consumes his thoughts, rather than a specialist left-back, alternative winger or another striker.
If the funds, plus freed wages, from the sale of Sessegnon enables Sunderland to bring in that midfielder along with a replacement forward, then Di Canio will be placated.
Whether that equation is worthwhile, with the calibre of recruits potentially available, is a Catch-22 situation that those above Di Canio must balance over the next fortnight.
Development squad head to King Power Stadium.
Sunderland’s U21s face a trip south today as they take on Leicester City in the Barclays U21 Premier League.
The development squad will face the Foxes at the King Power Stadium, with the game kicking off at 7pm.
Striker Mikael Mandron, who featured for the first team in pre-season, is included in the squad, as is summer signing Duncan Watmore.
Coach Kevin Ball saw the side open their campaign with a win last week as Jordan Laidler’s goal secured a 1-0 home victory over Bolton.
Leicester, meanwhile, named a strong squad for their season opener against Middlesbrough, running out 3-1 winners.
Fans will be able to follow text updates via the club’s official Twitter account (www.twitter.com/safcofficial), with a full report available on safc.com after the game.
U18s defeated in league opener
Youngsters go down to late Chelsea strikes.
Chelsea U18 3 Sunderland U18 0
Sunderland played well but couldn't stem a superior Chelsea second-half performance in their season opener at Cobham.
In a goalless first half, Sunderland turned in a good display but missed some good opportunities to open the scoring.
After 13 minutes, Dylan McEvoy went on a good run and finished most unluckily by hitting the post before Ethan Robson’s free-kick forced a good save from the Chelsea keeper.
In the 25th minute Martin Smith got in behind following a corner only for the Chelsea stopper to pull off another great save.
The Wearsiders had enjoyed good possession throughout what a pleasing first 45 minutes.
Once again the young Black Cats started positively in the second half; moving the ball around well but slack play gave away possession for Chelsea to break on 50 minutes and score from a free-kick that was chipped over the wall.
Sunderland reacted well and created a couple of half-chances; Tom Robson went on a good run and was brought down in the area for a good penalty shout but the referee waved play on.
On 70 minutes the home side doubled their lead, once again counter-attacking well.
And five minutes from time the Blues rounded the game off with their best goal as the ball was smashed home following good individual play.
In the last minute Sunderland were still trying for a consolation and Rees Greenwood fired a super ball across the area with no Black Cats player able to get a touch.
Academy manager Ged McNamee said: “Overall we worked hard and the display gave us something to build on.
“I was pleased with the performance but disappointed with the goals.”
Sunderland: Talbot, Ledger, Colquhoun, Beadling, T Robson, Blinco, Smith, McEvoy (Pybus, 45), E Robson, Greenwood, Gooch (Stinson, 60).
Sub not used: Ellison.
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-19 17:52
lol @ Manchester City 4 Newcastle 0
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-19 19:05
>>302
Thats supporting the 1992toon, watching us 'stay up' every season and be fukin grateful...
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-20 13:47
Good old Arsenal,
Good old Arsenal,
we're proud to say that name.
And while we sing this song,
we'll win the game.
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira wo o eo,
he comes from Senengal,
he plays for Arsenal,
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira
He's blond, Hes quick
His names a porno flick,
emmanuel, emmanuel
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal!
(repeat)
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal!
(repeat)
Que sera sera
Que sera sera
what ever will be will be
we`re going to Wemberly
que sera sera.
Roll out the Arsenal
Roll out the Arsenal
Lets have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Arsenal
We've got them all on the run
Just one more goal now
Then how we all will cheer 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
The Gang's all here
You are my Arsenal
You are my Arsenal,
My only Arsenal,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
You'll never know just,
How much I love you,
So please don't take,
My Arsenal...Away
Na na na na na (ooh)
Na na na na na (ooh ooh)
na na na na na...
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate Liverpool too
We hate West Ham United
But Arsenal we love you
Who's that team they call the Arsenal?
Who's that team we all adore?
They're the boys in red and white,
and they fight with all their might,
and they're out to show the world just how to score!"
Good old Arsenal,
Good old Arsenal,
we're proud to say that name.
And while we sing this song,
we'll win the game.
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira wo o eo,
he comes from Senengal,
he plays for Arsenal,
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira
He's blond, Hes quick
His names a porno flick,
emmanuel, emmanuel
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal!
(repeat)
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal!
(repeat)
Que sera sera
Que sera sera
what ever will be will be
we`re going to Wemberly
que sera sera.
Roll out the Arsenal
Roll out the Arsenal
Lets have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Arsenal
We've got them all on the run
Just one more goal now
Then how we all will cheer 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
The Gang's all here
You are my Arsenal
You are my Arsenal,
My only Arsenal,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
You'll never know just,
How much I love you,
So please don't take,
My Arsenal...Away
Na na na na na (ooh)
Na na na na na (ooh ooh)
na na na na na...
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate Liverpool too
We hate West Ham United
But Arsenal we love you
Who's that team they call the Arsenal?
Who's that team we all adore?
They're the boys in red and white,
and they fight with all their might,
and they're out to show the world just how to score!"
Good old Arsenal,
Good old Arsenal,
we're proud to say that name.
And while we sing this song,
we'll win the game.
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira wo o eo,
he comes from Senengal,
he plays for Arsenal,
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira
He's blond, Hes quick
His names a porno flick,
emmanuel, emmanuel
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal!
(repeat)
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal!
(repeat)
Que sera sera
Que sera sera
what ever will be will be
we`re going to Wemberly
que sera sera.
Roll out the Arsenal
Roll out the Arsenal
Lets have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Arsenal
We've got them all on the run
Just one more goal now
Then how we all will cheer 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
The Gang's all here
You are my Arsenal
You are my Arsenal,
My only Arsenal,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
You'll never know just,
How much I love you,
So please don't take,
My Arsenal...Away
Na na na na na (ooh)
Na na na na na (ooh ooh)
na na na na na...
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate Liverpool too
We hate West Ham United
But Arsenal we love you
Who's that team they call the Arsenal?
Who's that team we all adore?
They're the boys in red and white,
and they fight with all their might,
and they're out to show the world just how to score!"
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio is poised to make his 11th signing of the summer with the capture of Panathinaikos teenager Charis Mavrias, Press Association Sport understands.
The Black Cats are believed to have agreed a £2.5million fee for the 19-year-old Greece international who has two caps to his name.
It would appear to be third time lucky for Di Canio who failed with a move to lure Mavrias to the Stadium of Light last month, whilst hopes of a loan deal fell through last week.
But with the two clubs finally seeing eye to eye, Mavrias is expected to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical within the next 24-48 hours.
Mavrias holds the distinction of being the second youngest player to play in the Champions League - at the age of 16 years eight months - when he was handed his debut for Panathinaikos, playing the final 12 minutes of a goalless draw at home to Rubin Kazan.
Mavrias has since made more than 60 appearances for Panathinaikos, scoring six goals.
Should Sunderland complete the deal, Mavrias will join the other 10 new faces under Di Canio this summer in Ondrej Celustka, El-Hadji Ba, Emanuele Giaccherini, Jozy Altidore, Vito Mannone, Modibo Diakete, David Moberg Karlsson, Valentin Roberge, Cabral and Duncan Watmore.
Phil Bardsley suspended by Sunderland after mocking club's opening day defeat
Phil Bardsley has been suspended by Sunderland and told to stay away from the training ground after he mocked his club’s 1-0 home defeat to Fulham on a social media site.
Bardsley had already been turned into an outcast by manager Paolo Di Canio and was not given a squad number for this season following an incident back in May when he was pictured in the early hours of the morning covered in £50 notes at a casino.
Di Canio, who has implemented a strict new code of discipline at the training ground, which also drew heavy criticism from former defender Titus Bramble over the summer, had already said he could not see how the former Manchester United prospect could play for him again.
Their relationship has not improved since and took a turn for the worse on Monday when Di Canio was told about a message Bardsley had sent to a teammate on Instagram following the home defeat to Fulham.
Sunderland under-21 player Scott Harrison had posted a picture on his Instagram account after full-time on Saturday, showing the tunnel area and with the comment: ‘#opening day (heart)’.
A reply from Bardsley’s Bardoman26 account said: ‘Great opening day. Hahahhahaha hahahhaha!!!’.
The account has since been deleted, but Bardsley has been told he is not welcome at the training ground while the incident is investigated.
Di Canio had hoped to get rid of a troublesome member of his squad as quickly as possible, but the full-back, who is Sunderland’s longest-serving player, will not be leaving any time soon.
The 27-year-old broke his foot playing for the Under-21s last week and Sunderland will have to hope they can send the defender out on loan to the Championship as it is unlikely he will be fit enough to leave before the close of the transfer window.
CHARIS MAVRIAS is finally on the verge of sealing his move to the Stadium of Light after Sunderland resurrected a deal for the Greek winger.
Mavrias last night arrived on Wearside to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms over a £2.5million switch to Sunderland, with an imminent conclusion expected for a transfer saga that has dragged on for weeks.
Sunderland reached an agreement with Greek side Panathinaikos last month for Mavrias, which would have seen the Black Cats pay an initial £1.5m for the 19-year-old, plus another £1m in add-on payments.
But the deal dragged on and on, with Sunderland’s interest cooling after boosting their options on the flanks with the captures of Emanuele Giaccherini and David Moberg Karlsson.
Panathinaikos eventually ran out of patience with Sunderland and the deal looked dead.
But, following the sale of James McClean a fortnight ago, Sunderland made a fresh approach to Panathinaikos, to take the Greek international on a season-long loan.
That offer was immediately rejected by cash-strapped Panathinaikos, who need the financial injection provided by the sale of Mavrias – one of the highest-rated youngsters to emerge from Greek football.
But Sunderland returned to their original offer last week and Mavrias is now expected to become the club’s 11th signing of the summer.
A midfield playmaker remains Paolo Di Canio’s priority, yet, as the Sunderland head coach revealed earlier this week, an extra winger has been lying second on his transfer wish-list.
“If we can bring in only one player, without selling (Stephane) Sessegnon, it would have to be absolutely a central midfielder,” said the Sunderland head coach.
“If we can bring two – it would be a central midfield player and a winger.”
Sunderland also continue to be in the market for a new left-back, with the Black Cats thought to have made an enquiry for Juventus defender Paolo De Ceglie.
But it is understood that there is no imminent prospect of De Ceglie moving to the Stadium of Light.
The 26-year-old is on a lucrative contract at Juventus and Sunderland are having to cut their cloth by the wage limits set out under the new television deal.
That was one of the major hurdles when Sunderland held discussions over Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho last week, regardless of Liverpool’s move for the French international.
There were also suggestions in Italy yesterday that De Ceglie is eager to fight for his first-team place at Juventus, with another four years to run on his contract with the reigning Serie A champions.
CHARIS Mavrias is on his way to Wearside, as Sunderland look to finalise a move for the Greek winger.
Sunderland saw a £2.5million switch for Panathinaikos wideman Mavrias fall through last month, before they failed with a subsequent season-long loan offer last week.
But the Black Cats have resurrected their original £2.5million deal for Mavrias and he is due to arrive in the North East today to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.
The 19-year-old Grek international will become Sunderland’s 11th signing of the summer.
THERE will be more on this story in Wednesday’s Mail
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-21 11:00
Sunderland starlet goes to Wycombe Wanderers and not Hartlepool United
ROOKIE Sunderland midfielder and one-time Hartlepool United target Billy Knott has joined League Two club Wycombe Wanderers on a month’s loan, writes Dan Holland.
The 20-year-old, who played for the Black Cats’ Under-21 side in Monday’s 3-2 win at Leicester, makes his third loan switch since joining Sunderland in January 2011.
After spending the second half of the 2011-12 season at AFC Wimbledon, where he won their Young Player of the Year award, Knott scored eight goals in 20 appearances for Woking last season.
Knott, who made his Sunderland first-team debut as a substitute against Spurs on the final day of last season, will be available for Wycombe’s match with Oxford this weekend.
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said, “Billy’s a tenacious midfielder with good energy and he’s got fantastic quality on the ball.
“We’ve watched him for a while and he’s a player that I admire – I’m sure he’s going to go on to big things.
“I’d like to thank Kevin Ball, Paolo Di Canio and Sunderland for allowing Billy to come here.”
Every man will play their part at Sunderland ... except Phil Bardsley
PAOLO Di Canio says every player who remains in Sunderland’s squad after the transfer deadline window closes will have their part to play this season.
It is no secret that the Italian head coach has been open to offers for many of his first-team squad this summer – the players involved know it too.
But Di Canio insists that once the window closes, there will be no question of players being shunned or frozen out and that all should consider themselves important members of the squad from that point on.
The obvious exception to that promise will be Phil Bardsley, who was this week suspended by the club after an Instagram message which appeared to be mocking Sunderland over their opening-day defeat to Fulham.
Bardsley had already been ostracised for a late-night casino visit in the week before the end of last season but this latest incident can only serve to speed his exit from the club and underline the fact he will never play for Sunderland again.
That’s not a prospect that Di Canio is offering to any of his players whose futures have been cast into doubt by major restructuring.
Di Canio told SportMail: “I do not expect many players to leave before the transfer deadline – maybe one, or two but not many.
“A lot of players leaving is simply not part of the plan – we do not have a big squad – and so I will look to make the most of every player.
“I have no intention of excluding anyone and will have a chance to play a part.”
That will be good news for David Vaughan and Lee Cattermole who have not been involved in Sunderland’s main pre-season games and also for the likes of Stephane Sessegnon, Ji Dong-won and Carlos Cuellar who have all been the subjects of speculation this summer.
Sunderland have brought in 10 new signings this summer with Greek winger Charis Mavrias expected to become the 11th this week.
But they have also lost half a dozen players from last season’s first-team squad and Di Canio does not want to leave himself short for the long season.
The head coach added: “We have improved our fitness levels but we also need to rotate players over the course of the season to keep them fresh.
“That is particularly important in the cup games where you might need to make plenty of changes to the team which competes, but you are also aware of the need for the team to still be good enough to win those cup games.”
Paolo Di Canio expects Sunderland AFC departures but won't freeze anyone out if they stay
With five first-team outgoing transfers the Black Cats boss says one or two more players may be on their way out
Paolo Di Canio expects ‘one or two’ more departures before the transfer window closes – but insists no one will be frozen out if they do not move on.
Five first-teamers have already left Sunderland over the summer, three on permanent deals and two on loan, but so far nothing has come of speculation linking midfielders David Vaughan and Lee Cattermole with moves away from Wearside.
And another player to be linked with a move is Benin international Stephane Sessegnon – with clubs in Qatar monitoring his situation – although Di Canio said at the weekend that he is not for sale.
With 12 more days to go until the window closes on September 2, there is still time for more arrivals and departures and Di Canio is certainly keen to bring in a couple of new faces.
If at all possible, Sunderland will also want to unload any players who do not figure in the new head coach’s plans in order to keep the wage bill down.
But Di Canio is conscious of the fact that Sunderland’s squad remains short on numbers, and says any players who remain at the club when the window closes will be considered part of his first-team group.
And it was significant that both Vaughan and Cattermole were given shirt numbers when the club announced its official Premier League squad at the end of last week. Di Canio said: “I don’t expect many more players to leave before the transfer deadline.
“Maybe one, maybe two – that was in the plan – but not many. We will see.
“But if that does not happen, it is not an issue as they are part of the club.
“We will do everything we can to make them fit in with the others and give them a part [to play] because we need to use everybody.
“I don’t have any preconceived ideas.”
Di Canio’s stated intention is to use all the players available to him, but the one man who is regarded as beyond the pale is out-of-favour full-back Phil Bardsley.
Bardsley blotted his copybook at the end of last season after being pictured surrounded by £50 notes on a late-night casino visit just days before Sunderland’s final game.
He was banished to train with the youngsters when the players returned for pre-season, and broke his foot playing for the Under-21s last week.
And then this week he was suspended by the club pending an investigation after he apparently took to a social media site to mock the club’s opening day defeat against Fulham.
Bardsley’s injury means he is highly unlikely to be sold this month, but he was not given a squad number and will not play for the club under Di Canio.
Reading make £1m bid for Vaughan as Royals look to beat Hull and Palace in race to sign Sunderland midfielder
Reading have made a £1million move for Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan.
The Wales international has been told he can leave the Stadium of Light as manager Paolo di Canio continues to restructure his squad.
Hull City and Crystal Palace are also interested in Vaughan, 30, but ambitious Reading can match or better their wage offers.
Palace are closing on a loan deal for Southampton winger Jason Puncheon.
The 27-year-old winger could go straight into the squad to face Stoke on Saturday. Puncheon played under Ian Holloway at Blackpool in 2011.
Meanwhile, Southampton scouts watched Maribor midfielder Goran Cvijanović in action last night. The 26-year-old Slovenia international can play across the midfield including wide left.
MIKAEL MANDRON netted a stoppage time winner as Sunderland Under-21s made it two out of two after coming from behind to secure a 3-2 victory at Leicester City.
The 18-year-old, who has trained with Sunderland’s first-team throughout pre-season, grabbed a dramatic 91st minute goal, as Kevin Ball’s side built on their opening day success over Bolton with a second successive win.
Mandron was a part of a youthful Sunderland side at the King Power Stadium, while Leicester included first-teamers Anthony Knockaert, Zoumana Bakayogo, Ignasi Miquel and Ben Marshall.
And it was the Foxes who made the early running, with striker Tom Hopper crashing a header against the crossbar.
But against the run of play, the Black Cats took the lead in the 16th minute when Billy Knott smashed home Liam Marrs’ pull-back.
Duncan Watmore saw a shot saved from the edge of the area, although Leicester could have drawn level before the interval, with Marshall and Harry Panayiotou both failing to hit the target.
Just 45 seconds after the re-start though, the Foxes found an equaliser when half-time substitute Joe Dodoo scored with his first touch, converting Bakayogo’s cross.
By the 53rd minute, Leicester were ahead after trialist Ryan Watson fired into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
But with six minutes remaining, Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Watmore was fouled at the back post by Bakayogo.
Substitute Laidler converted the resulting spot-kick for his second in as many games.
Then in stoppage time, it got even better for Sunderland, with Mandron firing low into the corner.
Sunderland legend Micky Horswill claims he was sacked from Three Legends phone-in by Newcastle hero Malcolm Macdonald
BLACK Cats FA Cup hero Micky Horswill has been shown the red card from the Three Legends football phone-in.
Micky revealed on his Facebook page that he had been thrown off the Star Radio show, on which he fielded calls alongside former Newcastle striker Malcolm Macdonald and Middlesbrough’s Bernie Slaven.
“Sacked by Mal McDonald (sic) on three legends for having banter with Bert from Hartlepool, who along with Bernie and Mal, have hi em (sic) me stick for years,” he wrote.
The show is produced for Star by an independent production company, headed by Malcolm Macdonald.
Micky confirmed he had been turfed out on Monday afternoon.
“I have been sacked, more or less. Malcolm asked to see me, he came down and told me I was not wanted on the show any more.”
Asked whether his former co-host had outlined the reasons for the decision, Micky said: “He did, but I can’t really say anything at the moment.”
Malcolm confirmed Micky had left the show, but refused to go into details of the reason behind the decision.
“It is always important to keep the standards of the programme being broadcast at the very highest level,” he said.
“I am not really prepared to go into details with regard to another person. That is not the way I work at all. Micky is certainly entitled to his opinion.
“But we wish him all the very best of luck whatever he does and wherever he goes.
“Quite simply, we are just looking at perhaps moving in something of a new direction.”
The ex-England player added: “What’s gone is gone – we always need to be looking towards the future and that’s exactly what we are looking to do.”
The company aims to soon reveal who would be taking over SAFC duties.
“Hopefully there will be an announcement, and an exciting one, in the next week,” said Malcolm.
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-21 12:32
>>314
When you become more popular than the Boss your days are numbered. Malcolm Macdonald was a kerb crawling drunk who was rescued from the gutter, I bet he does not like being reminded of that,
It would not surprise me if Eric "Gatesy" Gates is brought back.
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-21 16:38
Fenerbahçe 0 - 3 Arsenal
51 Min. Gibbs - Arsenal
64 Min. Ramsey - Arsenal
77 Min. (p) Giroud - Arsenal
Name:
Anonymous2013-08-21 16:39
Good old Arsenal,
Good old Arsenal,
we're proud to say that name.
And while we sing this song,
we'll win the game.
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira wo o eo,
he comes from Senengal,
he plays for Arsenal,
Vieira wo o e o, Vieira
He's blond, Hes quick
His names a porno flick,
emmanuel, emmanuel
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal,
One-nil to the Arsenal!
(repeat)
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal!
(repeat)
Que sera sera
Que sera sera
what ever will be will be
we`re going to Wemberly
que sera sera.
Roll out the Arsenal
Roll out the Arsenal
Lets have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Arsenal
We've got them all on the run
Just one more goal now
Then how we all will cheer 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
The Gang's all here
You are my Arsenal
You are my Arsenal,
My only Arsenal,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
You'll never know just,
How much I love you,
So please don't take,
My Arsenal...Away
Na na na na na (ooh)
Na na na na na (ooh ooh)
na na na na na...
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate Liverpool too
We hate West Ham United
But Arsenal we love you
Who's that team they call the Arsenal?
Who's that team we all adore?
They're the boys in red and white,
and they fight with all their might,
and they're out to show the world just how to score!"