Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio accepts FA charge of misconduct and will pay £8,000 fine
Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio has been fined £8,000 by the FA, having accepted a charge of misconduct following his side's 3-1 loss at home to Arsenal on Saturday.
Di Canio clashed with referee Martin Atkinson towards the end of the Premier League fixture because he was angered by perceived Arsenal time-wasting and an earlier refereeing decision.
The Italian was eventually sent to the stand by Atkinson and informed the media after the match: "I said (to Atkinson), 'if you want to complete a perfect job, you can send me off'.
"He took it seriously and sent me off."
tkinson had infuriated Di Canio earlier in the match by disallowing a Jozy Altidore goal which would have made it 2-2, pulling the game back for an earlier foul on the forward by Bacary Sagna when he could have played the advantage.
And an FA statement on Monday read: "Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has been fined the standard penalty of £8,000 after he admitted an FA misconduct charge in relation to his behaviour during his side's game against Arsenal."
However, Di Canio has not been banned from the dug-out, a Sunderland statement adding: "He (Di Canio) is free to take his place on the touchline when Sunderland visit West Brom this weekend."
"We have to be intelligent because many times I have experienced that, if you stay at the bottom, some belief can go far from your brain."
Paolo Di Canio
Di Canio's side sit bottom of the Premier League table after the opening four games, having only accumulated one point.
But he is remaining upbeat and said: "After 20 games, if you are still at the bottom and you are 10 points, 12 points from the fourth place from the bottom, you can start to think, 'Eighteen games to go, OK, plenty of points, but it's difficult'.
"But now we are starting to play good football. We just have to be intelligent because many times I have experienced that, if you stay at the bottom, some belief can go far from your brain.
"But the fact is that they are intelligent and we are a work in progress. We will be knuckling down and working hard together for the next few weeks."
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio 'invited' referee Martin Atkinson to send him off against Arsenal
Paolo Di Canio will pay for his sarcastic criticism of referee Martin Atkinson’s performance during Sunderland’s defeat by Arsenal with a fine and the threat of a touchline ban.
Di Canio was infuriated by Atkinson’s decision not to let a goal by Sunderland's Jozy Altidore stand as he had already blown for a foul on the striker before he won his tussle for possession with Bacary Sagna.
Altidore went on to beat Wojciech Szczesny with a shot that trickled over the line, but rather than celebrate Sunderland’s second equaliser of the afternoon they were given a free-kick which Craig Gardner wasted.
Di Canio’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time as Arsenal delayed making a substitution and he was ordered to leave his technical area by Atkinson when he mocked the referee’s performance during a brief exchange on the touchline.
Di Canio implied it had been a light-hearted exchange, but Atkinson has included it in his referee’s report, which means the Sunderland manager will face disciplinary action from the Football Association.
“The referee told me: 'If you keep going with your manner I’ll send you up to the stand,’” said Di Canio, who will also have to pay a club fine as a result of his dismissal. “My mistake was that I said to him: 'If you want to complete a perfect job you only have to send me off.’ He said: 'Go off.’
“I’m sure he is a good man. He is a professional, he can recognise he made two mistakes. First one was a crucial moment, second one, I don’t know if it was a mistake, I invited him to send me off and he sent me off. We can smile now, but that was our conversation.”
Di Canio has bigger things to worry about as the defeat on Saturday saw his side slip to the bottom of the table. Sunderland travel to West Bromwich Albion next weekend knowing a defeat will turn a poor start into a damaging one.
“The fans might not be happy,” Di Canio said. “We only have one point and they might be thinking 'what is going on?’ But we are going to win more games than last year and if we do that we stay up.”
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has been fined £8,000 after accepting a Football Association charge of improper conduct.
The Italian was sent to the stands by referee Martin Atkinson during Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Arsenal.
Di Canio, whose side sit bottom of the Premier League, later admitted inviting the official to dismiss him.
"I said if you want to complete a perfect job, you can send me off," the ex-Swindon manager said after the game. "He took it seriously."
An FA statement read: "Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has been fined the standard penalty of £8,000 after he admitted an FA misconduct charge in relation to his behaviour during his side's game against Arsenal."
Di Canio served two touchline bans while Swindon manager - first for celebrating a goal on the pitch and then for a third red card of the season.
The Black Cats are rooted to the foot of the league table, one of only two teams yet to win a match this season, but the 45-year-old is convinced his side will recover
Paolo Di Canio is confident his Sunderland side can reverse their fortunes despite sitting bottom of the Premier League table.
The Italian is undeterred by Sunderland's slow start, which has seen them earn just a single point, and believes his players will improve when the squad become more familiar with one another.
"To be bottom isn't very good," Di Canio told reporters after the match. "But I am not worried. That might sound strange but it is only the fourth game, not the 20th.
"The performance [against Arsenal] made me more confident. If we don't light this fire we will have a problem. We have to be more angry with ourselves.
"We need to fight more at West Brom [on Saturday] otherwise we will have a problems. We have still not gelled completely. They haven't got the confidence to scream at each other but at this stage of the season I can't be angry.
"In 20 games' time, if we are still at the bottom, we lose, then I am angry. Now? No.
"Once we win three, four games in a row, listen to me now, we will play good football, we need to keep going and work together, maybe keep the same team for three or four games.
"We are going to get some points I am sure. We will have John O'Shea and Emanuele Giaccherini back, and I have many options to choose from to get the right subs.
"We'll get enough points and another three games will make a big difference for us and then, after the international break, we have 31 to play."
Sunderland says FA chairman Dyke 'lacking knowledge' about their player development
Greg Dyke has come under fire from Sunderland for criticising their recruitment policy but is set to get a helping hand from Jose Mourhino in his bid to transform the national team’s fortunes.
Sunderland have accused the new Football Association chairman of lacking the knowledge to comment on their plans for developing young English players, after Dyke highlighted the fact the Black Cats only recruited one English player — former Altrincham striker Duncan Watmore — during the transfer window.
‘I was very disappointed by some comments in Mr Dyke’s speech and in particular his reference to Sunderland AFC,’ wrote Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne in response to Dyke singling out her club for criticism in a speech about declining numbers of English players in the Premier League.
‘I am sure that when Mr Dyke has had an opportunity to speak with clubs and to familiarise himself with the rigorous process involved with EPPP [Elite Player Performance Plan], he will become more knowledgeable as to the efforts we are making.
‘All Premier League clubs [and indeed, all clubs in England] want to develop players who can play for England.
‘We are fully committed to developing young English talent and our pledge to this was cemented from the moment we embarked on the Elite Player Performance Plan and indeed our significant capital investment in our indoor training facility last year.’
Dyke will contact Mourinho to ask him to contribute to the FA Commission on English football that will convene in the next few weeks.
Dyke read Mourinho’s comments offering his expertise and the FA chairman is expected to call the Chelsea manager this week to arrange a time to speak about the issues.
EVEN though his side lost to Arsenal and dropped to the bottom of the Premier League table yesterday, Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio was pleased with what he saw from his players.
He has described his squad as “a work in progress” as he tries to introduce a raft of new signings to the attacking style he wants Sunderland to play this season.
And against Arsenal he felt there were genuine signs that the pieces are beginning to fall into place.
“In the first half, we were too shy, but I can understand that with five new players coming into the team,” he reflected.
“Charis Mavrias and Ki Sung-Yeung were making their debut and it wasn’t easy – there wasn’t a great deal of communication – and it’s difficult for them at this stage.
“But, in the second half, we played good football with desire and dedication.
“The players should take encouragement from that.
“I want us to extend that quality over the full 90 minutes.
“I know we are at the bottom and it is not very good to see the table.
“But the Arsenal game was important for us in terms of seeing the good second-half performance and I’m very confident that we will do well over the course of the game.”
The head coach also thought his side might have got something out of the game had referee Martin Atkinson not wrongly chalked off a valid equaliser from Jozy Altidore which would have made the scores 2-2 with 20 minutes remaining.
Di Canio, who was sent to the stands after complaining to the official about Giroud’s dawdle from the pitch when he was substituted in injury time, said: “It was a mistake.
“The referee has the power to wait to see how the action finishes, and then he can come back to his decision.
“They have to wait. It’s not Paolo Di Canio, it’s the rule, so he made a mistake because he stopped the game early, especially in the balance of the action.
“You could see Altidore is much more powerful than Sagna, he was shielding the ball well. It was clear he was near to winning the challenge.
“That was a key moment because we can’t imagine that we would have many more opportunities to score, so that decided the outcome of the game.
“That can happen. He is a man. It’s important that he accepts this - I make mistakes every single moment when I make decisions with my players; my players make mistakes in front of goal.”
Name:
Anonymous2013-09-16 16:57
Meanwhile the incompetent Martin Atkinson gets another premier league game this weekend. You can bet your life that had he got it wrong in sunderlands favour Professor Wenger would have made sure he didnt get a game this weekend.
Lee Cattermole still part of Paolo Di Canio's plans at Sunderland
Paolo Di Canio will offer a clean slate to Lee Cattermole at Sunderland, but Cabral faces an uncertain future.
Di Canio has overseen an extensive rebuilding project at the Stadium of Light, with the summer transfer window seeing 14 fresh faces drafted into the Black Cats' ranks.
Inevitably, an influx of new arrivals has forced some of those already on Sunderland's books down the pecking order.
Cattermole - who skippered the side under Martin O'Neill - fell into that category and looked set to be on his way out of the club at one stage, with Hull City, West Ham United and Cardiff City all reported to be keen.
The combative midfielder has, however, remained on Wearside and will be given an opportunity to force his way back into first team contention by Di Canio.
The Italian said: "I have to be honest, he wasn't in my plans. I told him, to have a future here he had to convince me.
"I need British players, I need the quality, the intensity. I need the fire. He's full of enthusiasm and it's a new start for him."
While Cattermole is back in Di Canio's thoughts, Cabral - who joined Sunderland as a free agent over the summer - finds himself out of favour after just one competitive appearance.
Di Canio said of the 24-year-old midfielder: "At the moment he's behind three other players who have got ahead of him. It's very difficult for him.
"Maybe one day, if he can show me that he understands football, then yes he will play again.
"Otherwise, in the middle, especially against top sides, we will get beaten. At this moment, Cabral has got difficulties."
"Maybe one day, if he can show me that he understands football, then yes he will play again."
Paolo Di Canio
Sunderland's Paolo Di Canio fined £8,000 after accepting FA fine following Arsenal clash
SUNDERLAND manager Paolo Di Canio has been fined £8,000 after admitting a Football Association misconduct charge following the Premier League game against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Black Cats boss was sent away from the touchline during his team's 3-1 defeat to The Gunners, after a decision not to award the Mackems a penalty.
Speaking after the match, Di Canio revealed he regretted telling the referee to send him off
He said: "He came to me and said 'if you keep going with your manner I will send you up to the stand'.
"I said if you want to complete a perfect job, you can send me off. He took it seriously and sent me off."
FIRST-TEAM fringe players Cabral and David Moberg Karlsson got useful game time with Kevin Ball’s development squad last night but were powerless to prevent the U21s from crashing to their first defeat of the season.
Ball’s side had a chance to go top of the table by racking up their fifth win in five games this season, but instead went down 5-2.
They had the misfortune to come up against a Liverpool side featuring five first-teamers, including England winger Raheem Sterling, who was in sensational form.
Sunderland started brightly and took the lead on the half-hour after Liverpool failed to clear a Duncan Watmore cross and Alex Gorrin scored with a half-volley on the edge of the area.
They doubled their lead in the 42nd minute with Watmore again the creator, the youngster going on a great run before feeding Moberg Karlsson, who rounded the keeper and fired home from an acute angle.
It would have been a great lead to take into the break, but Sunderland were not as strong defensively as they should have been on the stroke of half-time and Jack Dunn clipped a shot home inside the six-yard to keep his side in it.
The second half was very much the Sterling show with the England man pulling the ball back for £6.8m summer signing Luis Alberto to fire home an equaliser.
And then Sterling scored himself to put his side ahead for the first time in the game midway through the second half.
Despite trailing, Sunderland’s hopes looked to have brightened considerably just after the hour when Lloyd Jones was sent off for head-butting Mikael Mandron – the French striker being yellow-carded for his initial foul.
But with Cabral fading in the second half and Sterling outstanding, Liverpool made light of their disadvantage and the 10-men Reds went on to score twice more.
Sunderland had been pushing for an equaliser when Alberto grabbed his second of the game.
And then, when Sterling was brought down in the area by keeper Joel Dixon, the Spaniard stepped up to the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick.
Sunderland kept on pressing gamely towards the final whistle with Liam Agnew and Mandron producing hopeful attempts in the dying stages but the game was long gone by then.
Liverpool U21: Ward, Kelly, Jones, Ilori, Flanagan, Rossiter, Brannagan, Ibe, Alberto, Sterling, Dunn Subs: Mersin, Sama, Morgan, Roddan, McLaughlin.
Premier League - Sessegnon set to face Sunderland after being granted work permit
Record signing Stephane Sessegnon could make his West Brom debut against former club Sunderland this weekend after he was granted a work permit on Wednesday.
The attacking midfielder made a deadline-day move to the Baggies but was unavailable for last weekend's 1-1 draw at Fulham as he awaited the required paperwork.
That has now been granted to free the 29-year-old Benin international, who cost an initial B£5.5million, to make his Baggies bow against the club with whom he spent two-and-a-half seasons.
"Stephane Sessegnon has today (Wednesday) been granted a work permit," a West Brom statement read.
"The Baggies' club-record signing is now available to make his debut against his former club Sunderland, at The Hawthorns, on Saturday."
Sessegnon, who signed a three-year deal, is set to bolster West Brom's attacking options following a barren start to the campaign in front of goal.
Defender Gareth McAuley's late header against Fulham on Saturday was their first goal in the Barclays Premier League this term.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio defended by Gardner against 'grudge-bearing' critics
"A lot of the people writing him off have got something against him. It’s not just his management skills" claims midfielder
Paolo Di Canio is battling a vendetta against his Sunderland reign, according to Craig Gardner.
Stadium of Light boss Di Canio is under mounting pressure with his side bottom of the Premier League after taking just a single point from their first four matches this season.
Despite the out-spoken Italian singling-out players out for public criticism during a stormy first six months at the helm, straight-talking Gardner insists the Black Cats' squad is fully behind the 45-year-old's bid to turn round the nightmare start.
The midfielder reckons the Sunderland chief - who added to his worries after being hit with an £8,000 fine for clashing with referee Martin Atkinson in the 3-1 defeat by Arsenal - has the added difficulty of fighting the critics who have a personal agenda against him.
Di Canio is favourite to be the first Premier League manager axed this season, and Gardner claimed: “A lot of the people who’ve been writing the manager off have got something against Paolo Di Canio.
“It’s not just his management skills, there’s always something to knock him about.”
Di Canio launched his coaching career by steering Swindon up from League Two as champions in 2012 at the end of his first season in charge, and then into the League One promotion chase before leaving in February.
Critics have since questioned if he can hack it in the top flight with so little managerial experience.
Gardner hit back, adding: “Of course he’s a Premier League manager - he’s managing in the Premier League and he’s trying to change things here.
“We’ve still got faith in him as a squad. The lads want to go out there and put in as much hard work as we can on the training pitch and go and get that first win that we want.”
Sunderland travel to fellow strugglers West Brom on Saturday, before hosting Liverpool, Manchester United and arch-rivals Newcastle in three of their next four league games.
Despite the winless start and growing concern from supporters that the club’s seven-season stay in the top flight could be under-threat, Gardner refuses to push the panic button just yet.
He is confident Di Canio’s 14 signings in a summer of huge upheaval on Wearside will soon start to click as they adapt to life at the Stadium of Light.
Gardner added: “I don’t think we should be too worried about it yet. It’s too early to be getting into the league table too much.
“The league is tight - one win and you’re in the top half. You can’t really worry about it too much at the moment.
“It was the same last year - 12 or 13 teams were in the middle and there was hardly anything between them.
“As long as we keep putting performances in like we did in the second half against Arsenal we’ll pick up the points.”
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has been boosted by the return to action of two of his stars for this weekend's match at West Brom.
Club captain John O'Shea has served a one-match ban while recent arrival Emanuele Giaccherini is back after missing the home game with Arsenal through injury.
O'Shea's suspension allowed him to shake off the injury he picked up playing for the Republic of Ireland in the recent World Cup qualifier against Austria.
Speaking to the club's official website, former Swindon boss Di Canio said: "They are ready to be selected.
"We know Giaccherini is crucial, and O'Shea, who is our captain, is a crucial player.
"There is no doubt that they will be in the game."
Sunderland manager wants subservience from Lee Cattermole if midfielder wishes to be picked
Paolo Di Canio wants Sunderland’s former captain Lee Cattermole to prove he is ready to accept his absolute authority as manager before he considers him for selection.
Cattermole has not played for the Italian since he replaced Martin O’Neill in April, ostensibly because of a knee injury, although Di Canio also identified the midfielder as a potentially troublesome member of the squad and a source of resistance to his strict disciplinary regime.
Sunderland informed Cattermole at the end of last season that they were willing to let him go, but the former England Under-21 international, who only signed a new contract until 2016 last season, has resisted attempts to force him out.
That could be a blessing in disguise for Di Canio, who, having stripped him of the captaincy and his squad number, admits his side lack a combative presence in midfield and need a player of Cattemole’s ilk after Sunderland failed to sign an alternative in the transfer window.
"We have to be honest he wasn't in the plan, but I spoke with him for half an hour. Man to man. I told him, to have a future here, he had to convince me because I told him my regime is completely different to what you had until last year.
"You failed to find another club because you refused to go somewhere, but I will treat you right. Like the most important player, because Paolo Di Canio is honest.
"I said ‘I know what you feel, you are upset about losing the captaincy, but now you have a big occasion. You have one of the most honest managers in the world who tells you I look at you like you are one of the most important players because it's the truth.
"If you train bad or behave badly off the pitch, like you did in the past, you can't stay in the squad. I want a positive guy, who even after being skipper and now maybe only being on the bench.
"But I said you can be a part of a squad that wants to play good football. You can be better than before. It's up to you. You have to jump. You have to back my regime. I decide the discipline, the behaviour, the rules."
Di Canio has been impressed so far with Cattermole attitude and he is training with the first team again after he was left out of all their pre-season friendlies, but he wants to make sure it is not temporary obedience.
"I need British players," said Di Canio, who signed 14 foreign players over the summer. "I need the quality, the intensity. I need the fire. Show me you have this character, this quality, this professionalism, this desire and you will start games.
"It takes time to change, but I like parts of his character. I told him you have to speak my language on the pitch, but if you do this you are welcome, more than welcome. It's important we agree.
"He was more than positive. I'm happy. Now he's back, he's full of enthusiasm. In a few weeks, maybe he will be on the bench. It can be a new start for him. He can become a much better footballer, because he's only 25, he's still young."
Gardner confident Sunderland boss Di Canio can answer critics and lead Black Cats away from danger
Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner is backing manager Paolo Di Canio to guide the club away from trouble.
Di Canio’s side sit rock bottom after four games and have won just one point.
This weekend they face former star Stephane Sessegnon, who was controversially sold by Di Canio on transfer deadline day to nearest rivals West Bromwich Albion, the only other team yet to win a Barclays Premier League game this season.
Di Canio, who has won just twice since taking over from Martin O’Neill, has come under fire for his controlling methods over his players, as they are failing to bring success to a team which faces Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham in their next six home games.
Gardner, whose penalty and second half appearance gave Sunderland a lift against Arsenal on Saturday, said: 'I think a lot of the people who've been writing the manager off have got something against Paolo Di Canio.
'It's not just his management skills, there's always something to knock him about. Of course he's a Premier League manager - he's managing in the Premier League and he's trying to change things here.
'We've still got faith in him as a squad, of course we have. The lads want to go out there and put in as much hard work as we do on the training pitch and go and get that first win that we want.
'I don't think we should be too worried about it yet. It is too early to be getting into the league table too much. The league is tight, one win and you're back in the top half or whatever. You can't really worry about it too much at the moment. It is very tight.
'It was the same last year, 12 or 13 teams were in the middle and there was hardly anything between them. As long as we keep putting performances in like we did in the second half against Arsenal we will pick the points up.'
NEW Sunderland signing Andrea Dossena is making a swifter recovery than expected from injury – and could be pushing for a first-team place by the end of the month.
That will be good news for Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio who believes the former Liverpool and Napoli left-back could prove a big asset to Sunderland this season.
Dossena was a transfer deadline day signing for the Black Cats, along with countryman Fabio Borini – both brought in largely as back-ups to first-team regulars, but both challenged to prove themselves at Sunderland this season.
The late signing of Dossena was particularly handy for Di Canio, who has been looking for a specialist left-back since Danny Rose returned to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, and he admits he will breathe more easily when the new man is challenging for a place.
The Black Cats’ head coach told the Gazette: “Dossena has been in Italy undergoing treatment but he came back last Sunday and has impressed us with his progress.
“He has been running with us and going through his fitness work and he is much better than we expected in terms of closeness to full fitness.
“When we signed him on deadline day we thought we were looking at five weeks out with the thigh injury but it is now looking as though it will be more like three before he is fully fit to be selected.
“And it will be good to have him available because we need more than one left-back, and at the start of the season Jack Colback was the only player who could perform solidly in that position.”
Colback is on a learning curve, adjusting full-time to the role of Premier League full-back after a career at youth and under 21 level spent in midfield.
Di Canio has praised the 23-year-old’s application but at the same time is glad he will soon have another left-back to call on over the course of the campaign.
“Jack has done very good at left-back – even though occasionally he still thinks like a central midfielder,” smiled the Sunderland boss.
“He is learning that left-back role and doing very well at it – as he showed with his cross for Steven Fletcher’s goal at Crystal Palace – and I have decided he has to concentrate on left-back because he will find it difficult to play central midfield under me here.
“He is competent and solid in central midfield but he is not a creator.
“He will hold on to the ball and pass it sideways and back – and that too can be an important job in a team – but I’m looking for my central midfielders to create for me.
“Jack can be more valuable at left-back and will get better there the more he starts to think like one.
“As for Dossena, he is a natural left-back.
“He defends but he loves to attack and I think that the way we want to play this season both Colback and Dossena will enjoy their football because we want them to attack.
“Dossena enjoyed his time in England with Liverpool and he is another player – like Borini – who is not English but plays in the English style. He has been here and he knows what is going on in terms of what is expected.
“He has experience and desire and he’s a very fit player when he’s healthy and he can give Jack Colback help because Jack can’t play every game this season.
“He will need a rest at times and then Dossena will look to take his chance and show what he can do.”
Lee Cattermole in Sunderland squad for West Brom clash
LEE Cattermole has come in from the cold and will be included in the Sunderland squad travelling to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Paolo Di Canio told the Echo he plans to include the former skipper in the squad travelling to The Hawthorns and that means Cattermole could be be involved in first-team action for Sunderland for the first time since February.
The Teessider’s days on Wearside were believed to be numbered when it was made clear that he would be allowed to leave over the summer.
But the 25-year-old did not move on and, after recovering from an ankle injury sustained at the start of the season, he has been allowed to return to the fold by Di Canio.
Sunderland’s head coach told the Echo last week that the door was open to the ex-captain providing he accepted the Italian’s regime wholeheartedly.
And after another week of progress on the training pitch, Cattermole is set for inclusion in a Sunderland squad for only the third time this year.
Di Canio said: “We all know what might have happened with Lee during the transfer window and that’s why he wasn’t really included in our plans.
“But, at the end of the day, when he doesn’t move, you don’t just stick him in a corner and say he’s not our player.
“It’s important you use the squad available to you if you can and to be fair to him, he has shown character.
“I am not prejudiced in this respect.
“It was the same with Wes Brown – he’s a fine centre-half who I wanted to move on from, but he was absolutely determined to prove me wrong and he came back in pre-season to really impress me and was on the bench last week.
“Lee has shown real desire too.
“He hasn’t just come back in to suffer, he has embraced it enthusiastically and that is important.
“If you are intelligent and you buy into it, you have a chance and now Lee has a chance.”
Cattermole’s recent career at Sunderland has been blighted by a knee injury.which ruled him out from last November onwards – letting him down in comeback games against Bolton in January and Arsenal in February.
He strained a knee in Sunderland Under-21s’ first game of the new season against Bolton.
But he has looked good on the training pitch in the last few weeks and Di Canio said: “Is it too soon to travel with the squad to West Brom? No.
“He will come with us and when I take the players with me to travel to the game, they go under the assumption that any one of them can play straight away.
“They might play from the start, or they might come on as a substitute, but if you travel you have a chance of playing, and he will be in the squad.
“I will make a final decision on the first team on Friday.”
Sunderland epitomise the decline of the English game.
Out of Di Canio's 14 imports this summer, not one player was English (This is untrue, bad writing, not known what he is taking about)
In recent weeks, the state of English football has been questioned formidably.
With uninspiring performances from the national team in the most recent winter break, and the new FA Chairman Greg Dyke setting targets for 2022, the future looks bleak for English football. But why?
The popular answer to the question is the sport's grass roots. This refers to more money being invested into younger age groups to enhance skill at a lower level, then developing the talent further as the player's mature.
This would signify that the current crop of players aren't good enough to compete at the international stage, and neither are the U21s. Is this the answer? Maybe, but we won't feel the effects of that change for a good number of years. Next please.
Coaches! That seems to be the next popular answer. Apparently, it's only taken people 21 years to realise that an English coach hasn't won the English Premier League.
Clearly there is only one solution to this problem, spend thousands of pounds at England's new shiny headquarters, aka St. Georges Park, to train hundreds and hundreds of English coaches with the hope that they will achieve success.
It's almost ludicrous to think that if the FA invest in these coaches that they'll be given the managerial jobs at the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Neither solution is a quick fix and if anything, it's more of a cop out on the FA's part. They would rather avoid any confrontation with the Premier League about these issues and have done for the past decade. With the two being run by separate organisations, it's not easy for them to always come to a consensus, but if the FA don't step in, the decline of English football will only increase.
As much as we hate to say it, there are too many foreign players in the Premier League. Although the majority bring variety, flair and skill, this only dampens the progress of young prospective English players trying to break through into the game. This is not to say foreign players shouldn't play in the Premier League, but we must find a balance.
The worst possible thing English clubs can do right now, is do a Sunderland. Di Canio wanted to change his sides' team dynamics majorly this season compared to last, and he wanted to refresh his squad. Bringing in 14 players is exciting for any club but not when you're a mid-table club with a limited budget. We all saw what happened with QPR last season.
Signing player after player in the summer, Di Canio kept strongly coming out saying how he wanted to sign an English midfielder, in an interview with the Shields Gazette he said: 'The club is working on the two full-backs, but more important to me is the need to get a key player in central midfield - someone who's English.
"He needs to be English, with a physical presence because we have analysed that is a need we have."
"English, because he needs to know English football inside out. And also a player with very good quality - because we want to play attractive football which gets results."
Not one of Sunderland's 14 incoming transfers this summer were English, or even British. With the likes of Cattermole and Wickham being used sparingly, and Brown in his 30s, the only real player with England aspirations is Adam Johnson, and his form has dropped from the end of last season.
If clubs are bringing in star players such as Ozil, Eriksen and Lamela, then that's a definite plus for the Premier League, but most of Sunderland's imports are not well known, such as Cabral who was bought on a free transfer.
The midfielder is known for his combative attributes and his quick passing. Is English football so mediocre that Di Canio couldn't find an English midfielder with the same attributes?
Huddlestone? Livermore? He was consistently linked with Huddlestone in particular, but rather looked elsewhere to players such as Ki who was signed on a season-long loan. One could argue Huddlestone is more talented and still has more potential to nurture then any midfielder at Sunderland. With his long passing and shooting always improving, and his continuous engine, the box-to-box midfielder would've been a great asset to Di Canio's team.
This isn't to say Sunderland are a bad club, as they're doing what they think is best for their club and fans, but if this is a sign of the future of other English clubs, the FA will be worried.
We've seen QPR, and now Sunderland, make wholesale changes, ensuring English players are neglected. Whether this is wrong or right isn't the debate. The debate should be; are English players players wrongly overlooked or are they just not talented enough?
Make up your own opinion, but if this continues, the FA's problems will only increase over the next few years with the pressure going to be cranked up as the number of English players in the Premier League is continually decreasing.
One would think that the debate that the English clubs should have a cap on foreign players or would be a welcome addition. The FA need to stop cowering in a corner and stand up for the English game. With the new chairman, Gregg Dyke looking like the man to lead the recovery, he must seek talks with the Premier League to look to made adjustments to aid the English game, as it is above all, the English Premier League.
Chris Young’s column: Loans vital for club’s like Sunderland to help youngsters progress
THE LOAN market is a perverse beast. But it is an animal which new FA chairman Greg Dyke must tame, rather than spending his time blustering about Sunderland’s transfer policy.
How can it be right for a Premier League heavyweight to hurl a wad of cash on a transfer fees and wages, but then be given a get-out clause if the player falls out of favour?
The unwanted figure’s salary is a barrier towards selling him, so a subsidised loan to a top-flight rival provides the opportunity to recoup a few quid on that initial outlay.
Far from being punished for spending recklessly in the first place, the parent club can at least ensure they don’t slip too far into the red by having someone else cover his wages, as Sunderland have done by sending Danny Graham to Hull.
And then there is the emergency loan window.
Deep-pocketed Championship clubs can offer an escape route for discarded Premier League superstars, but still pay just a fraction of their wages.
Cardiff did it with Craig Bellamy from Manchester City and QPR were this week linked with a loan for Emanuele Adebayor, despite the Togo frontman’s six-figure weekly salary at Spurs.
Doubtless, Sunderland will attempt to do likewise with Phil Bardsley next month, once the full-back recovers from his broken foot.
Both of these loan scenarios are dubious and in an ideal world, neither should be permitted to exist.
Certainly, Fifa have had their eye on the Football League’s emergency loan window for several years and the expectation is that it will be outlawed from next summer.
But for Premier League clubs outside the top six, such as Sunderland, it is imperative that some version of this loan mechanism remains open.
It’s not so they can recoup four or five grand on Bardsley’s weekly wages before they continue their efforts to sell him in January.
No, the availability of short-term loans to the Championship, League One and League Two is vital for developing the club’s academy products. Some may think there is little wrong with Sunderland’s Under-21 side after last week’s reports of the rookies beating the first-team in a training ground friendly.
The reality was slightly less dramatic.
The game went on for around four hours, with Paolo Di Canio stopping and starting the action regularly to convey his message.
It was very much a training exercise, rather than a training game.
In their actual fixtures, it has been a hugely encouraging start to the season from Kevin Ball’s side, even though their 100 per cent record was ended by a 5-2 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday.
But a year on from its formation, there remain question marks over the U21 Premier League.
The antiquated reserve team system undoubtedly needed a shake-up and the U21 initiative does indeed provide a more organised bridge from the youth team.
But the gap to first-team football is still seismic.
Sunderland were forced to include a fleet of youngsters on the bench at the end of last season, simply to make up the numbers. Yet none of those had genuinely been knocking at the door for Premier League inclusion.
Even Mikael Mandron, the big hope of the club’s academy and someone who has impressed Di Canio with his attitude, only netted once last season for the U21s.
The FA clearly realise there is a problem and will introduce a promotion/relegation element to the U21 league from next season, in a bid to make it more competitive.
But with those senior players on the fringes at first-team level still rarely involved with the stiffs, these youngsters remain devoid of men’s football experience.
That is why Sunderland have been so proactive in sending their academy products out on loan, and continue to do so.
A move to the no-nonsense world of League Two is clearly seen as more beneficial for someone like Billy Knott, than remaining on Wearside.
But if the emergency loan window becomes an outlawed avenue, then these temporary departures will surely dry up.
Those who have made a name for themselves at youth level or have proved themselves on previous loan spells will continue to attract suitors during the summer and January.
But consider the likes of Liam Marrs, Adam Mitchell or Alex Gorrin.
These are players who have no notable loan experience.
Is a League Two club really going to make a conscious effort to take them on temporary stints during the transfer window, rather than looking around for fresh blood when short-term loans are the only option available to boost their threadbare squads?
An emergency loan provides an avenue; a chance for these kids to make a point over a month or so, without financially crippling the club involved.
That is something which should – although it probably won’t – cross Fifa’s minds.
For all the loopholes of the loan system, it cannot come at the punishment of youth progression.
That is an upcoming problem which Dyke should be spending his time on, rather than headline-grabbing statements.
West Brom’s Sessegnon fired up for Sunderland clash
WEST BROM boss Steve Clarke insists Stephane Sessegnon will need no extra motivation this weekend.
The former Sunderland frontman is expected to make his debut against the Black Cats on Saturday after leaving the Stadium of Light in a £6million deadline day deal.
Sessegnon was unable to make his West Brom bow in last weekend’s draw at Fulham after the Benin international had to wait until Wednesday to have his work permit renewed.
But the club record buy is now available and Clarke says Sessegnon is eager to begin the new chapter in his career, regardless of the opposition.
Clarke said: “I won’t have to motivate Stephane.
“He’s got a new club, he’s got a new challenge.
“You can see every day in training he’s excited about the prospect of playing here.
“He’s looking forward to the game at the weekend and I don’t think it would matter who he was playing against – he would still be looking forward to the game at the weekend.”
Meanwhile, Clarke brushed off the effects of Paolo Di Canio’s comments after the Sunderland head coach had criticised Sessegnon’s attitude, following his departure.
“I haven’t read the comments because I tend not to read the media,” added Clarke.
“I’m not really sure what the context was but sometimes when a player leaves a club the manager will choose to make some critical comments.
“But that’s for every individual to decide how they want to deal with it.
“I’ve only known Stephane for 10 days and I’ve not had too many chats with him.
“He’s quiet but when I was young I was quiet as well – it doesn’t make you introverted or a difficult character.
“Some people are quiet, some are loud, everybody has their own character.
“On the pitch Stephane is quick, direct, lively, he likes to take people on.
“He’s a dribbler, an entertainer and hopefully he’s gets many chances here to entertain the crowd.”
Sunderland supporters on Di Canio's talent drain and the argument over Redknapp for England rages on
Greg Dyke wanted to spark a debate over the future of English football – although everyone in the game has been having that for a hundred years – so here is just one instalment. Dyke made negative reference to the foreign influence at Sunderland in his state of the nation speech, Margaret Byrne, Sunderland’s chief executive reacted angrily, and that disagreement was the basis of Wednesday’s column. You can read it HERE and the fall-out below.
Simple answer: go back to the three foreign player rule, forcing the clubs to find and use British players. The Truth, Cupar.
You can’t. European Union employment law will not allow it – and that is the truth.
Sunderland have had years of buying overpriced, overpaid British players and still ended up near the bottom of the league, so this is just a change of policy to keep within the financial fair play rules. Give me two free transfers from Europe who can pass a ball over Titus Bramble any day. We do have three local lads playing with reasonable regularity in Adam Johnson and Jack Colback, plus Lee Cattermole if he gets back into the team after injury. That's more than Newcastle United and plenty of other English clubs. The academy has suffered over the years from the London-biased Football Association academy rules. Up until last year's rule change clubs could recruit players within one hour’s travelling time of the academy - which is fine if you are based in the capital and have the whole South-East to draw on, but a hard penalty to overcome if you're based in a region of a million people. No wonder Sunderland produced so many duff academy players. Barry, London.
You forgot one of the other issues there, Barry. What about clubs on the coast, like Sunderland, Newcastle or Southampton? They have a whole swathe of locality underwater. Think of the radius that counts as an hour from Birmingham or Chelsea, and then consider that same radius from Sunderland’s point of view. It’s a fraction of the territory because much of it is sea.
Well done for highlighting a vital issue. The problem with English football is not the influx of foreigners. It is the influx of mediocre foreigners. Players like Mesut Ozil, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Gianfranco Zola are welcome to come to our shores. Sadly for every one of those wonderful talents, there are a dozen like Sebastian Squillaci, Bebe, Sebastian Coates, Steve Marlet and Corrado Grabbi who have long since faded from memory. Go look up the list of foreign Premier League players. There are maybe even a couple of thousand now – and see how many you remember, and how many have made a truly positive contribution. The first thing that needs to be done relates to non-EU nationals. They are supposed to have played 75 per cent of national team games but few meet that criteria. This must be enforced without exception.
Steve Norman, Bexleyheath.
With the odd exception, Steve, I’d say. Willian of Chelsea, for instance, has not played 75 per cent for Brazil but should still be an asset to our league, long-term. But, largely, we agree.
Sunderland will go the way of Queens Park Rangers, buying too many new players who won’t go together. MrBratt2, Brighton.
It’s early days yet, sir, but certainly there are troubling signs. It isn’t just the number but the quality. QPR were overloaded with chancers, who were passing through Premier League football en route to the next payday. That can happen when a club is not dealing with the top echelon of imports. One hopes Sunderland have bought more wisely but this has hardly been a promising start and we know what can happen from here. The agent whispers that he can get the player another move in the summer when the club will want to cut its wage costs, so the player knows relegation will have few personal consequences and becomes demotivated, waiting for the next contract. So exactly like Rangers last season – and a good few other relegated clubs, too.
Well, you can hardly whistle down the pit nowadays, can you? That's what they used to do in the Black Country, and it must've been similar in the North East. Is the answer to bring back coal mines? Jim Baggie, Bromham.
It is if they’ve cut your gas off. And now, another satisfied customer.
I used to admire Martin Samuel’s point of view but he's clearly jumped on the gravy train with the likes of Dyke, Lawrenson, Francis and the rest. Sunderland have been scouting local talent for years with limited success, and Jack Colback and Jordan Henderson are products of that system. However they have found it difficult lately – just ask Stuart Pearce about getting young talented Englishmen to turn up for internationals. With a lot of British talent as soon as they get offered a lucrative contract, football becomes secondary, while fast cars, tattoos, Z-list wags and late nights become the norm. We bought Wickham a couple of seasons ago for £8m and he's done nothing except score against Milton Keynes Dons, which may be his level. You can't say we haven't tried. How many Englishmen did Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool buy? I think you will find we bought one more than most. Juan F, Thailand.
Dyke, I get. I’m presuming Lawrenson is Mark. But Francis? Come on Juan, give me a clue. Trevor? Lee? Of Assisi? I’m stumped. Why does questioning a transfer and youth policy place me on some sort of gravy train, too? Indeed what is a gravy train? It would spill, surely? You’d be better off on a gravy boat. Steadier. Anyway, I digress. There is a lot of presumption about young English footballers in your viewpoint, mate, and a lot of generalisation too. Who knows why Wickham has disappointed? Maybe he was never good enough, maybe he was massively overpriced from the beginning (which I believe he was). He might be trying his hardest and lesser opponents are indeed his level. I think it is easy to label all young English players as flash little twerps or slackers, but a lot of the imported ones seem no better. Henderson, though, is improving season on season and it was a shame you lost him so early. Anyway, to take your mind of that, here’s my favourite Francis. Black Francis of Pixies. And possibly the finest rock out in the history of guitars.
Is there a case that as the Premier League is becoming a global game, where 20 clubs are not just vying for league positions but also the money that comes from supporters abroad, there is more financial value in getting an average Swiss or South Korean international, than an average English player, unknown and unlikely to represent his country? Zak Adams, The Elephant.
Could be, Zak. There is no value in getting relegated, though. Ask any fan, it is as if your club has fallen off the map in terms of its profile, and commercially the Championship is a disaster compared to the opportunities in the Premier League.
Is Martin aware that, since 2007, Sunderland have bought 25 English players and Newcastle United only nine? Lee, Sunderland.
Greg Halford, Michael Chopra, Kieran Richardson, Andy Cole, Danny Higginbotham, Phil Bardsley (2007-08); Anton Ferdinand (2008-09); Frazier Campbell, Darren Bent, Lee Cattermole, Michael Turner, Matthew Kilgallon (2009-10); Danny Welbeck (loan), Nehum Onuoha (loan), Titus Bramble (2010-11); Connor Wickham, Craig Gardner, Roarie Deacon, Wayne Bridge (loan), Wes Brown (2011-12); David Ferguson, Wade Joyce, Adam Johnson, Danny Graham (2012-13); Duncan Watmore (2013-14). So the 25 does include loans, Fair enough. I accept that is a reasonable number but, equally, the fact that the 14 players arrived this summer included just one Englishman could also be analysed statistically to produce another set of figures. For instance, in 2007-08, 16 players were bought and six were English, working out as an average of 37.5 per cent. This summer, the percentage of English players purchased fell to 7.1. I take your point about Newcastle but this is surely a bigger issue than simply scoring points off the team up the road. Greg Dyke, the FA chairman, mentioned Sunderland, and a few others including Newcastle actually, in his State of the Nation address but it was Margaret Byrne, Sunderland’s chief executive, who gave the most forceful reaction. The column looked at why Sunderland is becoming a for the soul of English football and conceded that, for all the flaws in speech, Dyke may have had a point. It didn’t just focus on the negatives about Sunderland, but highlighted positive contributions, too, and allowed the club its say. To then switch the argument to one about whether Sunderland have done more for English football lately than Newcastle turns this into a very local squabble – and it’s more important than that.
Sunderland asked for trouble as soon as they appointed Paolo Di Canio. Eugehop10, Cardiff.
No, this isn’t about Di Canio either. It’s bigger than him, too.
Last year, Sunderland signed Gateshead boy Danny Graham for £5m. How many goals did he score again? Mark38, Gateshead.
None in 11 appearances, Mark. But I suspect you know that. Now tell me, when using Graham’s failure to denigrate all English footballers, can we then take from Juan Sebastian Veron’s disappointing spell at Chelsea that fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi must, too, be rubbish?
Sunderland supporters on Di Canio's talent drain and the argument over Redknapp for England rages on PART II
What is the point in producing good local talent when it has got next to no chance of playing for England because players at Manchester United get picked on name, not merit. For instance, Ashley Young. InTheKnow, Newcastle.
Well sometimes, Mr Knowledgeable, producing your own players can save your club a lot of money, and you wouldn’t need Joe Kinnear to delve into his big book of top contacts to conduct imaginary transfer business.
You've already lost the argument when you are blaming foreigners for your own failure. Imported inferiors? Honestly, has a single one of those academy graduates played for Juventus? Have any netted 20 or more goals in Holland? They haven't done anything. But the English are scared to go abroad. That's the difference. Nothing stopping those kids from going abroad and proving their worth. Be honest, if there was an Englishman in the Eredivise that had done what Jozy Altidore did, Sunderland would have jumped at the chance to buy him. There wasn't. I've been on the Sunderland boards. They aren't even yet convinced by Wickham so to act like he's proven is wilful ignorance. Hell, even Fabio Borini has done more than the academy players. And sorry, you can bring up Paul Gascoigne and Bryan Robson all you want, but when was the last World Footballer of the Year from the area? They aren't exactly minting the next Messi. The real problem in England is blaming others rather than working hard. Derrick4real, Los Angeles.
Have the Sunderland academy kids played for Juventus? Well, of course they haven’t. And the Juventus players haven’t turned out against Middlesbrough’s academy either. It’s a stupid question. The difference is opportunity. Emanuele Giaccherini played 40 games in a very successful Juventus team that included mostly Italian players. Italian football, with its financial woes, is not as fixated on foreign imports now as it once was, so he got that chance. The fact he is now at Sunderland suggest he did not take it as successfully as some, despite your glowing praise. As for Jozy Altidore, he was a complete flop in English football during his season-long loan at Hull City in 2009-10. He then went to Holland and thrived in an inferior league with AZ Alkmaar and has now been given another chance. Lucky old Jozy. Where do you think Wickham would be if he played a whole season, got booked three times as much as he scored (six yellow cards, two goals including one at Southend United in the Carling Cup) and was then sent off in the crucial match that as good as saw his club, Hull City, relegated? He wouldn’t be back in the Premier League, that’s for certain, no matter what happened at AZ. And Borini, two goals for Liverpool last season? Where is the evidence that he has any greater quality than many English footballers of his age? Nobody said Wickham was the finished article, or that any of Sunderland’s academy boys are going to be World Footballer of the Year, but don’t kid us that Altidore or Borini represent players that can attain that status either because they most certainly don’t.
Sunderland had five British players in their starting XI for the last game, including two local players, and brought two English players on in the second half. Why is Sunderland the target for this article? David, Newcastle.
Margaret Byrne’s outraged reaction to Dyke’s comments. Had any of the other clubs Dyke mentioned appeared so affronted, it would have been just as timely to inspect their claims. As for the British players you mentioned, this is about English football – an Irish goalkeeper, for instance, is about as much use to Roy Hodgson as David De Gea.
Jack Colback, a local lad, has started every game for Sunderland this season. Jordan Henderson was sold to Liverpool for £20m. It might not be great, but it's not as bad as you are making out. Micks11, Sunderland.
I didn’t write about the past Mick, and even to focus on the present is missing the point slightly. This is about the future and where the club goes from here. Also, if you can reel off every player the club has produced in recent seasons, and grind to a halt at two, we are not exactly talking a production line.
The likes of Sunderland and Manchester City are a disgrace to English football.
Rednotbitter, Manchester.
And I didn’t say that, either. My instincts still tell me that a good kid comes through and businesses should be able to make their own decisions on staff. I merely questioned how much opportunity will remain as clubs turn their technical development arms over to foreign scouts and directors.
Premier League handbook: Rule U1. A Player shall not play for a Club in a League Match unless that Club holds his registration with effect from at least one hour before kick-off and for League Matches to be played between the close of the First Transfer Window and the end of the Season either (U.1.1) his name is included on the Squad List or (U.1.2) he is an Under 21 Player. So exactly why would Sunderland register those players? MooleyMoo, Taihape.
Well, they registered Mikael Madron, who would also count as an under-21.
The desperation in the media to see Paolo Di Canio fail is getting quite unbelievable. After reading that article I'm actually embarrassed for you. Let's run through a few facts: there were Premier League teams last weekend with no British players in them, but not Sunderland. There were Premier League clubs that bought no British players over the summer, but not Sunderland. Sunderland have two young Englishmen who are first choice players, Jack Colback and Adam Johnson, as well as more on the bench in Connor Wickham plus Lee Cattermole and Wes Brown on the treatment table. But for some reason, Sunderland are singled out. It's so blatant, it's comical. The next time you complain about there being no characters in football, please remember the hatchet job your newspaper is attempting against Di Canio and kindly shut up. Ste, Manchester.
Don’t be embarrassed for me, Ste, although you might feel a little embarrassed yourself. It’s Paolo Di Canio, not De Canio as you wrote. Don’t worry, I corrected it. Our little secret. No-one will ever know. Oh, damn. Me and my big mouth. As for your second point, there is no hatchet job against Di Canio. The column wasn’t even about Di Canio but a subject of far wider interest. By all means get paranoid and think your team is bottom of the league because of some bizarre newspaper vendetta, but believe me it is more likely to be a series of mundane issues such as Colback, one of the players you mentioned, being used out of position, or Wickham not scoring enough goals or the 14 signings needing more time to become a fluent team. Still, finding the real reasons requires a little thought and it is far easier to just get your knickers in a twist at any perceived slight. And now, a bonus debate. I started replying to the comments from Monday’s column this week but when British Airways messed up my travel arrangements and I couldn’t get to Marseille’s match with Arsenal, I had a little more time and took on the Sunderland posts instead. Seems pointless to just delete the stuff about Roy Hodgson’s long ball tactics, though. I had started it. And it’s sitting there on my computer, so you might as well have it. Just a few, mind.
Sunderland supporters on Di Canio's talent drain and the argument over Redknapp for England rages on PART III
Did they play like this under Fabio Capello? No . And were they any more successful? No.
Michael, London.
And your point is what, Michael? That is doesn’t matter because we are going to get knocked out anyway. Tell you what, if that is the outcome, couldn’t we at least play a little football on the way – because if we’re going to lose, at least go down having a bit of fun, or trying to bring some joy to the world. Like this chap.
Roy Hodgson managed his successful teams in a different era. These days, he is a mid-table manager locking minds and tactics with more adventurous, up-to-date managers who will know that the England midfield will be bypassed with long balls to a lone striker. Roy and his tactics were actually found out at Liverpool, but that didn't matter to those who hire the England managers. Forrestleigh, Lincoln.
To some extent I have sympathy for Hodgson. As Jamie Redknapp stated last week, the Football Association knew the style of manager he was when he got the job. I have always believed the manager of England needs to be by nature adventurous because there are so many matches in which the opposition are happy to play for a draw. Fabio Capello was a pragmatist, too, but his England team still played on the front foot and he would not have dreamed of going long from the kick-off. As you say, we knew where and how Hodgson experienced his greatest success but that was ignored. He was a conservative choice and it is a pity to see him genuinely bemused when what he regards as a good performance, such as the 0-0 draw in Ukraine, meets with criticism. There is disconnection. He doesn’t get why people are unhappy, we don’t get why he is satisfied with that level of performance.
The Football Association had two clear choices: the right one, Harry Redknapp, and the safe one, Hodgson. They don't like people pushing the boundaries on or off the pitch. We were sold short, before my time, when Brian Clough wasn't given the chance, and now the only English manager capable of taking the team in a progressive direction has been overlooked. We will qualify, we will play poorly, people will blame the players but the truth is the buck stops with Roy.
The Facehead, Newquay.
Redknapp would certainly have been my choice for the reasons detailed above. In Europe with Tottenham Hotspur he played with gusto and took the team further than any imagined. In the head-to-head match with Manchester City, that decided qualification to the Champions League the following season, he went to their place and won by being aggressive, On a good day, his Tottenham team played the most exciting football in the country. This was the manager that the FA passed over, not the guy who took over a doomed mission at Queens Park Rangers. It made no sense to me then, and it still doesn’t now.
We may have only lost on penalty kicks to Italy at the 2012 European Championships, but it was evident then that there was only one team playing football, and Italy deservedly progressed. The same players do it week in week out with their clubs and can't do it for England. I believe the blame lies with the manager and coaching staff. Ian Holloway for England. Splashback, London.
You lost me at the end there, Splash, but I have never understood why we kid ourselves that our players are inferior, when their Premier League and Champions League performances provide evidence to the contrary every week.
No long ball, no place for Steven Gerrard because that is his strength. Have him on the bench just in case long ball football is needed. Brian44, France.
Except it wasn’t Gerrard playing long passes against Ukraine. England’s direct approach started deeper than that. He was blameless. And I would add there is a difference between a long ball struck into a general area and a long pass which is what Gerrard plays, most times.
Valid point on Hodgson, although I do believe in most of the games he has insisted England remain patient in possession and knock it about. However, he is yet to resolve the problem that arises when England are pressed up the field. Why do England defend so deep? They have aggressive players that can run all day, surely they should be the ones pressing up field? Dreadnought, Belgrade.
It comes back to caution. We keep delaying playing in an aggressive fashion in this group and now we must win two games. Let us hope we remember how.
Sunderland supporters on Di Canio's talent drain and the argument over Redknapp for England rages on PART IV
I thought Martin Samuel was harsh when he was initially sceptical of Roy Hodgson's appointment 19 months ago, but this stale qualification campaign has proven him right. Hodgson's tactics against Ukraine made Stoke City look like Holland in 1974 and gave the Ukrainians respect their talent did not merit. No one expected him to turn England into world beaters but Hodgson could at least implement a style of play which would look out of place on Hackney Marshes on a Sunday morning. KennyA87, London.
Oh, everyone thinks I’m harsh, Kenny. They thought I was harsh about Hodgson, harsh about Sven Goran Eriksson, and now a lot of the same people tie themselves in knots defending football that we know is sub-standard because the alternative is to admit they got it wrong. Look, I still hope we will qualify. I want Hodgson to get England to Brazil and to have a good tournament and, if he does, and people think I’m wrong, I’ll still be happy. But my criticism at the time was that England went for the middle of the road option, and that would deliver middle of the road football, and I’ve seen little to contradict that. England are top of the group with two games left but, considering the opposition, so they should be. Hodgson is only par for the course so far. Par wins very few tournaments.
Did anyone watch the documentary about Swansea City under Roberto Martinez? He told the board of directors that he wanted to play a close control, fast passing brand of football. The centre-halves and full-backs said at first they were nervous at having to play tight balls into midfield but eventually the whole team bought into the idea, they played some great football and got promoted with players previously considered very mediocre. If Swansea can do it, England can do it. I’d rather go out of a competition playing football, rather than 50-yard balls. Sunnydays, Stockton.
The most ridiculous argument is the one about winning the World Cup playing rotten football, rather than trying to play like Brazil and getting knocked out. Nobody wins the World Cup with bad football; and nobody wins it with long ball. If we get to Brazil and play long, we will progress so far and lose to a technical team that does not concede possession with a random approach. And yes, if Swansea can do it, so can we. That is my point exactly.
The FA could not care less about how the England team plays. It's a gravy train for them. They don't want an outspoken manager coming in and rocking the boat. Chuckmeat, Reading.
Now what is it, Chuck, a train or a boat? Maybe it’s a hovercraft or a leaky canoe. Either way, I make you right. The moment David Bernstein walked in with Hodgson that day, flanked at the top table by Alex Horne and Sir Trevor Brooking, it all fell into place. Redknapp was never a fit with the FA. They wanted safe; except suddenly, safe isn’t as safe as they thought.
I am an Arsenal fan so this might be biased, but I had to defend Jack Wilshere's performance against Ukraine. He can't play unless you give him the ball and then someone shows for him. England might as well have not bothered picking him for all the good he can do if the team plays long-ball football. They should pick Kevin Nolan who at least has some experience and expertise in playing that way. RSSR, London.
I agree. Hodgson’s post-match comments put into perspective the idea that the players failed. They did what they were told – and that is why he had to defend them and the performance. Jack didn’t play well but there were mitigating circumstances.
Why are we surprised? All Hodgson's teams play like this. If we wanted flair and imagination we needed Redknapp. Steviejay99, Colchester.
I can't believe people on here are still shouting for Redknapp. Fatharry, Middlesbrough.
Why? He was the best English candidate by a mile. He probably still is. He is, however, one of those people that it is impossible to write about without being accused of being his mate, or just liking him because he is good for a quote. Terry Venables was the same. Despite the fact that Terry’s quotes were always bland, and half the media were dead set against him, he was always depicted as the journalists' mate. The decision to overlook Redknapp in 2012 made even less sense than ignoring Clough, considering the paucity of the candidates. We had been waiting for years for an English manager who competed at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League, we finally got one, playing marvellous football to boot, and we ignored him.
You said that Italy and France had not dissimilar matches to England last week. How are Belarus (ranked 76th) similar to Ukraine (ranked 26th)? Also, France drew with Georgia (97th), three days before but I see you conveniently didn’t mention that. Jason89, Surrey.
Ukraine and Belarus are not dissimilar because they are both republics that were part of the Soviet Union and are technically efficient. I didn’t mention France’s result against Georgia because I was only comparing Tuesday’s matches and just passing and possession statistics, not the results of the games. Hope this clears that up. Anything else you don’t understand, feel free to drop me a line.
The FA aren't interested in the style or quality of play. They just want the financial rewards from qualifying for major tournaments and that, in their eyes, will justify Hodgson's appointment.
Andy, Wigan.
Only if he gets there, Andy. Only if he gets there. Anyway, that’s all he wrote. Until next week, at least.
Hard work can make Sunderland’s Altidore a Premier goalden boy
JOZY ALTIDORE can emerge as one of the Premier League’s star strikers if he fulfils his promise on Wearside, says Paolo Di Canio.
But the Sunderland head coach has warned Altidore that he must up his work-rate if he wants to reproduce the prolific goalscoring form he enjoyed in Holland.
Altidore was denied a first Premier League goal in Sunderland colours last weekend after referee Martin Atkinson’s failure to play an advantage against Arsenal.
The American international, who netted 31 times for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar last season, has shown glimpses of the attacking prowess which persuaded Sunderland to shell out £6million during the summer, with the 23-year-old breaking his Black Cats duck in last month’s Capital One Cup success over MK Dons.
But Di Canio believes Altidore is still to prove what a lethal frontman he can be in the Premier League after netting just once during his first spell in English football as a teenage loanee at Hull City.
The Italian told the Echo: “Now I need him to show that he can be one of the attractions in this league.
“He has fantastic potential but he has to transfer that potential into reality. You do that by working very, very hard in football, otherwise it is difficult.
“I know it is difficult – Jozy found it difficult in this division a few years ago when he was very young but he needs to use that experience as motivation to do better this time around.
“That should spark his desire and his ambition to prove that he wasn’t just an average player in this league.
“He might think it was a case of wrong time, wrong team last time he was here and he can prove that by making a real success of his time at Sunderland.
“Now he is at the best place and if he trains hard and learns then he can do well.”
Di Canio believes the return of fit-again Steven Fletcher will ease the burden on Altidore after the two frontmen were paired together for the first time against the Gunners.
“I think he is trying his hardest and hopefully it will become easier for him now that Steven Fletcher is back,” added Di Canio.
“Now you have two players who can have a good combination on the edge of the box and who are willing to work hard and run for each other to create space and opportunities.
“Jose has to understand that this league is tough and because of that you have to run more, move more to be available, still alert with his brain - otherwise it is difficult.
“He needs to do all this if he is to fulfil his potential.
“He needs to use his energy in every single moment of the game.
“He has to attack the space, attack the channels. He has to work hard to receive the ball and then he has to work hard even if he is not going to receive the ball.
Sunderland skipper John O'Shea back from suspension ahead of West Brom trip
Midfield duo Lee Cattermole and Emanuele Giaccherini return from injury but Wes Brown misses out on Hawthornes visit
John O'Shea is back in the Sunderland squad for their visit to West Brom.
The Black Cats skipper missed last weekend's 3-1 home defeat by Arsenal after receiving a red card at Crystal Palace, but returns to squad along with midfielder Lee Cattermole who is fit again after an ankle injury.
Italian midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini also returns following the hamstring problem that made hit sit out the clash with the Gunners, but Wes Brown misses out due to a calf problem.
Paolo Di Canio will be present on the touchline after he was given an £8,000 fine for misconduct in the Black Cat's Arsenal loss.
“It’s not my opinion, the referee made a mistake," he said after the final whistle.
“The referee has the power to wait and finish the moment and come back with the decision. He made a mistake and he has to accept that.
“It is not my opinion because you can’t say ‘no I don’t agree’. It is clear.”
Newcastle, Villa, Sunderland and Palace track Burnley hitman Danny Ings
BURNLEY striker Danny Ings has attracted the interest of Newcastle, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Crystal Palace after a prolific start to the season.
Ings has scored seven goals in just nine appearances for Burnley so far this term, adding a brace to his haul during Tuesday night's 3-0 win over Birmingham.
And the 21-year-old has attracted admiring glances from the Premier League already, with Newcastle, Villa, Sunderland and Palace all monitoring the Englishman ahead of the January transfer window.
Ings scored just three goals this season, but has stepped up this term to help fill the void left by Charlie Austin at Turf Moor, after he joined QPR.
And the ex-Bournemouth marksman's suitors will be encouraged to raid Burnley for another one of their forwards, with the Championship outfit viewed in some quarters as a selling club.
The Clarets sold star striker Jay Rodriguez to Southampton last year, before letting Austin move on this summer.
Manager Sean Dyche is desperate to keep hold of Ings though, and is prepared to slap a £7million asking price on his head to ward off interest.
Danny Ings has stepped up this term to help fill the void left by Charlie Austin at Turf Moor
Sunderland face a ‘must-win’ game as they travel to West Brom
Saturday should make for an interesting afternoon of football for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, if the murmurings in the press during the week are anything to go by, Lee Cattermole looks set to complete his startling return to the first team fold. If you’d have dared suggest such a situation little more than a month ago you could quite easily have found yourself belittled, mocked or even locked up, such is the unbelievable turnaround in the former captain’s fortunes.
Paolo Di Canio will hope that his midfield general can provide some bite in the centre of the park, breaking up the play and winning possession which in turn will give licence to Ki Sung-Yeung to work some magic ahead of him.
Secondly, the God’s of football have thrown another interesting story into the mix as former Sunderland fan favourite, Stephane Sessegnon, having received clearance to play looks set to make his debut for West Brom.
Sessegnon cut a mercurial figure on Wearside. Capable of the sublime, magical and match-winning moments of brilliance one week to barely even breaking sweat or looking interested for the following two or three. I can’t remember a player as frustrating as Sessegnon at Sunderland for many a year. There is no doubting his ability whatsoever and indeed he should really be plying his trade at a higher level but that is purely a result of his maddening inconsistency.
Never the less you wouldn’t put it past Sessegnon to have one of those days on Saturday, coming back to haunt his former club, that’s just what happens in football isn’t it? I suppose the best we can hope for is that the little fella “does a Shelvey”.
Finally, Saturday is quite simply a must win game for Sunderland. With only four games gone of the new season I am perfectly aware of how preposterous that will sound, but with Sunderland facing Liverpool, Manchester United and a tricky trip to Swansea before the small matter of the Wear/Tyne derby, Di Canio really needs to get some points on the board as soon as possible.
West Brom, much like Sunderland, find themselves at the wrong end of the table at this stage of the season, although the Baggies have an additional point for their efforts, having snatched an injury time equaliser last time out at Craven Cottage.
Despite having come undone against Arsenal last weekend, there were reasons for Sunderland fans to be positive from their side’s second half performance which produced a display that could very well have earned a share of the spoils. Should Sunderland present West Brom with such a challenge from the first whistle, as opposed to waiting until half-time before getting going, they may very well have a chance of victory and in turn ease some of the pressure that has been mounting on Di Canio.
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Saturday, 21 September
West Brom's Stephane Sessegnon could make his debut against his former club after receiving a work permit.
Forwards Shane Long and Matej Vydra are doubts with respective knee and hamstring problems.
Sunderland captain John O'Shea is back from suspension, while fit-again midfielder Lee Cattermole could feature for the first time this season.
Emanuele Giaccherini has recovered from a hamstring problem but Wes Brown is ruled out by a calf injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
After just a month of the new season it would seem churlish to attach too much significance to a meeting of the Premier League's bottom two.
However, history has shown that recovering from a bad start can be problematic in the world's most unforgiving division.
This time last season, for example, both Reading and QPR already languished in the bottom three; the die cast, they barely moved for the remainder of the campaign.
This weekend's loser may feel decidedly insecure and a look at the challenges that lie ahead will only add to that concern.
For West Brom, who only celebrated their first league goal of the season last weekend, trips to Old Trafford, the Britannia Stadium and Anfield are lined up, with a visit from Arsenal sandwiched in between.
Sunderland host Liverpool and Manchester United before a 350-mile trip to Swansea precedes their derby with Newcastle. It all points to Saturday's events taking on greater importance than they might otherwise have done.
Both clubs are winless in their last eight games stretching back to April. The Baggies have actually only won one of their last 13 and none in front of their own fans since 9 March. Paolo Di Canio's two victories early in his reign are the only wins Sunderland have recorded since January!
Statistics aside though, the potential debut of Stephane Sessegnon adds a final delightful twist to this fascinating tale.
A work permit delay means that his long-awaited bow will now come against the manager who deemed him surplus to requirements - surely his name will be the first on Steve Clarke's team sheet?
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Brom are chasing a fourth successive win against Sunderland, and have won six of their previous seven Premier League games against the Black Cats (W6, D1).
Sunderland have only won one top-flight game at the Hawthorns in 31 years - a 1-0 victory in January 2006 when Anthony Le Tallec got the only goal.
West Bromwich Albion
With two points from four games, the Baggies have made their worst start to a top-flight season since 1985.
West Brom are winless in eight league games (D3, L5).
They claimed 33 of 49 points in the first half of the 2012-13 campaign, but since then have taken just 18 points from 23 games (including this season).
Nicolas Anelka has scored seven goals in 10 Premier League appearances against Sunderland.
Sunderland
The Black Cats won two of their first three games under Paolo Di Canio, but since then have claimed three points from eight league matches (D3, L5).
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in those eight games, conceding a total of 17 goals.
Their win at Newcastle in April is their only victory in their last nine away league games (W1, D1, L7).
Steven Fletcher has scored three goals in four Premier League games against West Brom.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Mark Lawrenson
Football analyst
"I am getting vilified by Sunderland fans because I said before the season that I thought they would be relegated and I didn't think the manager would still be there at Christmas.
"In all honesty, though, I cannot see how anything has changed. Paolo Di Canio's antics on the touchline do not help and the problem for Sunderland is that everything seems to be all about him."
Steve Clarke: No guarantee Nicolas Anelka will face Sunderland
Steve Clarke today insisted Nicolas Anelka is not guaranteed a starting place at Albion ahead of tomorrow’s Hawthorns showdown with Sunderland.
But the Baggies head coach defended the performances of his star summer signing as he considers his attacking options for the crucial meeting with the Black Cats.
Anelka has struggled to carry his superb pre-season form into the opening four games of the Premier League season and Albion go into tomorrow’s game without a win and with just one goal to their name.
Stephane Sessegnon and James Morrison are both placing pressure on Anelka.
Asked whether the Frenchman’s place was guaranteed, Clarke said: “It’s a squad game. Some players will play and some will be on the bench and some will be out of the squad completely.
“They all have to make sure if they are selected they are ready to go as maybe they won’t get two chances this year.
“Maybe it’s a different challenge for some. If you’re not ready for your chance, your chance passes you by.
“I have a big squad of players – I asked for that – and I have to manage them, but they have to be ready when selected.”
However, Clarke defended the role of Anelka, who returned to the first-team fray after briefly hinting at retirement just one game into his Baggies career.
“Nicolas’s form, by and large, has been good,” said Clarke. “He’s been OK and he’s brought a different dimension to the team.
“I think it’s wrong that people single out Nicolas as ‘the name’. He’s part of the team that has struggled to create chances.
“It’s not just about Nicolas creating chances and scoring goals. It’s about everybody else chipping in.
“We have tightened up a bit and now we need to find more creativity going forward. That does not apply just to Nicolas Anelka but everyone in the team to step up to the mark to create more chances and score more goals.
“When you’re a star – and Nicolas is a star in world football – you will grab the headlines. But football’s a team game.”
“We’re delighted that he’s here and he’s raised the profile of the club but it’s everybody’s job to create and score chances, not only Nicolas.”
West Bromwich Albion blog: Scarred for life by Sunderland defeat
There are certain football scars that will never heal no matter how long ago the wound was opened.
You may think instantly of wounds relating to giant killing acts or bitter blows at the hands of local rivals.
But, I was scarred for life in 1969 at the hands of Sunderland.
While I was cutting my teeth on the nuances of following my beloved Baggies, as a 10-year-old I was heavily influenced by my Uncle Derek.
Not only did he play football every Saturday afternoon, but he had a way of talking about our club. He was passionate about all things relating to the Baggies.
So, one Saturday evening as he announced he was about to fetch the latest copy of The Sports Argus I jumped at the chance of travelling with him, in his mini, to a newsagents in Leabrook Road, Ocker Hill.
He was in a good mood, he had played his part in a winning team that Saturday.
But once he returned to his mini, Sports Argus in hand, he threw the paper down in disgust.
“I just don’t believe it!” he kept saying, over and over again.
“What’s the matter, Uncle?” was all I could offer.
“Sunderland beat us 6-0 and have won the FA Youth Cup!” he shouted.
“Not only that, but we had already beat them up here 3-0!”
Of course, as soon as we returned to my nan’s everyone knew Uncle Derek was the bearer of bad tidings as soon as we walked through the door. The result was written all over his face.
To put the heavy defeat at the hands of Sunderland into context, West Bromwich Albion’s youth team featured quite a few decent players.
Also the Baggies had seen off Manchester United in the semi-final winning 5-3 on aggregate.
Albion’s FA Youth Cup team versus Sunderland was: Gordon Nisbet; Roger Minton; Syd Bell; Lyndon Hughes; Jim Holton; Alistair Robertson; Stuart Woolgar; Asa Hartford; Keith Morris; Len Cantello and Hugh Maclean. Sub: David Butler.
Perhaps a win tomorrow against Sunderland would go some way to healing my scar incurred 44 years ago!
West Bromwich Albion's Scottish manager Steve Clarke awaits kick off in the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England.
West Bromwich Albion host Sunderland at the weekend as both teams look to register their first Premier League win of the season.
The Baggies and the Black Cats currently sit in the bottom two positions in the league table, with a victory apiece in the League Cup all that they have to show for their season so far.
West Brom head coach Steve Clarke will have new signing Stephane Sessegnon at his disposal after the former Sunderland man was finally handed a work permit earlier this week.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio will be able to call upon defender John O'Shea, who missed the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal through suspension.
The Italian could also recall midfielder Craig Gardner, who came off the bench to score last weekend.
West Brom vs Sunderland EPL Projected Lineups include Anelka and Altidore
Last season West Brom were the surprise package of the year under Steve Clark. However, so far this season injuries and lack of form have stopped the Baggies in their tracks and have seen them only manage two points from their opening possible 12.
Sunderland likewise are yet to still see themselves make any real progress as Paolo Di Canio's side continues to struggle with a major lack of continuity in the side due to so many personel changes in the past few seasons, especially this summer.
Nicolas Anelka is yet to get his campaign off to a real start for West Brom as various circumstances have seen him miss matches and time with the club. The arrivals of Scott Sinclair and Stephane Sessegnon for the club are positives but once again it is taking time for them to find their feet in a new squad.
Sunderland so far have shown more attacking threats this season as their wingplay has seen many scoring chances created or resulted in the creation of set pieces where they have been dangerous as well.
West Brom are strong if they are defending a lead but have not yet really shown that they can go out and get a win like they did last season as the only dominating victory of their campaign thus far was against Newport in the Capital One Cup back in late August.
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland: Five players under the spotlight
This matchup sees two teams who have had poor starts to the seasons go head to head at the Hawthorns.
Baggies manager Steve Clarke will believe his side has the quality to overcome the Black Cats but Paolo Di Canio’s side will be out to prove a point.
I could see this one ending in a draw as neither side will have the confidence to go for the win because of the risk of leaving their defense exposed and potentially losing the game.
It may not be a thriller but it will be a tight tense affair, not one for the neutral.
Odds: West Brom 11/10, Draw 5/2, Sunderland 29/10
Last meeting:
West Brom 2-1 Sunderland – 23rd February 2013, The Hawthorns
Two goals from on loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku powered the home side to victory despite a late strike from Stéphane Sessègnon that made it 2-1. At the time it sent Sunderland further into relegation trouble as they a poor run of form saw them clinging on to their Premier League status, West Brom on the other hand were on their way to a Premier League best finish for the club.
Five players to watch on Saturday:
Stéphane Sessègnon
He impressed for Sunderland when he first signed but he fell out of favour over the summer and was eventually sold to West Brom. He can certainly bring some quality to the Baggies’ midfield. In the past he has shown the ability to change games with his goals and assists. He didn’t feature last week against Fulham because of his work permit but he is now available for selection against his old team/
Victor Anichebe
The Nigerian striker never really got an extended run in the Everton side, when he did play he couldn’t quite score the number of goals required to be a success as a striker, his finishing often let him down. He may make his West Brom debut after joining the club on deadline day; he will be hoping that a fresh start will give him a new lease of life. He certainly offers something different for West Brom.
Steven Fletcher
Paolo Di Canio stated this week that he could be Sunderland’s saviour this season, the Scot has scored one goal in the Premier League this season and he will be looking to add to that tally against West Brom with his side in desperate need of a win. If they do get the three points then they could see themselves climb off the foot of the table.
Lee Cattermole
There were reports the former captain would be sold in the summer with the player himself wanting to leave but no deal was completed. Di Canio has made it clear that he will use Cattermole this season and if he can regain his fitness he can play a big role at the Hawthorns and for the rest of the season.
John O’Shea
The club’s captain returns to the Sunderland defence after suspension kept him out of the loss to Arsenal. He’s one of the clubs most experienced players and his presence will help the team get over their poor start. Di Canio stressed that he would go straight back into the side despite a poor challenge that received a red card against Crystal Palace.
Stephane Sessegnon is in line to make his West Brom debut against his former employers Sunderland at The Hawthorns.
The Benin international has his work permit now in place and is in contention to start against his former club.
Victor Anichebe made his debut last time out against Fulham but he or Nicolas Anelka could make way for Sessegnon.
Morgan Amalfitano, who also made his bow at Craven Cottage, could also be dropped to the bench with fit-again James Morrison and loanee Scott Sinclair pushing for starts.
Strikers Shane Long (knee) and Matej Vydra (hamstring) remain doubtful for the match while Steven Reid, Zoltan Gera and George Thorne are still working their way back to fitness. Goalkeeper Ben Foster is recovering from surgery on his foot.
Sunderland have Italian star Emanuele Giaccherini available again after his hamstring problem kept him out of their 3-1 loss to Arsenal last week.
Giaccherini is set to replace Greek winger Charis Mavrias.
Club captain John O'Shea has served a one-match ban and is also likely to come into the starting XI.
Another player back in contention having been brought in from the wilderness is former skipper Lee Cattermole, who has not featured since the start of the year.
The former Middlesbrough man could come straight into Di Canio's side, while Wes Brown, who had returned to the bench against Arsenal, is out with a groin problem.
West Bromwich(WBA) vs Sunderland preview - Sessegnon set for swift reunion
Steve Clarke is ready to throw Stephane Sessegnon in at the deep end should the forward make his West Brom debut against former club Sunderland.
The Benin international arrived at The Hawthorns on transfer deadline day in what eventually turned out to be an acrimonious departure from Wearside.
Sessegnon had a lot of fans at the Stadium of Light but divided opinion due to his enigmatic demeanour, with Black Cats boss Paolo Di Canio questioning his commitment after selling him to Albion.
Baggies boss Clarke has yet to get to know the forward but has no doubt the player will be raring to go should he make his bow on Saturday.
"I won't have to motivate Stephane," he said.
"He's just joined a new club and he's got a new challenge. You can see every day in training that he's excited about the prospect of playing here and he's looking forward to the game at the weekend.
"I don't think it would matter who we were playing, he'd still be looking forward to it.
"I haven't read Paolo's comments because I tend not to read the media. I'm not really sure what the context was.
"Sometimes when a player leaves a club the manager will choose to make some critical comments but that's for every individual to decide how they want to do it.
"I've only known Stephane for 10 days or so. It's not very long and I haven't had too many chats with him.
"He's quiet, but when I was young I was quiet as well. That doesn't make you introverted or a difficult character. Some people are quiet, some people are loud.
"Everybody has their own character."
Defender John O'Shea returns to the Sunderland squad, as does former skipper Lee Cattermole, who seemed set to leave the Stadium of Light during the summer, and midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini following his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Di Canio has urged his players to take responsibility for securing a much-needed first win of the season.
The Black Cats are stuck at the bottom of the table with just a single point from their four games to date.
Di Canio insists he is not concerned by a run of results which could get worse before it gets better with leaders Liverpool due at the Stadium of Light next weekend and champions Manchester United following hot on their heels.
However, the 45-year-old Italian knows how much of a boost a win over the Baggies, who are only a point better off, could provide and he is challenging his players to make a statement.
He said: "Paolo Di Canio is the first responsible because I pick my players, I choose the strategy of how we have to play. I absolutely always agree with this: the manager is the number one responsible.
"But the players have to feel a responsibility. They are adult footballers who have to have the desire and the courage to say, 'Yes, we lost, we lost, but I am sure I did my best'.
"It doesn't mean you can be bad or not give quality in training sessions, you have to be professional. Don't smile, but train harder.
"It doesn't have to come only from the manager, otherwise it's tough. This is why I hope we are going to win soon."
1508: West Brom 0-0 Sunderland
Not much to shout about in the first few minutes of the basement battle between the bottom two at The Hawthorns.
Sunderland almost found Fabio Borini, but Adam Johnson's long through-ball had just a little bit too much welly on it.
At the other end, Black Cats keeper Kieren Westwood got himself in a tangle when he waited for the ball to bounce into his box and Nicolas Anelka almost pounced. Westwood recovered, but only just in time.
West Brom v Sunderland (1500 BST)
As expected former Sunderland midfielder Stephane Sessegnon starts for West Brom after receiving his work permit, but strikers Shane Long and Matej Vydra both miss out through injury.
Defender John O'Shea returns to the starting line-up for the Sunderland after serving a one-match ban, while striker Fabio Borini makes his first start since signing on loan from Liverpool. Midfield man Lee Cattermole could also make his first appearance of the season, named on the bench after injury.
LINE-UPS- West Brom v Sunderland (1500 BST)
West Brom: Myhill, Billy Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Morrison, Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Sinclair, Anelka. Subs: Popov, Yacob, Rosenberg, Camp, Lugano, Anichebe, Berahino.
Sunderland: Westwood, Celustka, Diakite, O'Shea, Colback, Johnson, Gardner, Ki, Giaccherini, Borini, Fletcher. Subs: Altidore, Ba, Cuellar, Mannone, Ji, Cattermole, Mavrias.
45:00 +1:06 Half time
Half Time
The first half comes to an end.
45:00 +0:48 Adam Johnson produces a cross.
45:00 +0:09 The ball is sent over by Emanuele Giaccherini.
44:44 Free kick taken by Modibo Diakite.
44:26 Unfair challenge on Fabio Borini by James Morrison results in a free kick.
43:49 Liam Ridgewell makes a clearance.
1547: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
At last, something for Paolo di Canio to smile about - Sunderland's best chance for some time, which comes right at the end of the first half. Emanuele Giaccherini's clipped cross is only just too high for Fabio Borini, who had timed his run to perfection.
1544: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
While West Brom are turning on the style, we have not seen much of Sunderland as an attacking force of late.
The Black Cats' bright start is a distant memory and their manager Paolo di Canio is pacing his technical area in frustration, as his side continue to give the ball away. Di Canio looks like an agitated man - I would not fancy being on the end of his half-time team-talk.
41:56 Keiren Westwood takes the free kick.
41:20 The assistant referee signals for offside against Nicolas Anelka.
41:15 Clearance made by Billy Jones.
40:36 Jonas Olsson restarts play with the free kick.
40:28 Fabio Borini challenges Gareth McAuley unfairly and gives away a free kick.
40:07 Billy Jones takes the free kick.
39:49 Emanuele Giaccherini gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Billy Jones.
1541: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
West Brom are playing some lovely passing football, sweeping the ball forward and keeping Sunderland pegged back. They have created some more half-chances too, and Nicolas Anelka will be disappointed there was nobody to get on the end of his pull-back from the right of the penalty area.
38:27 Clearance made by Modibo Diakite.
38:25 The ball is crossed by Nicolas Anelka.
37:32 Clearance by Youssouf Mulumbu.
37:32 The ball is sent over by Fabio Borini.
36:06 John O'Shea makes a clearance.
36:04 The ball is delivered by Nicolas Anelka.
35:09 Jonas Olsson takes the free kick.
34:42 Booking
34:42 Sung-Yeung Ki goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. 34:30 Sung-Yeung Ki gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephane Sessegnon.
33:58 Youssouf Mulumbu takes the free kick.
33:48 The referee gives a free kick against Fabio Borini for handball.
32:34 John O'Shea manages to make a clearance.
32:33 The ball is sent over by Nicolas Anelka.
32:21 The ball is swung over by Stephane Sessegnon.
31:50 Ondrej Celustka manages to make a clearance.
31:47 The ball is delivered by Morgan Amalfitano.
31:38 Clearance by Gareth McAuley.
30:42 James Morrison manages to make a clearance.
1532: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
Sunderland were on top before they went behind but the closest they have come to a reply was when a deep cross reached Adam Johnson, just inside the West Brom box. His low shot was fizzing into the bottom corner but a Baggies defender threw his body at the ball to make a vital block.
At the other end, Morgan Amalfitano, who provided the cross that led to West Brom's goal, has also gone close with a stinging shot that was deflected over the top.
1529: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
Hands up who fancied Stephane Sessegnon to score on his debut and against his former club today then? The West Brom fans are currently singing "Thank you Di Canio", just rub a bit more salt into Sunderland manager Paolo di Canio's wounds.
29:10 Clearance by Ondrej Celustka.
29:06 Corner taken by Morgan Amalfitano from the right by-line. 28:18 Steven Fletcher makes a clearance.
28:15 Corner from the right by-line taken by Morgan Amalfitano. 27:47 James Morrison has an effort at goal. Blocked by Craig Gardner.
27:45 Liam Ridgewell restarts play with the free kick.
27:26 Jack Colback goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. 27:26 Booking
27:18 Unfair challenge on Stephane Sessegnon by Jack Colback results in a free kick.
27:08 The ball is delivered by Emanuele Giaccherini.
27:02 James Morrison manages to make a clearance.
26:58 Corner taken by Adam Johnson.
26:35 Adam Johnson takes a shot. Liam Ridgewell gets a block in. 26:33 Centre by Emanuele Giaccherini.
26:25 Billy Jones manages to make a clearance.
26:20 Free kick taken by Keiren Westwood.
25:48 The assistant referee flags for offside against Nicolas Anelka.
23:47 Billy Jones manages to make a clearance.
23:30 Jonas Olsson makes a clearance.
23:27 Clearance by James Morrison.
22:39 Clearance by Fabio Borini.
22:35 Stephane Sessegnon takes a shot. Craig Gardner gets a block in.
22:34 Clearance made by John O'Shea.
22:30 Free kick crossed by Morgan Amalfitano.
21:57 Foul by Ondrej Celustka on Stephane Sessegnon, free kick awarded.
21:28 Liam Ridgewell makes a clearance.
21:17 Jonas Olsson manages to make a clearance.
20:43 Billy Jones makes a clearance.
1519: GOAL - West Brom 1-0 Sunderland (Stephane Sessegnon)
As soon as I finish typing the previous entry, Stephane Sessegnon pops up to slot home the opener against his former team. Sunderland goalkeeper Kieren Westwood blocks Scott Sinclair's shot and Sessegnon is onto the loose ball in a flash to side-foot home. No celebration from the goal-scorer. Paolo di Canio may want to reconsider those comments questioning the Benin international's work-rate.
1519: West Brom 0-0 Sunderland
Stephane Sessegnon has made a quiet start to his West Brom career and his former club Sunderland have enjoyed the best of the last five minutes, albeit without creating any clear-cut chances.
19:13 Goal scored
Goal! - Stephane Sessegnon - West Brom 1 - 0 Sunderland
Stephane Sessegnon grabs a goal with a right foot finish. West Brom 1-0 Sunderland.
19:09 The ball is delivered by Morgan Amalfitano.
19:00 Stephane Sessegnon takes the free kick.
18:46 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicolas Anelka by Modibo Diakite.
18:09 Keiren Westwood takes the free kick.
17:34 Foul by Stephane Sessegnon on Adam Johnson, free kick awarded.
17:04 Clearance by Jack Colback.
17:03 The ball is crossed by Morgan Amalfitano.
16:46 Jonas Olsson manages to make a clearance.
16:42 Emanuele Giaccherini crosses the ball in from the free kick.
16:07 Unfair challenge on Craig Gardner by James Morrison results in a free kick.
15:39 Clearance by Jonas Olsson.
15:38 Adam Johnson delivers the ball.
15:06 Emanuele Giaccherini produces a cross.
14:56 Clearance by Youssouf Mulumbu.
14:55 Emanuele Giaccherini sends in a cross.
14:51 Clearance by Gareth McAuley.
14:49 Corner from the left by-line taken by Emanuele Giaccherini.
14:31 Billy Jones makes a clearance.
14:14 Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Emanuele Giaccherini. Liam Ridgewell gets a block in.
13:11 Unfair challenge on Fabio Borini by Gareth McAuley results in a free kick.
12:39 Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.
12:30 Steven Fletcher takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Billy Jones.
11:27 The ball is swung over by Emanuele Giaccherini.
10:10 Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.
10:01 Free kick taken by Modibo Diakite.
9:33 The referee blows for offside.
6:52 Modibo Diakite makes a clearance.
6:49 Free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.
6:18 Fabio Borini challenges Gareth McAuley unfairly and gives away a free kick.
6:16 The ball is delivered by Fabio Borini.
6:15 Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.
6:01 Clearance made by Billy Jones.
4:56 Clearance by Gareth McAuley.
4:52 Clearance by Jonas Olsson.
4:47 Keiren Westwood takes the free kick.
4:05 The offside flag is raised against Morgan Amalfitano.
3:58 Adam Johnson manages to make a clearance.
3:54 Corner from the left by-line taken by Morgan Amalfitano.
3:35 Clearance made by Sung-Yeung Ki.
3:35 Corner taken by Morgan Amalfitano from the left by-line.
3:13 Ondrej Celustka makes a clearance.
3:10 Nicolas Anelka crosses the ball.
1:28 Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.
0:59 Clearance made by Billy Jones.
0:56 Ondrej Celustka crosses the ball.
0:00 The game begins.
1626: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
A big chance for Sunderland, and a big shout for a penalty. Jack Colback cuts the ball back to Jozy Altidore on the Baggies penalty spot, but his shot is deflected wide, off Jonas Olsson's arm.
Altidore is convinced he should have had spot-kick but referee Phil Dowd says no. I wonder what Paolo di Canio is thinking?
1620: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
Sunderland have made another attacking change, with Jozy Altidore on for Fabio Borini, but it is West Brom who are looking more dangerous. Morgan Amalfitano got to the by-line before firing in a dangerous cross that somehow eluded all his team-mates, then Stephane Sessegnon let fly from the edge of the box with an angled shot that rasped just over the bar.
The Black Cats' best recent effort has again come from the boot of Craig Gardner, but he saw his dipping 25-yard shot swerve away from - rather than towards - Boaz Myhill's goal.
1610: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
Unsurprisingly, Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio made a change at the break - bringing on Greek midfielder Charalampos Mavrias for the largely ineffective Emanuele Giaccherini.
The Black Cats have come out fighting at the start of the second half, and have dominated proceedings but other than a series of set-pieces - the best of which was a driven Craig Gardner free-kick that was deflected wide - they have not threatened.
West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
"Paulo Di Canio was highly critical of Stephane Sessegnon when he left the club and he may be ruing that now after he opened the scoring. He was barely involved in the first half but he did what he needed to and that was sweep the ball home for West Brom's first home goal of the season."
1633: West Brom 2-0 Sunderland - Liam Ridgewell
Things have just got even worse for Paolo di Canio. Within minutes of going down to 10 men, his side are now 2-0 down. Morgan Amalfitano's cross found Liam Ridgewell arriving late at the far post and Kieren Westwood could not keep out his shot. Game over? It looks that way.
1633: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
Oh dear. This really is not Sunderland manager Paolo di Canio's day. He had already seen his former player Stephane Sessegnon score for West Brom, and now this:
Not only does Steven Fletcher miss a golden chance to level for the Black Cats when he volleys over from 10 yards out, the Scot falls awkwardly and appears to have dislocated his shoulder. He is in pain, and cannot continue and Di Canio had just made his third change of the game - his side are down to 10 men.
1629: SUBSTITUTION - West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
West Brom have been quiet up front for a while but Nicolas Anelka has just seen a golden chance to double his side's lead go astray. He got on the end of a gorgeous cross from the right but fluffed his header, which hit Sunderland defender Ondrej Celustka and flew wide.
That was Anelka's last action of the afternoon - he and Scott Sinclair are off, replaced by Claudio Yakob and Victor Anichebe
Sunderland have made a change too. Lee Cattermole, out of favour with Paolo di Canio until recently, is on for Craig Gardner to make his first appearance of the season.
1650: GOAL - West Brom 3-0 Sunderland - Morgan Amalfitano (90 mins) Morgan Amalfitano had a hand in West Brom's first two goals and he has just capped his side's first league win of the season with a deserved strike of his own. Victor Anichebe fed the Frenchman on the right of the area and his stinging shot fizzed past Kieren Westwood and into the opposite corner of the net.
1649: West Brom 2-0 Sunderland
James Morrison almost adds insult to injury for Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio, heading over from six yards out after making a darting run into the box.
Stephane Sessegnon will not be adding to his tally, though. West Brom's former Black Cats striker is replaced by Saido Berahino, and receives an ovation from both sets of fans for his performance on his debut.
1641: West Brom 2-0 Sunderland
Uh-oh, Sunderland are in more trouble here. Ki Sung-Yong has been on the floor and receiving treatment for a few minutes now. The Black Cats are already down to 10 men after Steven Fletcher was injured after they had used all three substitutes.
Ki is going to try to carry on - he has no choice but to limp through the last few minutes.
1638: West Brom 2-0 Sunderland
Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio could only gaze skywards after seeing his side go 2-0 down. Perhaps he was asking 'why me?' He has been unlucky today but the Baggies fans are not being too sympathetic to his plight - they are singing "you're getting sacked in the morning" at him.
90:00 +5:36 Full time
Full Time
The game is over, as the referee blows the whistle. 90:00 +4:50 Jozy Altidore concedes a free kick for a foul on Youssouf Mulumbu. 90:00 +4:45 Clearance made by Modibo Diakite. 90:00 +4:42 Morgan Amalfitano produces a cross. 90:00 +2:30 Assist on the goal came from Victor Anichebe. 90:00 +2:30 Goal scored
Goal! - Morgan Amalfitano - West Brom 3 - 0 Sunderland
Morgan Amalfitano slots the ball right footed into the goal. West Brom 3-0 Sunderland. 89:44 Billy Jones manages to make a clearance. 89:15 The ball is crossed by Jack Colback. 88:41 Substitution
Substitution
Saido Berahino is brought on as a substitute for Stephane Sessegnon. 87:52 Header by James Morrison misses to the right of the target. 87:49 Centre by Liam Ridgewell. 87:15 Modibo Diakite manages to make a clearance. 85:30 John O'Shea makes a clearance. 85:28 The ball is swung over by Stephane Sessegnon. 85:10 Billy Jones manages to make a clearance. 84:57 Modibo Diakite takes the free kick. 84:51 Victor Anichebe gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John O'Shea. 83:27 Ondrej Celustka manages to make a clearance. 83:15 Clearance by Gareth McAuley. 83:05 Clearance by Billy Jones.
79:51 Clearance by Liam Ridgewell. 78:45 Clearance made by Jonas Olsson. 78:43 Clearance made by Jonas Olsson. 78:42 The ball is sent over by Adam Johnson. 78:38 Gareth McAuley makes a clearance. 78:36 Centre by Ondrej Celustka. 78:04 The ball is sent over by Liam Ridgewell. 75:20 Goal scored
Goal! - Liam Ridgewell - West Brom 2 - 0 Sunderland
Liam Ridgewell scores with their left foot. West Brom 2-0 Sunderland. 75:16 The ball is swung over by Morgan Amalfitano. 74:09 Clearance made by Jack Colback. 71:14 Shot by Steven Fletcher went over the crossbar. 71:12 Adam Johnson delivers the ball. 70:50 Modibo Diakite takes the free kick. 70:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Modibo Diakite by Victor Anichebe. 70:12 Clearance made by Modibo Diakite. 70:02 Billy Jones manages to make a clearance. 69:39 Clearance by Gareth McAuley. 69:12 Lee Cattermole manages to make a clearance. 69:10 The ball is crossed by Billy Jones. 68:53 Substitution
Substitution
Lee Cattermole on for Craig Gardner. 68:31 Substitution
Substitution
Claudio Yacob joins the action as a substitute, replacing Scott Sinclair. 68:18 Substitution
Substitution
(West Brom) makes a substitution, with Victor Anichebe coming on for Nicolas Anelka. 67:40 Clearance made by Steven Fletcher. 67:36 Corner taken by Morgan Amalfitano from the left by-line. 67:01 Header at goal by Nicolas Anelka to the left of the net. 66:58 Centre by Billy Jones. 66:17 Gareth McAuley makes a clearance. 66:01 Header by Scott Sinclair misses left. 65:59 Morgan Amalfitano delivers the ball. 65:21 Clearance by Liam Ridgewell. 65:20 Ondrej Celustka delivers the ball. 64:47 Corner from the right by-line taken by Adam Johnson. 64:26 Jozy Altidore takes a shot. Blocked by Gareth McAuley. 64:24 Jack Colback delivers the ball. 63:58 Clearance by Gareth McAuley. 63:07 Handball by Jozy Altidore. 62:52 Clearance by Gareth McAuley. 62:15 The ball is crossed by Adam Johnson. 62:02 Modibo Diakite restarts play with the free kick. 61:56 Unfair challenge on Modibo Diakite by Nicolas Anelka results in a free kick. 61:16 Shot by Craig Gardner went wide of the right-hand post. 60:26 Clearance by Liam Ridgewell. 59:50 Stephane Sessegnon has an effort at goal and missed to the right of the net. 59:17 Clearance by Adam Johnson. 59:12 Morgan Amalfitano delivers the ball. 58:54 Jack Colback makes a clearance. 58:52 Morgan Amalfitano delivers the ball. 58:36 Substitution
Substitution
Jozy Altidore replaces Fabio Borini. 55:47 Clearance made by John O'Shea. 55:42 Free kick taken by Boaz Myhill. 55:07 Fabio Borini gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gareth McAuley. 54:20 Gareth McAuley makes a clearance. 53:05 A cross is delivered by Charis Mavrias. 52:02 Craig Gardner takes the free kick. 51:51 Jonas Olsson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Fletcher. 51:46 Modibo Diakite makes a clearance. 51:41 Free kick taken by Boaz Myhill. 50:59 Foul by Ondrej Celustka on Boaz Myhill, free kick awarded. 50:55 Corner taken by Adam Johnson from the right by-line. 50:38 Billy Jones manages to make a clearance. 50:36 Free kick crossed by Craig Gardner. 49:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Morgan Amalfitano on Charis Mavrias. 49:43 Clearance by James Morrison. 49:40 Corner from the left by-line taken by Charis Mavrias. 49:22 Clearance by Youssouf Mulumbu. 49:19 Corner taken by Charis Mavrias. 49:03 Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance. 49:02 A cross is delivered by Jack Colback. 45:01 The match restarts for the second half. 45:01 Substitution
Substitution Charis Mavrias comes on in place of Emanuele Giaccherini.
They've got rubbish in their brains! Di Canio blasts Sunderland players following bizarre stand-off with fans after West Brom defeat
Paolo Di Canio accused his Sunderland players of having 'rubbish in their brains' after they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at West Brom on Saturday.
The fiery Italian had a bizarre stand-off with the travelling fans after the final whistle, staring at them when some supporters made abusive gestures.
Sunderland remain bottom of the Premier League without a win this season as Di Canio admitted he could face the sack from the struggling side.
'It is my responsibility to receive their negative energy,' he said, somewhat improbably. 'It was a bad day for everybody. I wanted to show them I will never give up. We have to keep together. I still believe in myself. I will never change.
'The players need to release the rubbish from their brains. They have to have more confrontation, more anger with each other.
'They need to look into each other's eyes. They lost their belief after 20 minutes. They turned their faces away. They must try to discover their mentality.
'One result could be good medicine. One win and everything will become clear. As an honest, intelligent person, I know we have to quickly get out of this situation. Someone in 10th position can get sacked, but I am not worried about my job. But I am worried about the results.
'You will have to ask the board about me. They will of course ask why we are bottom of the table and think about their decisions. If we continue to lose, lose, lose, there will be consequences.'
To make matters worse, Sunderland were undone in part thanks to their former player Stephane Sessegnon who scored the opener for the Baggies.
Liam Ridgewell’s second goal and man-of-the match Morgan Amalfatino’s late third only prolonged the agony for the Italian as home fans jubilantly chanted ‘Thank you Di Canio’ and ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’.
Di Canio jeered by Sunderland fans after dismal Baggies defeat... and then admits he faces race to beat the sack
Paolo Di Canio was jeered by a section of Sunderland fans after the 3-0 defeat at West Brom kept them bottom of the Premier League and still without a win this season - and he admitted he could get the sack if the dismal form continues.
‘For any manager, if we continue to lose, lose, lose, there are natural consequences,’ he said. ‘It’s obvious it was a bad day.’
Di Canio walked over to applaud the travelling support after the final whistle and stayed staring at them when some fans responded with abusive gestures. A bizarre stand-off ensued for several minutes, with Di Canio pointing to his head as if to say “give me all your anger”.
He said: ‘It was negative but they [the fans] are absolutely right. I wanted to show them I never give up. I believe in my regime. The fans boo and insult and that is part of football. I would have been furious as well.’
With fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United to come - and striker Steven Fletcher suffering a shoulder injury that is likely to keep him out for several weeks - Di Canio will hope owner Ellis Short gives him more time.
‘It’s normal [for him] to think about what’s going on,’ said Di Canio. ‘We need that win quick.’
Struggling Sunderland line up Roberto Di Matteo if results don’t improve
Paolo Di Canio has just two games to save his job, with Roberto Di Matteo waiting in the wings to take over at Sunderland, it is claimed.
The Black Cats are rooted to the foot of the Premier League table with just one point from five matches following yesterday’s 3-0 defeat at West Brom.
The manner of the loss will be a worry for the travelling fans, who saw key man Steven Fletcher come off injured with 15 minutes remaining, and Sunderland struggling on with ten men having used all their substitutes.
Now Di Canio appears to be under pressure, with Black Cats chairman Ellis Short determined the club will not be relegated to the Championship.
Speculation today suggests he has former Chelsea and West Brom boss Di Matteo lined up to replace Di Canio should the team’s form not turnaround imminently.
Di Matteo, 43, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in November 2012.
It is believed Di Canio, who is without a win since March, may only have two matches to save his job. However, the bad news for the Italian is those two fixtures are against Liverpool and Manchester United.
He said after defeat at The Hawthorns: ‘I am the person responsible. I want to show them I am never going to give up. I believe in what I’m doing.’
West Bromwich Albion 3 Sunderland 0 match report: Sunderland patience with Paolo Di Canio is running out
The Calvin report: Embattled manager admits that if his team 'lose, lose lose, there will be consequences'
The pin is being prised loose from the human grenade. Paolo Di Canio refused to countenance change despite a calamitous Sunderland performance against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns yesterday.
To make matters worse, his side were embarrassed by the former Sunderland player Stéphane Sessègnon, who can look upon himself as the refugee from a regime on the cusp of chaos.
Sessègnon's goal, which marked his debut and set his new employers on their way to a 3-0 success, helped to extend his former club's sequence without a win – which began with a 6-1 thrashing at Villa Park last April – to nine games. Di Canio's bizarre mime of contrition to the few away fans remaining at the final whistle convinced no one.
He spent fully three minutes standing 30 yards from supporters with his hands plunged deep into his trouser pockets. He shook his head sadly, patted himself forlornly on the chest and made some "chin-up" gestures. Perhaps wisely, he ignored entreaties to conduct an immediate inquest in the cheap seats behind the goal.
"It is my responsibility to receive their negative energy," he said, somewhat improbably. "It was a bad day for everybody. I wanted to show them I will never give up. We have to keep together. I still believe in myself. I will never change.
"The players need to release the rubbish from their brains. They have to have more confrontation, more anger with each other.
"They need to look into each other's eyes. They lost their belief after 20 minutes. They turned their faces away. They must try to discover their mentality.
"One result could be good medicine. One win and everything will become clear. As an honest, intelligent person, I know we have to quickly get out of this situation. Someone in 10th position can get sacked, but I am not worried about my job. But I am worried about the results.
"You will have to ask the board about me. They will of course ask why we are bottom of the table and think about their decisions. If we continue to lose, lose, lose, there will be consequences."
Albion, a side who would struggle to score against the proverbial team of dustbins, converted three goals with telling ease. To the surprise of only the terminally naïve, Di Canio's high-profile failure is beginning to look like a self-fulfilling prophesy. His insistence that he does not fear unemployment may quickly become a moot point.
Liverpool are due at the Stadium of Light next Sunday. They will be followed by Manchester United, whose manager David Moyes must have enjoyed the most comforting of scouting trips to the Black Country yesterday. A difficult game at Swansea will set up a Tyne-Tees derby of rare significance.
Sunderland's owner, Ellis Short, has a vested interest in bowing to Di Canio's insistence that his new-look side cannot be judged until at least halfway through the season. However, the patience of foreign benefactors in the Premier League is notoriously fragile.
Di Canio has brought so much on himself. Such eccentricities as the apparently arbitrary banning of ketchup are survivable when a team is winning or at least giving the impression of coherence. The chances of Sunderland doing either before long are remote.
Like all those with a perceived power complex and an unhealthy sense of self-esteem, Di Canio is already speaking of himself in the third person. Having turned the training ground into a boot camp, he absolves himself from responsibility for the chaos he has generated.
He and his Italian lieutenants might have signed 14 new players but, in their eyes, it is the team's fault for not gelling immediately and effectively. The laws of human chemistry and the lessons of previous sporting experience are deemed worthless.
Di Canio added a new frisson of avoidable danger by insisting he had sacrificed Sessègnon, Sunderland's player of the year in 2011-2012, because he "didn't care" and was no longer capable of "giving his best". Fate was duly tempted and delivered a grievous blow. In the 20th minute, the predictable problem occurred. Scott Sinclair's diving header from Morgan Amalfitano's right-wing cross was parried into his path by goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.
Sessègnon's simple finish made Di Canio's life immeasurably more complicated. The Benin international, warmly welcomed by Sunderland fans, obeyed the tiresome conventions of the times by refusing to celebrate, but the Albion fans had no such respect.
They launched into a gleeful chorus of "thank you Di Canio" and the tone of a fraught afternoon was set. The cameras will continue to have a fatal fascination with the Italian. His body language is too expressive to resist. He even unwittingly emulated his compatriot Fabio Capello, the former England manager, by pushing his assistant Fabricio Piccareta across the dugout.
Steve Clarke, a contrasting, almost taciturn opposite number, was understandably delighted with Sessègnon, whose work permit came through in midweek. "He did what he was brought here to do," he said. "He's clever on the ball, an entertainer who has a goal in him."
Jack Colback, brutally exposed at right-back, and Ki Sung Yeung, who was nominally a holding midfield player, were both booked for manhandling Sessègnon. Amalfitano, Albion's other debutant, hit the crossbar and was involved in all three goals.
Di Canio's afternoon was summed up when Steven Fletcher was helped off with 20 minutes to go after damaging his right shoulder in the act of volleying over from the edge of the six-yard box under the challenge of Jonas Olsson. He had already used his three substitutes.
Inevitably, Albion quickly extended their lead. Amalfitano attracted two covering defenders, who failed to stop his out-swinging cross, before another error by Westwood led to the ball landing at the feet of Liam Ridgewell, who swept it past him from an angle.
Amalfitano, signed on a season's loan from Marseilles, capped an outstanding performance by drilling a third goal into the bottom corner in added time. For all Di Canio's desperate eloquence, the stampede of the Sunderland fans to the exits was a greater statement of intent. This is turning sour, fast.
Di Canio: I wanted to let Sunderland fans vent frustration
PAOLO Di Canio said he stood in front of Sunderland fans for minutes after the game at West Bromwich Albion in order to help them vent their frustrations.
Sunderland’s head coach sympathised with their anger following yesterday’s 3-0 defeat and says he is determined to turn the bottom-of-the-table club around and get those supporters smiling again.
“When we lost and because it’s obvious I’m the person most responsible, I have to accept that,” said the Italian, who has managed to pick up just one point from the first five Premier League games.
“We did very bad and we have to accept the consequences of that.
“And sometimes you can also help people push out their anger and feel better by doing something like standing there because it is obviously a very, very bad day for everybody.
“It’s a difficult moment for people to keep on believing, but I accept my responsibility and I keep going.”
After the 3-0 defeat to an Albion side who started the day in second-bottom spot, the Sunderland head coach identified fragile confidence as a problem but said the real challenge lay in getting a vastly-changed squad to gel.
“We played well for 20 minutes but then lost our way with the goal,” he noted.
“This has happened to me at West Ham, where confidence drains away after a setback.
“You need a win or two to change that, but, at the moment, the most pressing thing for us is to get understandings in the team.
“We have 14 new players from many different countries and communication is something we need to tackle.”
West Brom v Sunderland fan view: Are sorry Sunderland set for the drop?
Sunderland find themselves on the brink of implosion after just five games of the new Premier League season as Paolo Di Canio’s beleaguered squad find themselves with a solitary point to their name so far this term, following three straight defeats.
Over the course of the summer every pundit, journalist and just about anyone with an interest in football predicted a troubling season for the Black Cats. Sunderland fans however rallied in a staunch defence of their side and labelled the club’s ‘revolution’ a necessary evil on Wearside.
However we now sit at the foot of the Premier League with our tails between our legs having to endure the taunts of all those pundits, journalists and football fans, looking like a side that is destined for the drop. ‘We told you so’ indeed.
As I wrote on these very pages earlier in the week, this was a must-win game for Sunderland. Instead we allowed a routine victory for Steve Clarke’s men. As written in the stars, the win was masterminded by a spell binding performance from former Sunderland fan favourite Stephane Sessegnon, who not only proved a point to his former gaffer but rammed it well and truly down his throat with a huge grin on his face.
Saturday’s match was one of those games which forces you as a football fan to question your devoted relationship with your side. Having started the game brightly, Sunderland gave reason for belief that we may even be able to come away from The Hawthorns with a victory. Instead we ended up on the end of a 3-0 thrashing having shown very little. We even finished the game with ten men following what looks to be a troubling shoulder injury suffered by Steven Fletcher when Di Canio had already used all three substitutes. Quite simply Sunderland looked out-thought, out-fought and easily beaten by a side that we really should be posing more of a threat to.
Make no doubt about it, these truly are dangerous times for Sunderland, who could very well find themselves cut adrift at the bottom of the table sooner rather than later.
But hey, at least we have back-to-back home fixtures to address this poor run of form, right? WRONG. Next up for the Black Cats is Liverpool and Manchester United…
Questions have unsurprisingly been raised of Paolo Di Canio’s tenure at the club. Heck, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t doubting the Italian myself. The gaffer’s bizarre display of defiance on the field after the final whistle didn’t exactly inspire confidence, beckoning the travelling fans to keep their chins up.
We were then treated to further resistance from Di Canio in his post-match press conference but I’m afraid talk is becoming increasingly cheap when both the performance on the pitch and in turn the results are non-existent.
Results are what matter now, more so than ever, although if I’m being honest, I don’t know when we’ll get one.
Paolo Di Canio bemoaned lack of leaders after Sunderland's 3-0 loss to West Brom
Paolo Di Canio bemoaned a lack of leaders in his Sunderland side as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at West Brom.
Di Canio's side started brightly but were soon behind through a goal from former player Stephane Sessegnon, but Di Canio - who approached frustrated Sunderland supporters at the end of the game and gestured that they should keep their chins up - pinpointed the second-half injury to Steven Fletcher as the turning point.
"We dominated for 20 minutes," Di Canio told Sky Sports. "The first ball in our box results in a goal. A striker alone in front of my goalkeeper.
"Then we tried to come back and created two clear chances. Fletcher then got the injury, and that is the moment we sink."
The Italian did not concentrate on Sessegnon's goal, despite the fall-out surrounding the Benin international's long-protracted move away from the Stadium of Light this summer.
Paolo Di Canio addressed angry Sunderland fans following his side's three nil loss to West Brom.
"It's not hard," he said. "We decided to sell, he's just another player. It's a part of the game. You sell players and bring in players."
On Sunderland's poor start to the season, Di Canio highlighted a lack of 'nastiness' and desire from his players.
He added: "It's obvious that we're still not gelled together.
"We don't have many leaders in terms of desire. There's no desire to play with a premier style because it's difficult.
"We need to be more nasty."
Despite the Wearside club's difficult start, Di Canio remains unfazed over questions about his future.
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio believes his side let themselves down against West Brom.
He continued: "We had our chances. We missed our chances. We conceded two very silly goals. It's hard and it's tough, but as a strong man like I am, my head is always up.
"It depends on the players. I hope that they can keep going and gel together, and start scrapping. In this moment it's crucial to get some results."
Fletcher's second-half injury meant that Sunderland had to carry on in the second half with just 10 men, with the Scotsman worryingly stretchered off.
"Now we send him to the hospital for a proper check," said Di Canio. "There's a problem in his shoulder, so we'll see in the next few hours."
Di Canio accepts he may have a limited amount of time to turn around his side's poor start to the season - but is confident he will.
Di Canio approached frustrated Sunderland supporters at the end of the game and gestured that they should keep their chins up. He received a mixed reaction but appeared determined to show he could withstand any abuse.
The Italian feels that after a summer of hectic transfer activity he needs time for his influence to take effect.
"It is a natural process and it is difficult. We have made many changes, we have 14 new players from many countries.
"It is obvious one day if we keep going lose, lose, lose there will be a natural consequences, not only for Paolo di Canio.
"I don't think they will want to keep Paolo di Canio, they will probably want to change. But I don't think that now.
"Even if you see you are 10th in the table in this league someone can sack you because maybe they expect more.
"It is our job but I am not worried about that. I am worried about the result because obviously we want to deliver different results. I know it's difficult."
Sunday Supplement: Sunderland Are Going Down With Di Canio In Charge
Sam Wallace of The Independent, Neil Custis of The Sun and the Daily Mirror's Martin Litpon say Sunderland must fear for the future just five games into the season.
The 3-0 away defeat to West Brom was Sunderland's fourth of the season and saw for forward Stephane Sessegnon open the scoring.
Goals from Liam Ridgewell and Morgan Amalfitano secured the victory for West Brom, the third time Sunderland have conceded three goals this season so far.
Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League after five games with the one point they secured in a draw with Southampton keeping them within one win of fourth-bottom Fulham.
Speaking on Sky Sports Sunday Supplement, national journalists Wallace, Custis and Lipton said that the club's future is uncertain based on their performances so far this campaign and that it is based on the vast number of changes Sunderland made in the summer transfer window, both on the pitch and off it.
Sam Wallace said: "Sunderland have put all their chips on these three Italians (Paolo Di Canio, director of football Roberto Di Fanti and chief scout Valentino Angeloni) and it's not working.
"Cabral, who they made great fanfare of getting on a free transfer, I don't think he's played since the first day of the season.
"I think in the end, if they're going to get out of this it probably will be the British and Irish players, the ones who were there before they signed all these players that will probably get them out of it, but one point, I think they're going down."
Neil Custis agreed and pointed to Di Canio's apparent unpredictability as being a problem for the squad:
"The point is, they're awful, and if they stay with him (Di Canio) they're going down. If he was your boss would you be totally sure of what was going to happen from one day to the next? I wouldn't.
"There's a litany of things that suggest that this is not going to be a stable situation and that's what you need at Sunderland."
Martin Lipton warned of being too hasty over changing the manager too early though after it was reported in the wider press that Di Canio was to be given two-games to save his job.
Lipton said: "Having given Di Canio that much to spend and the opportunity to bring in 'his' players, if they discard him now, then what do you do? That's because the new manager would have to come in with a squad you've decided isn't good enough."
Di Canio sacked by Sunderland after just 13 games in charge following dismal start to Premier League campaign
Paolo Di Canio was sacked by Sunderland after an angry confrontation with some of his players proved the final straw for owner Ellis Short.
The fiery Italian called in his squad for a crisis meeting at the club’s Cleadon training ground following the 3-0 defeat at West Brom on Saturday.
But the summit quickly turned sour after Di Canio pointed the finger at a number of his players, blaming them for the club’s poor start to the season.
Some of the squad, however, are understood to have responded angrily at Di Canio’s dressing down, telling the Italian what they thought of him.
It is believed a clutch of players told the manager they did not like him and did not want to play for him.
Sportsmail understands details of the stand-off were quickly relayed back to owner Short, who then took the decision to axe the manager after just six months and 13 games in charge.
A players’ meeting has been called for Monday morning, where the squad will be informed of the decision to let him go.
Sunderland remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League without a win — and with fixtures against Manchester United and Liverpool on the horizon the task of climbing up the table will not be easier.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon and former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo will be contenders to replace Di Canio.
Sunderland have confirmed the sacking of Paolo Di Canio.
The Italian leaves the Stadium of Light after only 13 games in charge, but has been under pressure since the start of the season as Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League with no wins and just one point from their opening five games.
The defeat to West Brom on Saturday saw Sunderland fans vent their feelings towards Di Canio, with the manager going over to the away section of the ground to confront the supporters. Di Canio revealed he accepted the criticism aimed at him.
A statement from Sunderland's official website read: "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening.
"Kevin Ball will take charge of the squad ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game against Peterborough United and an announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."
Di Canio took charge of Sunderland towards the backend of last season, where he was tasked of keeping them in the Premier League. The highlight of his short reign came in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle at St James' Park.
The 45-year-old lasted less than six months at the Stadium of Light after agreeing to join the club on the March 31. Replacing Martin O'Neill at the helm, he faced a difficult beginning to his time on Wearside with Sunderland deep in a relegation battle with just eight games remaining.
Securing two wins and two draws during his first eight games in charge, the Black Cats were able to avoid demotion after Wigan failed to beat Arsenal at the Emirates
Premier League: Sunderland sack manager Paolo Di Canio
Sunderland have sacked manager Paolo Di Canio after less than six months following a miserable start to the season.
Defeat to West Brom at The Hawthorns on Saturday left the Wearsiders bottom of the Premier League with just one point from the opening five games.
The club confirmed on Sunday evening that they had "parted company" with Di Canio but it is understood that Saturday's 3-0 loss, which saw the Italian face up to angry fans at the whistle, forced Stadium of Light chiefs to act.
A club statement read: "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening.
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio believes his side let themselves down against West Brom.
"Kevin Ball will take charge of the squad ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game against Peterborough United and an announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."
The former Swindon boss had overseen just three victories since taking charge in late March.
Paolo Di Canio's turbulent reign as Sunderland manager is over after the Italian and the club parted company.
The 45-year-old's departure was confirmed by the Black Cats on Sunday, a little more than 24 hours after a 3-0 defeat at West Brom left them rooted to the foot of the Barclays Premier League table.
A statement said: "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening."
Former Sunderland captain Kevin Ball, currently on the club's coaching staff, steps in to lead the team on a short-term basis.
Sunderland's statement added: "Kevin Ball will take charge of the squad ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game against Peterborough United and an announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."
Di Canio arrived on Wearside amid a blaze of publicity in March as owner Ellis Short took a gamble on the former Swindon boss after deciding to end Martin O'Neill's tenure.
It proved a controversial appointment as critics cited reports of his alleged fascist sympathies, prompting the club to make a stout defence of their new manager.
However, it was never likely to be dull as Di Canio embarked upon what proved a colourful six months in charge.
Speaking when he was unveiled, he said: "I am the unique one. I am joking, actually I'm not. I am at the beginning of my career.
"One day we will discover that I am either a fantastic, good or normal manager."
On the pitch, he was handed the reins with just seven games of the 2012-13 season remaining and relegation a genuine possibility.
A 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in his first game was followed by a famous 3-0 derby victory at Newcastle in his second, and his knee-sliding celebrations at St James' Park earned him a place in Sunderland folklore with his tenure still in its infancy.
A 1-0 home win over Everton next time out persuaded many more of the doubters that he was the real deal, but it proved to be a false dawn.
Sunderland came down to earth with a painful bump when they headed for struggling Aston Villa on April 29 and returned on the wrong end of a 6-1 hammering, and they eventually secured their top-flight status, if only just, by finishing in 17th place.
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Anonymous2013-09-22 17:31
They haven't been playing well and he isn't exactly popular with the fans. But he needed time I reckon.
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Anonymous2013-09-22 17:33
This is ridiculous sacking a manager 5 games into the season having signed 14 players during the Summer, he should have been given until december
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Anonymous2013-09-22 17:35
got a unlucky decision in the Arsenal game and 10 men vs West Brom due to an injury.
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Anonymous2013-09-22 17:37
He's done nothing wrong, except be honest with his players and Boardroom staff... They..., the players and upper management, should look at themselves and be ashamed...I am not a Sunderland supporter, but i remember a few months ago, when they smacked Newcastle's backsides...
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Anonymous2013-09-22 17:39
Knew Ellis Short wouldn't be able to put up with him for long.
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Anonymous2013-09-22 17:40
DiCanio is a mug! Once I saw his disrespectful confrontation with the fans, I knew he would be sacked sooner rather than later.