Seven reasons Sunderland are a good bet to stay up.
Morale is strong after Paolo Di Canio’s departure and Gus Poyet looks just the man to tighten up the Black Cats rearguard.
Sunderland may be two points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League, but there’s still plenty of reasons for optimism at the Stadium of Light which make them worth backing at 18/25 to avoid being relegated at the end of the season.
Di Canio was axed before too much havoc was wrought
Although they’re staring up manager-less from the bottom of the division there are a healthy 32 games remaining in which to right the ship.
Better defensive organisation can stymie the flow of goals conceded
Sunderland have conceded important goals from set pieces against Fulham, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Liverpool so there’s at least one area of their malaise that can begin to be addressed instantly in training.
Gus Poyet is just the man to tighten up the backline
The Uruguayan, who is the hot-favourite to take over the reins at the Stadium of Light, was the architect of the Championship’s most miserly rearguard at Brighton last season.
There is plenty of togetherness in the team
The ousted Italian may have taken a sledgehammer to dressing room morale, but Sunderland played with plenty of desire against Liverpool, particularly in the second half when they mustered 23 shots.
Steven Fletcher is expected back in four matches
Fletcher started his career on Wearside with five goals in his first four Premier League games and a goal 19 minutes into his latest return from injury against Crystal Palace showed his predatory instincts will be a boon to his side’s chances when he’s back in contention.
There is creativity on both flanks
In Sebastian Larsson and Adam Johnson Sunderland’s next manager will be able to call upon plenty of ingenuity on the flanks.
Johnson has already laid on 14 scoring opportunities in six starts this term, while Larsson – a renowned dead-ball specialist – has played six key passes in four games.
Money has been no object for Black Cats gaffers in the past
Owner Ellis Short has been happy to plough money into the club during his period in charge parting with more than £30m during the course of 2012/13 and with staying in the Premier League a priority he’ll be sure to fund further recruitment in January if his manager deems it necessary.
Sunderland to stay up @ 18/25
Name:
Anonymous2013-10-01 14:24
I've always felt Gus Poyet would go to Fulham, and I wouldn't be surprised if he'd been tapped up by them to start this whole sorry business off, post-Reading.
Gus Poyet must be thinking the Sunderland move is not going to happen.
Be careful what you wish for! Gabbiadini warns old mate Ball over Sunderland job.
Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini has a blunt warning for caretaker boss and former team-mate Kevin Ball – take the job and you’ll only get fired.
Ball is currently attempting to reconstruct the wreckage from Paolo Di Canio’s radical reign on Wearside, which was brought to an end last week after just 13 matches.
The stand-in gaffer – currently in charge of the club’s academy - has wasted no time in declaring his desire to land the role on a permanent basis.
And there is a groundswell of support for Ball among the club’s followers, with former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Gus Poyet remaining the odds-on bookmakers’ favourite.
However, Gabbiadini – who played with Ball at Roker Park in the early 1990s – believes that elevation to the senior dugout only guarantees one thing – the sack.
'The fear is, as a mate, if he gets the job as manager then the one thing which is definite is that he will get sacked – so you run the risk of losing a great servant out of the club completely,' said Gabbiadini, speaking in his role as a BBC Newcastle pundit.
And the former striker, who plundered 74 league goals for Sunderland, also feels that, whoever takes charge, they will inherit problems from the previous regime.
'We've still got all of the same problems for the new man coming in which Paolo had to deal with,' he went on, Ball’s first Premier League outing having ended in a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.
'That is a squad still trying to integrate, young players coming in and players coming in with different languages.
'Bally has come in and done what a lot of people would do, stick with the tried and trusted and try to get them to grind out a result, but that hasn't worked either.
'People say that a caretaker manager always gets a lift, but it doesn't always work like that.
'I totally respect Bally for going in there but he would hardly have worked with any of these players.
'People I've spoken to perhaps think it's similar to Paolo in that, while his coaching experience is fantastic, he hasn't got that experience of leading a team at Premier League level.
'He's got the experience, the required piece of paper with the stamp on, that's not a problem.
'But what people are concerned about is whether he can do it at that level, stepping up from juniors to seniors.'
Sunderland host champions Manchester United on Saturday tea-time.
That continues a daunting run of fixtures which, following the international break, resumes with a trip to Swansea City before the visit of Newcastle United and a date with former boss Steve Bruce and Hull City.
Sunderland AFC's charity to benefit from Manchester United match
This weekend's Premier League match between Sunderland AFC (SAFC) and League champions Manchester United will benefit SAFC’s official charity, Foundation of Light.
The game, which takes place at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 5 October, has been designated Foundation Day to celebrate the work of the charity, based in the North East.
The match is expected to attract a worldwide audience. How the charity will benefit
The charity will benefit from the match in a number of ways:
During the game Sunderland’s players will wear shirts bearing the Foundation’s logo. These will then be signed and auctioned via Ebay.
Some of the Foundation’s beneficiaries will take part in a special parade around the Stadium of Light pitch before the game gets underway.
At half time activities on the pitch will showcase the charity's work.
At the match the charity will launch its new Friends of the Foundation scheme. This costs £10 to join and offers supporters automatic entry into regular prize draws to win signed SAFC items and match tickets, as well as discounts to selected Foundation of Light events and sports coaching courses.
Margaret Byrne, Sunderland AFC CEO, said: “Everyone at the football club is extremely proud of the work undertaken by the Foundation of Light and we are delighted to be able to give them the opportunity to showcase this valuable work to a worldwide audience at Saturday’s game.”
The Foundation of Light, which launched in 2001, is financially independent of the football club.
Paolo Di Canio broke us at Sunderland, says Carlos Cuellar
CARLOS CUELLAR says Paolo Di Canio “fractured” Sunderland during his 175-day reign
Cuellar, the first player to speak out about Di Canio’s bizarre style, insists things are much happier – despite defeat against Liverpool on Sunday – now that Kevin Ball is in charge temporarily.
Sunderland are rooted to the foot of the table, and the only side not to have registered a victory this season. But Cuellar is convinced they are on the right track without Di Canio.
Defender Cuellar, signed from Aston Villa on a free 18 months ago, said of life under the Italian: “The feeling that we were a family was being fractured with everything that was going on.
“I have never seen anything like it. But we have to move forward and get over one person. The badge is the most important thing, that and the history of the club. They are far more important than the history of a manager.
“Now we are pushing in the right direction. though.”
Spaniard Cuellar added: “We have to try to get that first victory in the league and we are in the right frame of mind to get it. The main difference we have seen under Kevin Ball is that we have seen more of the ball and there is happiness around the place. You could see a huge difference straight away.
“We know we can improve and stop the mistakes. But if you can hold your head up, that is important.
“We did that after the Liverpool setback. We played well in that game, and deserved to pick up a point. However, their quality up front won it for them.”
We have to move forward and get over one person
Carlos Cuellar
John O'Shea insists Sunderland need points, not plaudits
John O'Shea insists 'moral victories' are of no use to Sunderland as the Black Cats struggle to climb off the foot of the table
John O'Shea insists ‘moral victories’ are of no use to Sunderland as the Black Cats struggle to climb off the foot of the table.
Sunderland delivered a much-improved performance against Liverpool at the weekend in caretaker-boss Kevin Ball’s first league game in charge, but a 3-1 defeat – the Wearsiders’ fifth defeat in six matches this term – left them still winless and propping up the Premier League.
Skipper O’Shea says performances are all very well, but it is points Sunderland need to recover from their disastrous start. While they will be rank outsiders when they face his former club Manchester United on Saturday, O’Shea believes Sunderland are capable of springing a surprise against David Moyes’ men.
The Republic of Ireland international said: “The positives don’t count for anything.
“Believe me, anyone in the dressing room would rather play terrible and win the games 1-0.
“We have to get away from moral victories when we have done okay or done this and done that.
“We have to stand up and take responsibility, make sure we get clean sheets and go ahead in games.
“The players need to get this home crowd behind us and give them something to cheer about, rather than them having to get us going all the time.
“We did that in the second half against Liverpool, but we need to be doing that from the start.
“The sooner we get the win on the board the better, and why not against United?
“We are under no illusions it is going to be tough, but we have to start somewhere.”
Sunderland have yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season and have conceded three goals in each of their last four games.
Only once – in the 1-1 draw at Southampton – have they taken the lead.
O’Shea added: “We need to start getting our noses in front.
“We need to go back to doing the simple things, like keeping clean sheets. That is the only way to turn things round.”
Sunderland fave Rae: Give Alex McLeish the Sunderland job
ALEX McLeish should be the next boss of Sunderland, says former Black Cats’ favourite Alex Rae.
Rae believes his former manager at Glasgow Rangers would be the perfect choice to pick up the pieces from the Paolo Di Canio era.
And he insists the ex-Birmingham and Aston Villa manager is under-rated in this country, saying that any analysis of his record speaks for itself.
“I know Sunderland are taking their time over their next appointment and I think that’s only right,” Rae said.
“But I hope they are looking at Alex McLeish because for me he’s an outstanding manager who has a lot to offer and the great thing for Sunderland is that he’s available at the moment.”
The former Aberdeen stalwart and Scottish international made his managerial name as boss of Glasgow Rangers from 2001-06 where he won the league title twice, the Scottish Cup twice and the Scottish League Cup three times.
He left Ibrox to manage Scotland, where he recorded the biggest win percentage of any manager to lead the country for 10 games or more.
Then he moved on to Birmingham City in 2007 where in four years he won the club a promotion to the Premier League and also the League Cup trophy – the Blues beating Arsenal in the final in February 2011.
Birmingham’s relegation saw a controversial move to West Midlands rivals Aston Villa and though he kept the Villans in the top flight the 54-year-old was sacked after a poor run of results and uninspiring performances.
Rae said: “The whole Villa thing is a bit of a funny one – Big Alex kept them up at a time when they were downsizing like mad under Randy Lerner, offloading or trying to off-load the big earners, and his reward for that was the sack.
“Then Paul Lambert took over, managed the same thing the next season, and was hailed a hero!
“I think in that situation, Alex suffered from having been a successful manager of Birmingham previously.
“I know he had a relegation against him there but he also got them promoted and not many managers have managed to get Birmingham a major piece of silverware.
“Looking back, he managed Aston Villa in a very difficult situation with the finances but he was used to that at Glasgow Rangers – where I came across him as a player.
“People remember Martin O’Neill up in Scotland as one of the great Celtic managers but Big Alex won just as many trophies as him and while Martin was managing Celtic at a time when they were spending a lot of money, Alex was in charge of Rangers when they were forced to cut back after the Dick Advocaat era.
“Thankfully he got in some great bargains like Jean-Alain Boumsong and Dado Prso who brought in big profits and he gave them success on a relative shoestring.
“So I really rate him in just about every aspect of the job.
“He’s the hardest-working manager I’ve ever worked with and he’s a real man’s man who will get respect from the players.
“I think he’s just the sort of manager Sunderland need at the moment because I think they need someone British, someone no-nonsense and also someone who is very experienced.
“Given Sunderland’s situation, I think the last thing you need is someone who is still learning in many respects and who is inexperienced in the Premier League.”
Gus Poyet would fall into that category but the Uruguayan remains established as the bookies firm favourite to take over from the Italian.
Sunderland have yet to make their mind up over who will succeed Di Canio, with Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen mentioned in the running as well as Sunderland’s interim head coach Kevin Ball.
McLeish is currently rated as a 50-1 outsider by the bookies but has already made it clear in a radio interview shortly after Di Canio’s sacking that the Sunderland job would interest him.
And if Sunderland do decide to go for a safer pair of hands after the Di Canio era, McLeish would fit that bill.
Sunderland AFC's first and last venture into European football was 40 years ago when they took on Vasas Budapest in the Cup Winners’ Cup
It's been a predictably wretched start to the season for the region’s ‘big two’ football clubs.
For the ever-loyal fans of Newcastle United and Sunderland, it promises to be a long, hard, anxious season – for the umpteenth time.
If it’s been woeful for the Magpies, it’s been disastrous for the Black Cats who sit at the bottom of the Premier League with a solitary point to their name, and without a manager.
As ever at times like this, we cast our minds back to when things were much rosier in the garden.
And for Sunderland, no year in living memory was brighter than 1973.
Not only did they beat the mighty Leeds United in an incredible FA Cup final, they enjoyed - for the first and last time – the taste of competitive European football.
And while Newcastle have put to the sword the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona during the course of their 130 European games, Wearside has welcomed precious few continental footballing visitors. An examination of the soccer history books tells us why.
The fact that the long-suffering fans of Sunderland have witnessed only three top-half finishes in the top division over the last 60 years means they simply haven’t been in the position to qualify for Europe.
But 40 years ago tonight, thanks to that FA Cup triumph, European football arrived at Roker Park for the first time as Sunderland took on the Hungarian team Vasas Budapest in the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
Already 2-0 from the away leg, Sunderland were clear favourites to go thorough.
‘Tueart Rams Home Lesson’ was the headline in the following night’s Chronicle, as our reporter wrote: “Dennis Tueart, flitting through last night’s heavy, swirling drizzle which shrouded Roker Park, rammed home a penalty against Budapest as Sunderland’s first tentative step into Europe became a positive stride.”
Newcastle-born Tueart was a fine winger who would later go on to play for Manchester City and England, and on this night he caused havoc running at the Hungarian defence.
Having had one goal disallowed, his 57th minute penalty put the tie beyond doubt.
Our reporter continued: “On the night the Hungarians were not hungry enough for goals and the only disappointment was the gate of 22,762 which, even allowing for the bad weather, was clear proof the prices were too high.”
Indeed, the Chronicle talked about “the club’s controversial decision to double the prices for the game - £2 for seats and £1 for standing”.
One fan told us: “I was really sad that only 22,000 fans turned up. It was a great pity.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Bob Stokoe appeared to have little appetite for the competition when he told the Chronicle “the club has made a rod for its own back by getting into Europe” as it brought about a-pile up in domestic fixtures.
In the event, their European adventure would be short-lived. A fine 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon at Roker Park was cancelled out by a 2-0 defeat in the away leg.
And that was that. To date, it is Sunderland’s last foray into Europe.
Fast forward 40 years, and it’s sadly evident that football fans on Wearside – and Tyneside – will not be needing their passports any time soon.
Sunderland prepared to let midfielder Cabral join Blackpool on loan
Sunderland midfielder Cabral may be leaving the Black Cats just three months after joining the club from Basle.
Championship high-flyers Blackpool are monitoring the 24-year-old, who has failed to make an impact on Wearside since leaving Switzerland in July.
Cabral has Champions League experience with Basle but failed to break into the Sunderland side under previous manager Paolo Di Canio and has not featured under interim boss Kevin Ball.
Blackpool, managed by Paul Ince, set a torrid pace at the start of the season when they rocketed to the top of the table.
But injuries have hit since then and they have dropped down to sixth – picking up just three points from the last four matches.
Cabral is a box-to-box midfielder and Ince hopes Sunderland will be keen to allow the player they signed as a free agent go out on loan in an effort to find his best form.
There's hope Sunderland can beat Manchester United, says David Jones
Some would have it that Saturday's script is already written: Manchester United don't lose three league games on the trot; they never lose against Sunderland (22 games unbeaten and counting); and Wayne Rooney will be their returning hero.
What about their opposition?
Sunderland are the only team in the Premier League without a win; their suffering fans have seen them win just twice at home in 2013; they've conceded three goals in each of their last four games; and still they're without a permanent manager.
But who would have thought West Brom would emerge victorious from Old Trafford last weekend?
Who would have thought that when United equalised they wouldn't storm towards triumph as they always used to do under Sir Alex Ferguson?
Who would have thought that seven years ago a Sunderland team vastly inferior to this one and already relegated - with a little known caretaker Kevin Ball in charge - would go to Old Trafford to face a Manchester United side chasing the title and keep a clean sheet?
Certainly not this spectator viewing from the stands.
Seven years on, Sunderland are propping up the Premier League once again but one of the most bizarre stats of the season so far tells us they've had as many attempts on goal as the leaders Arsenal.
So what if one of those speculative Adam Johnson efforts nestled in the top corner? Or a Seb Larsson free kick crashed in off the bar? Or if Jozy Altidore started to prove he really can hack it in the Premier League?
And what if Kieran Westwood had the game of his life? John O'Shea, inspired against his former club, snuffed out the threat of Rooney and Robin Van Persie?
And what if United had another off day?
Stranger things have happened... haven't they?
David Jones hosts coverage of the Saturday Night Football clash between Sunderland and Manchester United from 5pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 1
Rooney will be ready for Sunderland clash, reveals Moyes
The 27-year-old was ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League draw in Ukraine with a shin injury but his manager believes he will be ready to face the Black Cats
Manchester United boss David Moyes expects Wayne Rooney to be available for Saturday’s game against Sunderland despite missing their Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
Rooney suffered a shin injury after clashing with team-mate Danny Welbeck in training and was unable to feature in the 1-1 draw at the DonBass Arena.
However, Moyes insists the England striker will be back in time for Saturday’s clash at the Stadium of Light.
"My plan wasn’t to use Wayne Rooney," the 50-year-old told reporters. "He picked up a crack on the shin and its swollen up. He was going to be on the bench but he has not been able to make it.
"I think he will be okay for Saturday. We could have risked him but we decided not to."
United’s 1-1 draw means they remain unbeaten in Group A after two games, yet Moyes suggests an air of disappointment lingers within the dressing room after the Red Devils went ahead in the first half and looked close to holding on for victory.
"We had to be harder to play against than we have in recent games and we were," the United manager continued.
"I’m beginning to understand the players a bit better. They were aware of how tough a game it was going to be and I thought we defended very well.
"There’s a bit of disappointment that we didn’t see the game out but I felt Shakhtar deserved something from the game."
Dundee United accept Sunderland’s Souttar bid - now defender faces big decision
DUNDEE United boss Jackie McNamara has confirmed that the Scottish club have accepted Sunderland’s bid for hot prospect John Souttar.
The Echo reported earlier this week that Souttar was mulling over Sunderland’s offer of personal terms after the Tannadice club accepted an improved bid from the Black Cats of around £600,000, with a hefty sell-on clause.
Souttar was at the Stadium of Light for last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool and has toured the facilities at the Academy of Light, although he still has the option to reject Sunderland’s advances.
The centre-half has been scouted by several of the Premier League’s heavyweights since breaking into Dundee United’s first-team in January, but Sunderland are in pole position after becoming the first club to make a concrete offer.
McNamara admits Souttar is contemplating his options, although he has urged him to remain north of the border after making 14 first-team appearances already, despite just turning 17.
“The latest is that he is still a Dundee United player,” said McNamara.
“The club accepted another bid from Sunderland and he went down to see the facilities.
“I think it is important now that we have that dialogue with John. If that is what he chooses to do (join Sunderland) then we will never stand in anybody’s way.
“But if you are asking my opinion then I think he would be best to stay here for the next couple of years and get a few games under his belt.
“It will be his decision. He has just turned 17, it is all about his development. He is part of our first team squad at such a young age and it would be good for him to play 100 or 200 games first and get that experience.”
McNamara added that Souttar is likely to play against Kilmarnock on Saturday, despite the uncertainty over his future.
“If anything I think it will give him extra confidence,” he added.
“He’s quite a level-headed young lad and he has a good family behind him. He won’t be fazed by anything.”
Premier League - Match facts: Sunderland v Manchester United
Facts and figures ahead of the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have won just eight points from a possible 72 in their 24 previous matches versus Man Utd in the Barclays Premier League.
Manchester United have conceded only four goals in their last 13 Barclays Premier League games against Sunderland.
Sunderland have conceded seven goals (half of their total conceded) in the final 15 minutes of Premier League matches this season – a league-high.
Wayne Rooney has scored only four goals from a direct free kick in Premier League history – three of those have come in his last three appearances in the competition.
Sunderland have lost four consecutive Premier League games, the last time they lost five on the bounce was in March 2006 (six games in a row).
Sunderland have picked up just three points in their last 10 Premier League games (D3 L7).
The Black Cats have scored only eight goals in their last 11 Premier League matches and never more than once in a single game during this run.
Manchester United have lost three of their opening six league games for the first time since 1989/90. United also lost their seventh game in that season.
David Moyes has only lost one of his 16 Premier League meetings with Sunderland (W11 D4), but this defeat came last season at the Stadium of Light with Everton.
Manchester United have lost two consecutive Premier League games. They last lost three league games in a row in December 2001.
Name:
Chelsea Charms2013-10-03 15:34
Well there's one team on the ropes, playing terrible football and looking demoralised and adrift since the loss of their beloved manager..........and there's Sunderland!
Hahahaha!!!
1654: Chief football writer Phil McNulty at Stadium of LightSunderland v Man Utd (1730 BST)
"Manchester United manager David Moyes will be grateful to have Wayne Rooney back in his line-up after injury ruled him out of the midweek Champions League draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Those successive Premier League defeats to Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion place even more emphasis on today's visit to Sunderland - but Moyes will face an opposite number in Kevin Ball who will be keen to make his pitch to succeed sacked Paolo Di Canio as manager."
1653: LINE-UPS - Sunderland v Man Utd (1730 BST)
Sunderland: Westwood, Celustka, O'Shea, Roberge, Colback, Cattermole, Ki, Johnson, Gardner, Giaccherini, Altidore. Subs: Cabral, Larsson, Wickham, Cuellar, Mannone, Ji, Borini.
Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Jones, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Rooney, Januzaj, van Persie. Subs: Giggs, Smalling, Lindegaard, Hernandez, Welbeck, Valencia, Kagawa.
1714: VIEW FROM THE TOP - Sunderland v Man Utd (1730 BST)
Sunderland
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short has spoken for the first time since sacking Paolo Di Canio as head coach. The Black Cats head into today's game against Manchester United with Kevin Ball still in charge on a temporary basis.
Writing in his programme notes, Short said: "Unfortunately sometimes the quest for stability can be interrupted by the absolute necessity of staying in the league. This is because the long-term aim becomes irrelevant if we aren't at the top level. We now have a very important decision to make. Our only consideration in making that decision is what is best for the club.
"The appointment of a replacement head coach is our priority and I urge you to ignore the speculation in the media about the selection process, because most of it is completely wrong."
1711: Sunderland v Man Utd (1730 BST)
Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley could be set for a tough afternoon in that Manchester United midfield, as David Moyes names such an attacking line-up. The two of them are likely to be up against Lee Cattermole, Craig Gardner and Ki sung-Yueng in the middle. Do I hear yellow cards?
Half Time First Half ends, Sunderland 1, Manchester United 0.
45:00 +0:09
Rafael (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +0:09
Foul by Adam Johnson (Sunderland).
44:18
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by John O'Shea.
43:23
Attempt missed. Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Adam Johnson.
43:20
Attempt blocked. Adam Johnson (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jozy Altidore.
41:02 Booking
Booking Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
40:54
Foul by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
40:54
Craig Gardner (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:08
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Keiren Westwood.
40:06
Attempt saved. Nani (Manchester United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Rafael.
38:46
Hand ball by Patrice Evra (Manchester United).
38:38
Attempt blocked. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Cleverley.
34:52
Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
34:52
Foul by Lee Cattermole (Sunderland).
33:50
Offside, Sunderland. Adam Johnson tries a through ball, but Emanuele Giaccherini is caught offside.
33:24
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by David De Gea.
33:21
Attempt saved. Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Johnson with a cross.
32:15
Foul by Phil Jones (Manchester United).
32:15
Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
30:08
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
30:08
Foul by Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland).
28:18
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Valentin Roberge.
26:21
Foul by Nani (Manchester United).
26:21
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
22:47
Attempt saved. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Michael Carrick.
22:34
Nani (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
22:34
Foul by Lee Cattermole (Sunderland).
20:07
Attempt missed. Nani (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Patrice Evra with a cross.
19:07
Attempt blocked. Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
18:07
Foul by Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).
18:07
Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
16:58
Attempt missed. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Michael Carrick.
14:37
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
14:37
Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland).
13:48
Offside, Manchester United. Adnan Januzaj tries a through ball, but Patrice Evra is caught offside.
12:06
Foul by Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United).
12:06
Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11:57
Attempt blocked. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
11:22
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Valentin Roberge.
6:41
Attempt missed. Nani (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Michael Carrick.
4:18 Goal scored
Goal! Goal! Sunderland 1, Manchester United 0. Craig Gardner (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
2:48
Foul by Robin van Persie (Manchester United).
2:48
Ondrej Celustka (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
0:00
Full Time Second Half ends, Sunderland 1, Manchester United 2.
90:00 +4:22
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90:00 +4:22
Foul by Valentin Roberge (Sunderland).
90:00 +3:47
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Patrice Evra.
90:00 +3:25
Attempt blocked. Ji Dong-Won (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
90:00 +3:00
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Chris Smalling.
90:00 +1:49
Foul by Chris Smalling (Manchester United).
90:00 +1:49
Connor Wickham (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90:00 +0:43
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90:00 +0:43
Foul by Jack Colback (Sunderland).
89:55
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89:55
Foul by Connor Wickham (Sunderland).
89:35
Foul by Chris Smalling (Manchester United).
89:35
Valentin Roberge (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88:10
Attempt missed. Robin van Persie (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Antonio Valencia with a through ball.
85:08 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Manchester United. Chris Smalling replaces Rafael because of an injury.
82:09
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Phil Jones.
80:53
Attempt saved. Rafael (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Cleverley.
80:11 Booking
Booking John O'Shea (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
80:06
Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
80:06
Foul by John O'Shea (Sunderland).
77:31 Booking
Booking Rafael (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
77:04
Foul by Rafael (Manchester United).
77:04
Jack Colback (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76:07 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Manchester United. Antonio Valencia replaces Adnan Januzaj.
76:03 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Manchester United. Danny Welbeck replaces Nani.
73:32 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Sunderland. Connor Wickham replaces Ki Sung-Yueng.
73:06
Attempt missed. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Rafael.
69:44 Booking
Booking Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
69:26
Foul by Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).
69:26
Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:10
Phil Jones (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:10
Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland).
65:37
Offside, Manchester United. Robin van Persie tries a through ball, but Nani is caught offside.
65:03
Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
65:03
Foul by Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland).
63:07 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Sunderland. Ji Dong-Won replaces Adam Johnson.
60:48 Goal scored
Goal! Goal! Sunderland 1, Manchester United 2. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner.
59:42
Offside, Manchester United. Adnan Januzaj tries a through ball, but Robin van Persie is caught offside.
57:40
Attempt saved. Robin van Persie (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Patrice Evra with a cross.
55:49
Robin van Persie (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
55:49
Foul by John O'Shea (Sunderland).
55:34 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Sunderland. Sebastian Larsson replaces Craig Gardner because of an injury.
54:49
Phil Jones (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
54:49
Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland).
54:04 Goal scored
Goal! Goal! Sunderland 1, Manchester United 1. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrice Evra with a cross.
52:40 Booking
Booking Craig Gardner (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.
52:24
Hand ball by Craig Gardner (Sunderland).
48:39
Foul by Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).
48:39
Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
47:49 Booking
Booking Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
47:46
Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) has gone down, but that's a dive.
45:30
Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
45:30
Foul by Lee Cattermole (Sunderland).
45:00
Second Half begins Sunderland 1, Manchester United 0.
Stadium of Light's neighbours consulted over match-days.
People living near Sunderland football club's ground are to be consulted on match-day and event parking.
Sunderland City Council said residents had been concerned parking restrictions were out of date and inappropriate.
A spokesman said regulations around the Stadium of Light caused "unnecessary inconvenience for residents unable to park outside their own houses".
Emergency services, transport providers and businesses will also be sent letters and asked for their views.
Proposals include removing single yellow lines and signs and introducing a parking permit system during events.
It is suggested households or businesses would have one free parking permit but pay a "small annual charge" for a second.
Council leader Paul Watson said: "We will only go ahead with these proposals, in full, if more than half of the residents let us know through this consultation that they support them.
"So I would encourage everyone to have their say and let us know what they think."
Aston Villa U21 v Sunderland U21 Development squad set for Villa clash
Youngsters look to return to the top of Barclays U21 Premier League.
Sunderland’s development squad will look to return to the top of the Barclays U21 Premier League when they travel to Aston Villa this evening.
Kevin Ball’s under-21 side will play the Villans at Tamworth FC’s Lamb Ground with Andrea Dossena and Connor Wickham both in the squad.
The young Black Cats have won five and lost one of their opening six games whilst Villa have won two, drawn one and lost one of the four league games they have played.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at Villa Park, however, the hosts have changed the venue and it will be instead played at the nearby Conference side’s home ground.
Poyet on the brink of being appointed new Sunderland boss
Gus Poyet is on the verge of being named Sunderland manager.
The former Brighton boss is the preferred choice of owner Ellis Short, who has been persuaded to turn to Poyet by director of football Roberto De Fanti.
Poyet was also close to landing the job when Martin O'Neill was sacked but he was still employed by Brighton at the time and Short was unwilling to pay compensation.
The chairman/owner opted for Paolo Di Canio instead. Although he kept Sunderland up with two wins in seven last season, his relationship soured with players and the club picked up just one point in four games.
Supporters and players might have preferred caretaker Kevin Ball to have been given the job permanently but his hands were tied by two difficult games against Liverpool and Manchester United. They did beat Peterborough in the Capital One Cup but lost both league matches, despite improved performances.
After signing 14 new players, but just one Englishman, De Fanti has been pushing for a bilingual coach since Di Canio's ugly exit, which was instigated by unhappy players. Poyet, who has not hidden his desperation to get the job, fits the bill.
Ball has brought some much-needed stability to the club and is expected to return to his role as Under 21 boss.
His promotion to the top job would have had universal backing from supporters, despite the two defeats.
They will have reservations about Poyet, as Short has had during this impasse.
Poyet will have to win fans over by taking Sunderland off the foot of the table, starting at Swansea after the international break.
Pulis admits Sunderland snub as ex-Stoke boss eyes Championship
Tony Pulis would be happy to drop down to the Championship as he seeks a return to management.
The Welshman was sacked by Stoke at the end of last season despite securing a sixth successive campaign in the top flight for a club he took to an FA Cup final and led into Europe.
Pulis was linked with the Sunderland vacancy but Gus Poyet is the hot favourite to take over from Paolo Di Canio.
And Pulis likes the idea of trying to build up another club in a similar way to the job he did over seven years in his second spell at Stoke.
He told talkSPORT: 'I think Sunderland’s a great club and whoever gets the job, it’s a great job. I’m not so sure that would have suited me.
'I want to get back in and I want to get working again, but it’s got to be the right club. That’s very important for me. It doesn’t have to be a Premier League club. If it’s the right Championship club then I’ll do that.
'It’s been nice to build things. Everybody talks about what happened on the pitch at Stoke, and rightly so, but nobody talks about the improvement off the pitch as well.
'To build their own training ground, the millions that have been spent on the Britannia, they’ve got category A academy status - because of them staying in the Premier League there’s been enormous amounts of money that they’ve been able to invest in the football club.
'And the football club now is a completely different club to the one I started at.'
Pulis found himself under pressure from a section of fans last season for the style of football Stoke played and new boss Mark Hughes has earned praise for the changes he has made.
Criticism of Pulis from some Potters players, meanwhile, has prompted chairman Peter Coates to ban them talking about their former boss to the media.
Pulis admitted he emphasised the Potters’ reputation for direct, physical play to intimidate opponents.
And he knows that being so strongly associated with a particular style could be a negative now he is looking for another job.
Comparing his reputation to that of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, Pulis said: “Psychologically, maybe to my detriment at times, I would actually build that up. And our record at the Britannia was absolutely fantastic.
'I think the biggest thing in sport and in building teams is actually looking at the team you’ve got, and then you can evolve the team as it goes along.
'A lot of people talk about how well Brendan did at Swansea, but he inherited a footballing team. Brendan had come from Reading and not been successful, he’d gone to Watford and not been successful, where he tried to implement things that didn’t work.
'We had to stay in the Premier League, so which is the best way of staying in the Premier League - you play to the strengths of your team.'
Graham Poll Refs need to start clamping down on divers like Januzaj - or players will start taking matters into their own hands
Adnan Januzaj understandably got the headlines after two superb goals to ensure Manchester United won at Sunderland but he was also booked for a blatant dive before he scored.
This weekend Januzaj wasn’t alone in simulating a foul to try to win a penalty or get an opponent penalised, but he was the only player whom the referee, Chris Foy, cautioned. While that trend continues, players will carry on diving even when condemned by their own managers.
In the first live game this weekend at the Etihad, where Jon Moss was struggling to keep control, Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo appeared to dive when challenged by Everton’s Seamus Coleman. Coleman was so incensed by the Manchester City man going down that he became involved in an altercation withhis opponent. The situation ended up with the two players standing head to head while the game continued, with Moss unaware of the confrontation.
This scene is becoming more and more familiar as players feel the need to take matters into their own hands when they feel that an opponent has dived.
That would stop if referees gave a free kick immediately after a dive and issued a yellow card, as Roger East should have done to Stoke City’s Stephen Ireland when he dived blatantly at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The ‘dive’ for a foul or penalty is one example of simulation, but I also saw more incidents when players went down as if they were badly injured after a challenge when it was clear that they were not. Historically, the most blatant example of this came in the World Cup in Japan and Korea 2002 when Brazilian star Rivaldo was hit by the ball in the midriff and went down clutching his face.
His Turkish opponent, Hakan Unsal, was dismissed by the Korean referee who was fooled by the underhand tactic. Rivaldo was punished with a paltry fine and Kim was not appointed to another game.
This weekend saw Hull City’s Tom Huddlestone go to ground as if struck in the face after a brush from Aston Villa’s Ashley Westwood.
Referee Mark Clattenburg appeared not to even give a free kick initially until Huddlestone’s reaction convinced him to stop play - and caution Westwood.
In the West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal game Laurent Koscielny made a very strange block/barge challenge in stoppage time on Baggies striker Shane Long. A decent penalty appeal was turned down by referee Lee Mason who also ignored the fact that Long was rolling around holding his face despite Koscielny’s contact being made in his back.
The impact of these different types of simulation is that referees are loath award penalties when players are actually being tripped or fouled. Look at Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz or Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, who should both have had penalties but were denied by referees confused by the fear of being duped by simulation or worn down by players going to ground far too easily. The job is tough enough without players making it harder and the PFA must act to help with this issue.
Good week for... Howard Webb, who on Monday steps out on the lawn of Buckingham Palace to referee a game between Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC to commemorate the FA’s 150th anniversary. I am sure the game will be straightforward for Webb who missed out on a Premier League game this weekend to take this prestigious appointment.
Bad week for... less experienced referees Jon Moss and Roger East, who both appeared tentative and nervy in their performances at the Etihad and Craven Cottage respectively. It is difficult to adjust to the pace and profile of the Premier League and I hope both settle down and have better games in the coming weeks.
Name:
Anonymous2013-10-07 15:31
Aston Villa U21 v Sunderland U21 68mins
20:29
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-1 #SAFC - 68mins: Heroic block from @BradleyLewis27, throwing himself in front of a Connor Wickham shot.
20:25
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-1 #SAFC - 63mins: Double change for Sunderland. Liam Agnew for El-Hadj Ba and Carl Lawson for George Honeyman.
20:23
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-1 #SAFC - GOAL - 62mins: David Moberg Karlsson converts the rebound after Honeyman's initial effort comes back off the post.
20:21
Dan AVFC: Goal to Sunderland.
20:21
Comment From Derek Toner
My nephew Kevin Toner, is 17 and has been playing with the 21's, he seems to be performing well in that grade so much so he is on international duty in Sweden with the Rep Of Ire under 19's, his confidence is soaring after 3-4 good weeks with Villas 21's and all the lads have been great to him !
20:21
Comment From terry
yes ac new andre green was in the system watched him play for knowle fc always a talented boy and villa were keen then
20:17
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - 57mins: Super work from Burke on the left. Looks to pick out Stieber in the middle but the Hungarian can't guide it home.
20:14
Comment From AC
Jordan Graham will be on in about the 75th minute
20:13
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - 53mins: Fiesty start to the second half at The Lamb but no real clear openings for either team.
20:11
Dan AVFC: Yes the gaffer said so in his press conference the other day.
20:11
Comment From Pooligan
Is Gary Gardener near to being fit Dan ?
20:11
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - MATCH PIC - @CallumRobinson7 looks to create an opening for Villa U21s against @SAFCofficial. pic.twitter.com/zhfjdPyKSD
20:11
Comment From AC
Back again, cheers Dan
20:10
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - MATC PIC - Skipper Daniel Johnson in the thick of the action against. @SAFCofficial U21s. pic.twitter.com/e9aeRpby6s
20:09
Dan AVFC: Try refreshing. Went down for a very brief moment.
20:09
Comment From AC
Not getting any comms
20:09
Comment From AC
I think we need to remember that it is not about quantity, but it is about quality. If one of those boys makes it then it is better than having 7 or 8 who are League One players.
20:07
Comment From terry
thanks ac good info
20:05
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - Back underway for the second half at The Lamb.
20:02
Comment From AC
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy pulled out of the victory shield squad
20:02
Comment From AC
Andre Green was on standby
20:02
Comment From AC
Corey Taylor played for England u17 along with Easah Suliman who captained the side in one game, don't worry, we have plenty of talent coming through
20:02
Dan AVFC: It's actually quite exciting terry. Our policy this year is to push players up to higher age groups quicker. It means a lot of first-years and schoolboys are getting a chance in the youth team this year and this is also a pretty young U21 side.
20:01
Comment From terry
hi dan nice to see jordan graham back a bit concerned about whats coming through after the next gen winners watched victory sheild game england v wales no villa signings from either side i believe what do you know dan of the clubs summer in take
20:00
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - MATCH PIC - Riccardo Calder celebrates with Daniel Johnson after netting against @SAFCofficial. pic.twitter.com/gGchKM3MKY
19:58
Dan AVFC: No he's having a well-deserved break this week!
19:58
Comment From Tony Swansea
Where's Bomber Browns boy has he left
19:55
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficialU21s 1-0 Sunderland Jack Woodward AVTV half time report boo.fm/b1646397 via @audioboo #avfc
19:51
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficialHalf-time: Villa U21 1-0 Sunderland U21. #AVFC #SAFC
19:46
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - 41mins: Gorrin manoeuvres his way into the box and fires a low shot inches wide of the post. Let-off for Villa.
19:44
Aston Villa FC@AVFCOfficial#AVFC 1-0 #SAFC - 39mins: Stieber does well to switch the play to Calder again.Calder hits across the six-yard box but Dixon is out to claim
Gus Poyet: Sunderland set to name Uruguayan as manager
Sunderland are set to appoint former Brighton boss Gus Poyet as their new manager within the next 24 hours.
The Black Cats, who lie bottom of the Premier League table, sacked Paolo Di Canio on 22 September after only 13 games and six months in charge.
Uruguayan Poyet is understood to have held talks with Sunderland owner Ellis Short and is close to signing a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
Poyet, 45, was dismissed in June after four years at the Seagulls.
Sunderland's senior professional development coach Kevin Ball has been in temporary charge of the club since Di Canio was relieved of his position following a player revolt at the club.
Ball, 48, had asked to be considered for the job, but said following Sunderland's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday he did not expect to be doing another post-match press conference any time soon.
Poyet, who has no experience of management in the top flight, made no secret of his interest in the job at the Stadium of Light, and recently said: "I planned that, over the first matches of this season, I would pay a lot of attention to the teams I thought could be in trouble.
"Of course, I watch Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester, but there was a group of teams who, if they didn't start well, I thought I could have a chance.
"I was watching Sunderland a lot. People were talking a lot about them in the summer because of Paolo and how many new players they had, so I have seen quite a lot of them."
Poyet guided Brighton to the 2010-11 League One title 17 months after taking the job, and took them to last season's Championship play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Crystal Palace.
He was suspended by Brighton in May after an internal investigation and disciplinary hearing and sacked a month later for gross misconduct.
The full reasons for his sacking have not been revealed by either party, with Brighton saying the matter would stay confidential "to ensure and maintain confidentiality and dignity" after the former Chelsea midfielder's unsuccessful appeal against his dismissal.
Poyet said in August he was taking legal action against Brighton over the decision to dismiss him.
He is set to become the sixth Sunderland manager in the past five years - with the Black Cats currently bottom of the Premier League with one point from seven games.
Gus Poyet confirmed as Sunderland manager on two-year deal
• Poyet succeeds Di Canio at Premier League's bottom side
• 'I am convinced players are good enough,' Uruguayan says
• James Riach: Poyet in desperate need of magic
Gus Poyet has been handed the task of dragging Sunderland out of relegation trouble after being named as Paolo Di Canio's successor. The 45-year-old Uruguayan has signed a two-year deal and will take charge with immediate effect, becoming the club's sixth permanent manager in less than five years.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion manager's initial challenge will be to secure a first Premier League win of the season. Sunderland are at the foot of the table with only one point from seven games, a return that leaves them six adrift of 17th place.
"It's a big, big challenge, but I am really excited," Poyet told SAFSee. "I thought I would have an opportunity in the Premier League and now I have got it. I need to make sure that I prove they picked the right man to get us from the situation we are in, so I am absolutely delighted."
Asked what his priority will be, he replied: "Well it is to address the problems quickly, make sure we train and we convince the players to get better, and slowly that will make us pick up points.
"The sooner we win, of course, the better, but the idea is to make sure that they understand the way that we would like them to play football. There has to be very good communication with the players, understanding, trust – we need to commit as a group."
The club's owner, Ellis Short, who took more than a fortnight to make an appointment, said: "We analysed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus's track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward. We welcome him to Sunderland."
The former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder, who will be joined by his staff Mauricio Taricco and Charlie Oatway, has been out of the game since parting company with Brighton during the summer on less than friendly terms.
His track record as a manager is limited to his experience with the south coast club, although he had earlier been part of the coaching setups at Swindon Town, Leeds United and Tottenham.
Poyet impressed at Brighton, guiding them to the League One title in 2010-11 and into the Championship play-offs last season before his departure. He wants Sunderland to play in a similar style to the way in which Brighton did during his time in charge.
"I believe that football should be played in one way, which is caring a lot for the ball," Poyet said. "That way of playing football needs to be adaptable to the players. If you want to play football, but you don't have the players, it's not going to work, so you need to work, convince, use the ability of the players.
"We like to give the players the possibility to perform at their best, to play in the position where they want to play. They can perform, there are no excuses, they can go on the pitch and feel comfortable. Apart from that, we will help them, explain things that they need to listen to in the next few days. But the sooner they get it, the better for everybody."
Poyet will be required to work within the system installed by Short after Di Canio's arrival, with the Texan businessman determined to continue despite the failings of the Italian's brief and often chaotic reign. That will mean working under the director of football, Roberto De Fanti, who recruited 14 players during the summer, several of them ostensibly for the development squad.
Poyet is convinced there is enough talent within the dressing room to achieve the required results. "That's why I am here," he said. "If there were no talented players, if there were no quality players, the challenge would be practically impossible. I am convinced that the players are good enough."
Poyet will have the international break to work with those players not representing their countries, before sending a team out for the first time at Swansea City a week on Saturday. Intriguingly his second game, as was Di Canio's, will be a derby with Newcastle, and a repeat on Wearside of the 3-0 win they secured at St James' Park in April would provide the perfect launch-pad for his tenure.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short, as he made the final deliberations about the succession to Paolo Di Canio, knew what was riding on his decision.
"We feel the weight of the entire city and beyond, along with the history of this massive football club," wrote the American businessman in his match notes for Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Stadium of Light.
And now Short has passed a portion of the load to Gustavo Poyet after his appointment as Sunderland head coach on a two-year contract.
The Uruguayan will carry the burden of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League after a dismal start - not helped by some unforgiving fixtures - that has yielded only a single point from seven games and restoring calm from Di Canio's chaos.
Short has taken his time making this key move, a process no doubt brought into even sharper relief by Di Canio's 13-game reign - although that should be placed in context as Sunderland's owner remembered how "he came in and provided the fire that we needed to fight for the points necessary to stay in the league" last season.
There is, however, another element of a gamble in the appointment of the 45-year-old former Brighton manager, who left them in acrimonious and bitter circumstances after reaching the Championship play-offs last season.
Indeed, when Short described Poyet as a "passionate, driven" man, those very words have echoes of his ill-fated appointment of Di Canio.
Like Di Canio, Poyet has no previous experience of Premier League management and the conclusion of his time at Brighton - the full reasons behind his sacking have yet to be revealed - has already brought comparisons with the confrontational style of his predecessor.
Short has ignored the stability that would have been offered by retaining interim head coach Kevin Ball by entrusting the job to Poyet.
Ball presided over a very obvious improvement in performances, even in defeat against Liverpool and Manchester United. He would have been the safe choice in many eyes.
Short also ignored the claims of British managers such as Tony Pulis and Steve McClaren, with Poyet crucially having the support of director of football Roberto De Fanti.
In Poyet, he has the sort of young manager who has served an apprenticeship and will be able to focus on footballing affairs while the influential De Fanti concentrates on the wider strategy.
Poyet served as assistant to Dennis Wise at Swindon Town and Leeds United before working alongside Juande Ramos at former club Tottenham. He will feel his time has come.
Having watched Poyet's Brighton on several occasions, he produced a bright attacking side and was also someone who was nakedly ambitious about his desire to reach and succeed in the Premier League, either with the Seagulls or without them.
Poyet's achievements at Brighton have been somewhat overshadowed by the manner of his departure but his stock was rising steadily with his work at Amex Stadium and he was inspirational enough to get them into the shake-up for a place in the Premier League.
This is what Short will have been looking at, rather than his lack of Premier League pedigree, when he settled on Poyet.
And Poyet made no secret of his wish to get his hands on the levers at Sunderland once Di Canio was sacked. He believes this restoration job is perfect for him.
Now he must patch together a Sunderland squad still effectively getting acquainted with each other after the arrival of 14 signings this summer, let alone with the fight they have to stay in the Premier League.
There were signs that Poyet will have something to work with in Sunderland's last two games under Ball but he still faces a huge task in somehow bolting the commune of summer newcomers on to some of the older inhabitants such as John O'Shea to get Sunderland out of trouble.
And one of his first wishes will be to have Scotland striker Steven Fletcher back in action as quickly as possible after his shoulder injury.
The stakes are almost as high for Short as they are for Sunderland. He has put his reputation on the line by going for Poyet - accompanied by the same sort of optimistic noises that greeted Di Canio's arrival.
It is understandable he feels the weight of history. Even in their current struggles, 45,426 turned up at Stadium of Light on Saturday for Manchester United's visit. The potential (and expectation) at Sunderland is huge and it is a big call for Short to give the task of realising it to a man who has never taken charge of a team in the Premier League.
How Poyet fares will be a measure of Short's judgement because he - and Sunderland - cannot afford to get it wrong again.
Sunderland confirm Gus Poyet as their new manager on a two-year contract
The former Brighton boss held positive talks with the club and replaces Paolo Di Canio after the Italian was sacked a fortnight ago
Sunderland have appointed the former Brighton manager Gus Poyet as their new head coach on a three-year contract, with the confirmation coming early this morning from the Black Cats.
Poyet will bring with him his backroom staff that worked under him at Brighton, comprising his assistant Mauricio Taricco; coach Charlie Oatway and goalkeeping coach Andy Beasley. Negotiations over their contracts were completed on Monday afternoon and Poyet himself travelled up to Sunderland afterwards to meet existing staff.
Poyet was out of contract after his suspension and dismissal by Brighton, who previously had a £2.5m compensation clause in his contract. He met with Ellis Short, the owner of Sunderland, in London over the weekend to finalise the deal. The club’s chief executive Margaret Byrne has also been a key part of the negotiations.
"We analysed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus' track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward," said Short.
"We welcome him to Sunderland."
There was no pay-off for the 45-year-old when he was suspended and then dismissed on charges of gross misconduct by Brighton in June. The club have never explained what that charge constituted and it was Poyet’s intention to fight his dismissal in court. That is now likely to change with his focus on the job of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.
The club have just one point from their first seven games, having brought in 14 players during the summer under director of football Roberto De Fanti. The Italian will continue to work with Poyet and it is not anticipated that there will be significant amounts to spend on improving the squad in the next transfer window in January. Poyet’s deal will include a bonus for keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.
It was expected that Poyet would be in demand come this autumn and there were suggestions that Fulham might make a move for him as Martin Jol struggled at the start of the season. Poyet took Brighton into the Championship play-offs last season where they were beaten by the eventual winners Crystal Palace.
His first game will be after the international break away to Swansea with the derby against Newcastle at home eight days later on 27 October. Having played Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United at home, Poyet still has to face Chelsea and Tottenham – both former clubs from his playing days – at the Stadium of Light before Christmas.
SIR BOBBY ROBSON once called Gus Poyet "the scourge of Newcastle".
His verdict came after the Uruguayan's two goals for Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final 13 years ago shattered his dream of Wembley glory with hometown club Newcastle.
It's a label which should sit comfortably with any aspiring Sunderland manager, although crushing the Geordies in the Tyne-Wear derby guarantees nothing.
Just ask Paolo Di Canio, who led the Black Cats to just one more Premier League win after that memorable 3-0 victory in April.
Nevertheless, with their team anchored to the foot of the table without a league win this season, the Mackems will take anything going right now.
And holding an Indian sign over Sunderland's bitter rivals isn't a bad quality to offer, especially as Poyet's first home game in charge, eight days after he takes his struggling side to Swansea, is against Newcastle.
Battles Poyet scored the first time he faced the Toon and went on to hit another six against them for Chelsea and Tottenham.
Robson once admitted ahead of a league game against Spurs that he had formulated special plans to nullify the threat of the goalscoring midfielder.
They didn't work as Poyet scored his customary goal, and the footballing knight subsequently described him as a scourge.
Gus Poyet's main aim is to get Sunderland out of the relegation zone and battling up the table Gus Poyet's main aim is to get Sunderland out of the relegation zone and battling up the table
“He will impose his own style of play on Sunderland and demand total loyalty from those under him”
It will take more than local battles for the former Brighton boss to save Sunderland's skin this season. And Poyet is keen not to be viewed as coming from the same managerial school as his predecessor.
There is already talk of Sunderland appointing Di Canio-lite - a description which gives a false impression according to those close to the 45-year-old.
They may share a Latin background, be renowned for their passion and their last jobs ending in acrimonious circumstances, but Poyet, say his friends, is his own man.
"He's a calmer, less combustible character than Paolo," said a source who knows both men well.
"But I'd say Gus possesses more emotional intelligence. By that I mean he'll be prepared to put an arm around shoulders if he thinks that's what a player needs.
"His man-management skills are better - just ask the Brighton players."
Poyet, though, is no soft touch as directors at his previous club will testify. "Like Paolo, he can be a control freak and doesn't suffer fools gladly," the source added.
"Gus will also want a hands-on role when it comes to player recruitment and, with Sunderland's management structure, that's an area that will need sorting out.
"He will impose his own style of play on Sunderland and demand total loyalty from those under him.
"But if you give everything to Gus he will give you everything back, that's perhaps the biggest difference between him and Paolo.
"And don't worry, tomato ketchup and mayonnaise won't be banned from the canteen!"
Gus Poyet's tenure at Brighton ended on a very sour note Poyet's tenure at Brighton ended on a very sour note
During his three years on the south coast, Poyet never concealed the fact he saw himself as a Premier League manager-in-waiting.
Newcastle were linked with him in the summer when there was speculation over the future of Alan Pardew following Joe Kinnear's appointment as director of football. And, inevitably, he's been seen as a future manager of Chelsea and Spurs, whom he served with distinction as a player.
But once the Sunderland job came up, Poyet made no secret of the fact he was interested.
Except for a brief spell working with Dennis Wise at Leeds, his entire career in this country has been in the south, but he is adamant geography is not an issue.
Nor is Sunderland's position, entrenched in the relegation zone.
"Gus has been watching recent games and likes what he has seen," added his pal.
"They may have lost those games but he definitely believes there is something to work with.
"And that's why when he meets the players he won't be going in with all guns blazing.
"He'll want to make an instant impact but he's clever enough to realise you win nothing with a dressing room that's against you.
"There will be no repeat of recent events with Gus Poyet as Sunderland manager."
Five players Gus Poyet could sign to save Sunderland – from Adnan Januzaj to Jermain Defoe
Five players Poyet must sign to save Sunderland Gus Poyet will be busy during the January transfer window, As Gus Poyet settles into his new job at Sunderland, the Uruguayan is busy plotting how he can guide the club away from drop zone and up the Premier League table.
It’s a tough job, but with news that he is set to have £30million to spend on new players in January, Metro is on hand to tell Gus who he needs to sign to get the Black Cats purring again.
5. Adnan Januzaj
The Manchester United winger is one of the most talked about players around at the minute, with his stunning performance against Sunderland at the weekend catching the eye.
The Belgian is out of contract in the summer and, even if United ward off interest from Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City to tie him to a new deal, a loan deal would work well for all parties in the new year.
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-MAN UTD Adnan Januzaj impressed against Sunderland at the weekend
4. Mark Schwarzer
Sunderland lost Simon Mignolet in the summer and although Keiren Westwood and Vito Mannone are decent options, a top, experienced goalkeeper is needed.
Schwarzer, 41, has proven experience and is wasted on the Chelsea bench – he could definitely do a job at the back at least until the end of the season.
3. Joe Allen
Allen lit up the Premier League whilst at Swansea before his big money switch to Liverpool. He has spent the last few months injured, but is now closing in on full fitness.
Poyet’s passing football will require a midfield dictator and Allen would be a perfect candidate. Liverpool might sell on the cheap after their good start to the season without him
Aston Villa v Sunderland - Barclays Premier LeagueJonny Evans is at United now but has played for Sunderland before
2. Jonny Evans
The key to every top side is an excellent defence – and Sunderland just don’t have that. Most of their options are past it, but finding somebody who can settle quickly would be difficult.
However, in United squad man Evans they have a man who knows all about life at the Stadium of Light through various loan spells and could hit the ground running.
1. Jermain Defoe
Sunderland need goals, goals, goals and more goals, but their weak-looking forward line has little chance of delivering.
A proven Premier League marksman would do and Defoe could be that man. He is no longer the star striker at Tottenham and would probably relish a new challenge.
He guarantees goals and lots of them and would be worth the extra money in wages.
Gus Poyet vows to save Sunderland and unite the Black Cats’ divided dressing room
Gus Poyet says uniting the Sunderland dressing room will be his first priority after taking over from Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion manager was confirmed as the new Black Cats boss on Tuesday morning and believes winning matches will be the quickest way to restore harmony at the Premier League’s bottom club.
‘We are all together in this,’ said the Uruguayan. ‘It’s important now we stick together. We need to commit as a group and make sure that we are very strong to make sure we can win football games.
CLUB METRO: Sunderland fans must trust the board over Gus Poyet’s appointment
MORE: Five players Poyet can sign to save Sunderland
‘The idea is to address the problems quickly. The sooner we win the better, but the idea is to make sure that we understand the way we would like them to play football. We think it’s the best way.’
Sunderland have taken just one point from their seven league games so far this season, a campaign which has been dogged by rumours of dressing-room unrest.
But Poyet, 45, who becomes the club’s sixth permanent manager in less than five years, says he is confident the squad has enough quality to avoid relegation.
I thought that I would have an opportunity in the Premier League and now I’ve got it I need to make sure I prove that they picked the right man.
‘If there were no talented players and no quality players the challenge would be practically impossible,’ Poyet added. ‘I am convinced the players are good enough.’
As with Di Canio’s appointment in March, American owner Ellis Short has hired a man with no previous top-flight managerial experience.
But Poyet, who led Brighton to promotion from League One and last season’s Championship play-offs before being sacked in June, says he is ready to manage in the top flight.
‘It’s a big, big challenge. I thought that I would have an opportunity in the Premier League and now I’ve got it I need to make sure I prove that they picked the right man to get us from the situation that we are.’
And Short, who bought Sunderland in 2008, believes the he has at last found the right man to take the club forward again after Steve Bruce, Martin O’Neill and Di Canio all failed to bring success to Wearside.
He said: ‘We analysed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus’ track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward.’
Gus Poyet's five key challenges as Sunderland head coach
New man in charge at Sunderland needs to make foreign signings learn English and win over influential Lee Cattermole
1 The players were brought together in the collective desire to depose Di Canio, but they remain a collection of individuals rather than a team. They need to gel and quickly.
2 With only one of the 14 players signed over the summer English, Poyet needs to help the new arrivals settle quickly. Compulsory English lessons and advice on adapting to living in England are vital.
3 Even if he doesn’t make Lee Cattermole captain again, he needs his support in the dressing room. Di Canio resented Cattermole’s influence so he ignored his qualities as a player. It was one of the Italian’s biggest mistakes as he has been superb since he came back into the team.
4 Change the way Jozy Altidore is playing. The American has linked play well recently and has pace and power, but he never looks like scoring and the strain is showing.
5 Inspire Adam Johnson. The former England international has looked a pale shadow of the player he was at Middlesbrough and Manchester City and remains out of form.
New Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is the WORST choice for the job, according to Football Manager
The blockbuster football management sim has had its say, and Poyet falls behind his competitors for the Stadium of Light job
ew Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was the WORST of the leading contenders for the Black Cats job, according to Football Manager.
The north east club this morning confirmed the Uruguayan had taken over at the Stadium of Light on a two-year deal, following the dismissal of Paolo Di Canio last month.
Now that the former Brighton boss has landed the job ahead of the likes of Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo, our simulation of the 2013-14 season suggests Sunderland owner Ellis Short has made the worst choice!
However, he would be able to keep the struggling Black Cats afloat, with them finishing 16th after a solid second half of the season.
Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo both outperformed Poyet - finishing in 14th place.
Gus Poyet
Gets off to a good start with a 0-0 draw against Liverpool followed by a 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Went on a dismal run of 2 wins, 3 draws and 7 defeats until the New Year.
Wes Brown becomes unhappy at the club during this time and Poyet is forced to rotate between O’Shea, Diakite and Roberge.
Spends £8 million on Marco Storari and James Tomkins to strengthen his defensive options.
Loses just 7 games from January until the end of the season to lead Sunderland to 16th place finish.
Run includes wins over Aston Villa, Fulham, Newcastle and Everton.
By the end of the season Giaccherini, Altidore and Colback have handed in transfer requests.
Steven Fletcher and Jozy Altidore are joint top scorers with 9 goals each.
Gianfranco Zola
Opens up with a draw against Liverpool and defeat to Man United.
Fares better than Poyet in the run up to Christmas with 4 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats.
Doesn’t sign anyone in January after a failed bid for Ashley Williams.
Loses 8 games in the second half of the season but wins 6 and draws 5 to keep consistent enough form to stay up.
Sunderland finish the season in 14th.
Zola makes much more use of Fabio Borini than Poyet and is rewarded with 7 goals from the Italian.
Zola records victories over West Ham, West Brom, Fulham, Villa, Swansea and Spurs.
Jozy Altidore finishes as top scorer with 10 goals.
Roberto Di Matteo
Starts off with a win against Liverpool but wins just twice more before Christmas.
Does manage to draw 6 games in that time as well.
Sells Diakite in January for £3.5 million and brings in Scott Dann for £5 million as a replacement.
Sunderland remain unbeaten throughout January to propel them into 13th place before being inconsistent until the end of the season.
2 draws and a win in the final month lead them to 14th place.
Di Matteo plays both Giaccherini and Borini more frequently than both Poyet and Zola and gets them scoring with 10 and 8 goals respectively.
Giaccherini finishes as the top scorer with 10 goals.
Gus Poyet promised transfer funds to help secure Sunderland's stay in Premier League
Gus Poyet is named Sunderland new head coach and has been assured of funds in January to boost survival hopes
Gus Poyet will be assured of transfer funds in January to boost Sunderland’s hopes of Premier League survival after being named as the new head coach on Monday.
Poyet has agreed a two-year contract to succeed Paolo Di Canio and ends Sunderland’s two-week search for an appointment, with the Uruguayan charged with the task of helping the North East club avoid relegation to the Championship.
Sunderland owner Ellis Short has admitted top-flight safety is an “absolute necessity” and has promised Poyet assistance to make signings in the new year, though the budget will be more limited than the estimated £30 million spent by Di Canio this summer.
Short has made it clear to the 45-year-old that survival is the only remit for the season, with Sunderland bottom and without a league win since April 20. No club have ever avoided relegation with only one point from their opening seven games, Sunderland’s present position.
It is Poyet’s first managerial assignment in the top flight, after establishing his reputation with Brighton, but he is keen to introduce a more progressive style of passing football and will work closely alongside director of football Roberto De Fanti.
Sunderland made their move on Sunday, hours after the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, and held further talks with Poyet before finally putting the finishing touches to the deal on Monday night.
Poyet was one of the first contenders to hold talks with the Sunderland board after the dismissal of Di Canio and was under serious consideration for the post in March before losing out to the Italian as the club were reluctant to pay the £2.5 million compensation required by Brighton.
He has also been on the radar of Fulham in recent months after Martin Jol’s struggles and could have been in contention for that post if the west Londoners had failed to beat Stoke on Saturday.
Poyet was controversially dismissed by Brighton in July after an acrimonious row following the club’s play-off semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace and shortly after his exit was confirmed he told The Telegraph: “I am free and available and I want to be back in work as soon as possible.
“I’ve worked with Juande Ramos and Dennis Wise, worked for almost four years with Brighton, and feel I’m ready to manage in the Premier League.
“I’m going to go away and make sure I am ready for the challenge when it comes along. There are matters to be sorted out, for sure, but I’m very keen to get back into management when the right opportunity comes along.”
Poyet’s assistant from Brighton, Mauricio Taricco, will also be joining him on Wearside while Kevin Ball, who has been in caretaker charge for the last three games, is set to return to his former job with the academy.
Poyet travelled up to Sunderland on Monday night and his first game in charge will be the trip to Swansea on Oct 19.
His appointment will undoubtedly be seen as another gamble due to his lack of experience in the top tier.
Di Canio lasted only 13 league games before his dismissal a fortnight ago and Short had used his programme notes for the visit of United to spell out the short-term ambition for this season.
“Here at the club, like every supporter, we would like to see long-term success on the pitch and stability at the club,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately sometimes the quest for stability can be interrupted by the absolute necessity of staying in the league. This is because the long-term aim becomes irrelevant if we aren’t at the top level.”
Poyet was the sixth longest serving manager in English football at the time of his sacking with Brighton, winning 86 of his 194 matches.
He had guided Brighton to the League One title in his second season before finishing 10th and fourth in the Championship.
After making his name in this country as a cultured midfielder with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, Poyet first worked as a coach under Wise at both Swindon Town and Leeds United.
In 2007 he was recruited to Ramos’s back-room staff at White Hart Lane but he lasted barely a year before he landed his first managerial post at Brighton in 2009.
Newcastle United Top Premier League Of Shame For Football Violence Arrests
Sunderland follow in fifth place, according to the latest Home Office figures.
The shameful statistics, which are for arrests made at home games, include the total number of arrests made following the Tyne Wear derby on April 14 when fans ran riot through Newcastle city centre.
Newcastle United had 175 fans arrested at football matches in the 2012-2013 season, according to Home Office figures released on October 9 2013.
Of those arrests, 114 were for violent disorder.
Manchester United and Manchester City were second and third with 145 and 95 arrests in total respectively. Chelsea were fouth with 92 arrests and Sunderland fifth with 71 arrests, 33 of which were for violent disorder.
The previous season Newcastle had been in fourth place for arrests and Sunderland seventh.
Newcastle had the third highest home attendance of 50,517 during the 2012 -2013 Premier League season, but suffered more than three times the number of arrests as Arsenal, with the second highest average home attendance, of 60,097.
Manchester United had the highest average home gate, of 75,530.
Sunderland had the seventh highest average gate, of 40,544.
Total number of arrests at matches during the 2012/13 season
Team Total
Newcastle United 175 (Violent disorder 114, public disorder 22, missile throwing 2, racist or indecent chanting 1, pitch incursion 3, alcohol offences 21, ticket touting 4, possession of fireworks or flares 5, possession of offensive weapon 0, offences against property 3, breach of banning order 0, other offences 4)
Manchester United 145
Manchester City 95
Chelsea 92
Sunderland 71 (Violent disorder 33, public disorder 12, missile throwing 0, racist or indecent chanting 5, pitch incursion 1, alcohol offences 16, ticket touting 1, possession of offensive weapon 0, possession of fireworks or flares 1, breach of banning order 2, offences against property 0, other 1)
West Ham 67
Arsenal 53
Aston Villa 51
Everton 44
Liverpool 36
Tottenham Hotspur / Stoke 32
Southampton 23
QPR 20
Wigan 18
Swansea 13
Norwich 12
West Brom 10
Reading / Fulham 9
Newcastle football hooligan Mark Mennim told Sky Tyne and Wear fans rioting after the Newcastle Sunderland derby 'should be given an medal'.
Newcastle United fan Barry Rogerson gained notoriety when he was caught on camera punching a police horse. He faces jail.
Even former Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio had a brush with the law when police were called to reports of a bust up at the Sunderland team hotel. Di Canio stressed no-one at the club was to blame.
Smirking Football Thug: Tyne-Wear Derby Rioters Should Be Given Medals
Smug football hooligan Mark Mennim says Tyne-Wear derby rioters who disgraced the city should be given gold medals.
The ageing thug made the remarkable claim in an exclusive video interview with Sky Tyne and Wear.
Mennim, 52, was a member of Newcastle’s notorious Gremlin gang between the 70s and 2011, he also went to England matches, purely for the violence.
The Byker man laughed as he spoke to us about the derby disorder that he was not involved in last year.
Thugs took to the streets following Newcastle United’s 3 – 0 defeat against Sunderland at St. James’ Park in April.
Youths threw bottles at police and set fire to bins in a near riot that shamed the city.
Mennim said: “They should be given a gold medal never mind banning them and whatever.”
Mennim’s lack of remorse for a life of violence cost him his daughter, who he has not seen for over 22 years.
When asked if he would sacrifice seeing his daughter in order to fight at weekends, he said: “I sacrificed my life for it, yes I would. It’s my life, it’s what I want to do."
But in contradiction to that the convicted criminal said losing his daughter is his only regret from a life of fighting.
He said: “That was a big thing, that’s the only thing I regret losing my daughter.”
Sunderland's Connor Wickham Dropped From England U21s For 'Not Playing Enough'
Sunderland striker has been dropped from the England Under 21 squad by Gareth Southgate because he has not played enough football this season.
Wickham has played only 34-minutes throughout September and October and will miss the upcoming game with San Marino.
Wickham had been something of a regular in the England Under 21 side under previous manager Stuart Pearce but Southgate said that he is looing to invest time in other players.
Southgate said: “Some of the younger ones I want to have a look at because I think they are more likely to be involved going towards a tournament and I would like to bed them in now.
“Connor was not able to report last time and hasn’t really played any football since. It is as simple as that, really.
“Danny Ings, scoring regularly at Burnley, has been in outstanding form, and Nick Powell at Wigan the same.
“Danny is the addition, if you like, and I just felt his form justified that, but we know about Connor from seeing him play in the younger age groups.
“But at the moment, he has not really been able to play first-team football or anything underneath that.”
Two Sunderland Games And One Newcastle United Game Picked For Live Sky Sports Matches
Two Sunderland games and one Newcastle United match will be shown on Sky Sports in December.
Sunderland’s fixture at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday December 7, which kicks off at 5:30pm is their first live game.
Gus Poyet’s side will have to wait until the final week of the month to play on Sky live again and their game at Cardiff City on December 28 has been picked to be shown.
The match at Cardiff kicks off at 5:30pm and Newcastle United make their only appearance on Sky at home to Arsenal the following day.
Newcastle’s game kicks off at 1:30pm as the early match for that week’s Super Sunday ahead of Chelsea v Liverpool.
The games for Newcastle and Sunderland across the month are part of the biggest ever season of Barclays Premier League on Sky Sports.
Not only does Sky Sports have more live coverage with 116 matches in total, its audience has hit a new record in the early part of the season.
Average viewers for the first 23 live Premier League matches on Sky Sports are up 20% on last year, helping Sky Sports record its best ever start to a Premier League season.
In 2014, viewers can look forward to 57 more live matches between January and May, making Sky Sports the home to more than three-quarters of all televised fixtures over the remainder of the season.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: "The great sport keeps on coming for Sky Sports viewers. This is our biggest ever season of Premier League football and we're off to a record-breaking start with our audiences well up on last year.
"We are the unrivalled home of the Premier League and viewers are responding really positively to having access to the widest range of must-see fixtures."
16 newly confirmed live Premier League fixtures for December and the New Year:
Sat 7: Sunderland v Tottenham (ko 5.30pm)
Sun 8: Fulham v Aston Villa (ko 1.30pm)
Sun 8: Arsenal v Everton (ko 4pm)
Mon 9: Swansea City v Hull City (ko 8pm)
Sat 14: Hull City v Stoke City (ko 5.30pm)
Sun 15: Aston Villa v Man Utd (ko 1.30pm)
Sun 15: Tottenham v Liverpool (ko 4pm)
Sun 22: Southampton v Tottenham (ko 1.30pm)
Sun 22: Swansea City v Everton (ko 4pm)
Mon 23: Arsenal v Chelsea (ko 8pm)
Thu 26: Hull City v Man Utd (ko 12.45pm)
Sat 28: West Ham v West Brom (ko 12.45pm)
Sat 28: Cardiff City v Sunderland (ko 5.30pm)
Sun 29: Newcastle United v Arsenal (ko 1.30pm)
Sun 29: Chelsea v Liverpool (ko 4pm)
Newcastle And Sunderland Home League Cup Ties To Take Place On Same Night
Newcastle and Sunderland will play home League Cup fourth round ties on the same night.
Newcastle's match against Manchester City at St James' Park will be live on Sky Sports HD 1 at 7.45pm on Wednesday, October 30.
And Sunderland have confirmed that their home clash with Southampton will also take place on October 30, meaning a busy night on Tyne and Wear's metro, bus and national rail services.
Newcastle reached the last 16 of the Capital One Cup by beating Leeds, while Sunderland beat Peterborough in Kevin Ball's first game in temporary charge.
The fourth round ties will take place three days after the Wear-Tyne derby, which is live on Sky Sports HD 1 from 12.30pm.
Sunderland's David Vaughan Welcomes New Head Coach Gus Poyet
Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan has welcomed Gus Poyet's arrival but admitted it is the players who have to adopt a new approach at the Stadium of Light.
Poyet inherits a side with just one point from their first seven games but Vaughan is hopeful the appointment can help spark his side's season into life.
Vaughan said: "It's a good appointment. Hopefully he can get us off the bottom of the league and improve on performances from the start of the season.
"I don't know a great deal about Gus but I've spoken to a few players who have played with or worked under him and they have had good things to say.
"It's not been a good start. We've been in the games and in the last two games we have been unlucky. The belief is there and we just need to get a couple of good results then you will see a different side.
"I've not played in too many games so hopefully I can get in the team and get a good run of games, and hopefully we can win some games too.
"Under Paolo we did some good things, but it's down to the players to improve on the results on the pitch."
Poyet sought to distance himself from Paolo Di Canio's style of management when he was unveiled on Tuesday, insisting he has a different skill set to his predecessor.
"I think that man-management is one of the strongest parts of my attitude and my job," said Poyet. "I think there is no better way for a manager to be judged than by talking to his players.
"I have been a player for a long time and I have had many managers and they were all different. I tried to learn from them and analyse why they did things, and I believe what we are trying to do is the right thing.
"My idea is to try to understand each player the way they are - they are all different, so I have to give them the best chance to perform and help them so I can pick the right team to win a game."
Giaccherini happy to stay at Sunderland, claims agent
The agent of Sunderland's Emanuele Giaccherini says the midfielder is settled at the Stadium of Light and has no plans to head back to Juventus.
Sunderland completed one of the coups of the summer when they persuaded Italy international Giaccherini to leave Serie A champions Juventus to move to the north-east.
The 28-year-old has been one of the shining lights in a dismal campaign for Sunderland so far, and his representative Furio Valcareggi insists the Black Cats' struggles have not prompted him to consider an early return to Juventus.
He told Tuttojuve.com: "He looks great in England with Sunderland and has no problems related to acclimatisation - absolutely no problems of any kind.
"He's been in England for three months. We do not even have time to talk already about his possible return [to Juventus]."
Sunderland’s Poyet out to punish Newcastle United again
GUS POYET hopes he can continue to be “the scourge of Newcastle” when the new Sunderland head coach makes his Stadium of Light debut against the Magpies.
Poyet faces a baptism of fire on his home bow in 17 days time, when he is thrust into the cauldron of the Wear-Tyne derby.
But the Uruguayan has proved to be a nemesis against Sunderland’s arch-rivals during both his playing and management career, with late ex-Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson once labelling him “the scourge of Newcastle”.
Poyet netted six times against Newcastle during his stints at Chelsea and Tottenham, and eliminated Alan Pardew’s side from the FA Cup in each of the last two seasons when in charge of Brighton.
And he is eager to continue that misery for Newcastle when he attempts to secure the bragging rights for Sunderland over their neighbours.
“My life in England and my football career as a player and manager has been linked with Sunderland and Newcastle,” said Poyet.
“A little bit more with Newcastle, to be honest, because somehow – I don’t know why – I always seemed to score against them.
“They already hated me a little bit and now they probably hate me a little bit more.
“That’s football.
“I always try to do the best for the club that I’m in.
“I support the club I’m working for and become a fan and I think that will show with the passion and what the players show as well.
“Let’s hope it’s a good one and we can beat Newcastle in a couple of weeks.”
Poyet also netted five times against Sunderland as a player – including a consolation in the Black Cats’ famous 4-1 Stadium of Light victory over Chelsea in 1999, and a superb strike in a double in the Blues’ 4-0 opening-day win at Stamford Bridge – and knocked Steve Bruce’s Black Cats out of the League Cup in 2011 while with Brighton.
But it was his brace against Newcastle in the 2000 FA Cup semi-final which proved to be his crowning glory against the North East pair.
With 18 minutes remaining, Poyet’s header sent Chelsea through to the final after Rob Lee had cancelled out the midfielder’s opener.
Poyet will follow predecessor Paolo Di Canio in having his second match in charge against Newcastle. Di Canio famously secured a memorable 3-0 win at St James’s Park back in April, after losing his first game at Chelsea.
Poyet happy to work under Sunderland’s director of football
GUS POYET is happy to work in Sunderland’s director of football model after operating under a similar system at former club Brighton.
Black Cats owner Ellis Short decided to adopt a Continental management structure during the summer, with ex-agent Roberto De Fanti installed as the club’s first director of football to oversee Sunderland’s recruitment.
Despite the dismissal of Paolo Di Canio, that system has remained, with De Fanti and Sunderland’s all-Italian scouting team still in place at the Stadium of Light.
Like Di Canio, new boss Poyet has been appointed under the title of head coach, rather than manager, yet it is a familiar model for the Uruguayan.
Poyet spent 16 months working alongside ex-Manchester City, Fulham and Southampton scout David Burke at Brighton after he was appointed the Seagulls’ head of football operations in January 2012.
And after ending Sunderland’s search for a new man in the dug-out, Poyet insists he had no qualms about working alongside De Fanti.
He told the Echo: “I am used to it. It was a process we had a Brighton as well.
“At Brighton, I was the manager and then the chairman came to me and asked me to work with a sporting director, who took the title head of football operations.
“It amounts to the same thing.
“I was not afraid because I know what I want and I know how it (the system) works.
“As long as we are all on the same page and we are all realistic, I have no issues.”
Short turned to De Fanti after becoming disillusioned with how a series of big-money signings in the Steve Bruce and Martin O’Neill eras had failed to improve Sunderland’s fortunes.
Italian De Fanti was the one responsible for bringing 14 players to the Stadium of Light during the summer, yet Di Canio still had an input into the final decision on signing those fresh faces.
And Poyet realises how important it is that the arrangement between the director of football and head coach is an effective one, if it is to succeed on Wearside.
“I need to make sure that I connect well with him (De Fanti) and that we have a good working relationship,” added Poyet.
“It is not about simply being friends, but making sure that you understand one another – for him to understand what we need and for him to find what we need.”
How is YOUR club spending the £200,000 it's been given by the Premier League to improve away fans' experiences?
Sunderland: Subsidising away tickets at certain fixtures by £10 and improving the concourse, signage and bar areas for travelling fans. The Black Cats will also produce 40,000 guidebooks for visiting fans with things to see and do while in the area.
Newcastle United: Funding disabled away fan travel for the remainder of this season but other plans are still to be confirmed.
Arsenal: Fans will receive a £2.50 discount on every remaining away Premier League match ticket. The club will also provide away supporters with a £10 refreshments voucher at an away fixture this Christmas and invest in the away end at the Emirates.
Aston Villa: Offering travelling supporters free coach travel for ten games this season, starting with their match against Hull City on October 5.
Cardiff City: Will subsidise 30 coaches for Norwich City away so fans only have to pay £5. The club are also looking into other deals. Fans travelling to Cardiff should also check out the club's Away Fan Guide.
Chelsea: Subsidised travel for at least 10 away games this season including long trips to Everton, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Crystal Palace and Swansea City do a reciprocal deal which means 'any adult ticket can be purchased at half-price with every full-price junior ticket'. The Jacks also promise to provide a free hot meal for every travelling fan at Southampton on October 6.
Everton: Yet to be announced.
Fulham: Provide four free coaches at every Premier League away game. The club will also hand out free away tickets to junior season ticket holders and members.
Hull City: Offer free travel to away games and have nearly 30 coaches going to Everton on Saturday 19th October. The club will also offer free travel to Spurs (league and cup), Southampton, Arsenal, and Swansea City, all before Christmas. The club are looking at further offers in 2014.
Liverpool: Reducing away ticket prices by £2-£4, dependent on the opposition. The decision was taken after consultation with the club’s Supporters' Committee.
Manchester City: Manuel Pellegrini’s staff and first-team squad have chipped in to the offer. Half-price tickets will be on offer to season-ticket holders at selected away games. Games will be chosen if a considerable travelling distance is involved or it falls in a series of games taking place during a short period of time.
Work is underway at the Etihad to improve the experience for visiting supporters. Club captain Vincent Kompany said: 'I hope this initiative proves how much we value our incredible support on the road'.
Manchester United: Consulted the Fans’ Forum and knocked £4 off the price of every away ticket bought by a United fan, starting with the Fulham game on November 2.
Norwich City: Offering 'double discount' for trips to both Manchester clubs. The club also laid on 25 free coaches for the trip to Hull City and have offered half price tickets for Stoke City away.
Southampton: Yet to be announced.
Stoke City: Offering free coach travel to away fans for all Premier League fixtures. This has already resulted in the Potters taking a club record number of fans to Anfield for a Premier League fixture.
Swansea: see Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur: Offering subsidised travel to all 14 top-flight games outside of the London area. They'll also assist official regional clubs travel arrangements and refurbish areas used to accommodate visiting fans at the Lane.
West Bromwich Albion: The club will provide free coach travel for 2,000 West Brom fans at a yet-to-be-confirmed fixture. Discounted ticket offers for selected games will also be made available to away fans visiting the Hawthorns. Away fans will also benefit from the reduced food and drink prices in the concourses at the Hawthorns.
West Ham: The club are offering a number of incentives, including affordable tickets and reduced-price coach travel. The initiatives also include the commitment to six 'Kids for a Quid' fixtures available to visiting fans.
Don't look now, Roy! Less than a third of Premier League stars are English... down by staggering 37% since 1993
English footballers can only account for less than a third of playing time in the Barclays Premier League this season, a damning study has revealed.
The figure, 31.8 per cent, is down almost four per cent since the 2007-08 campaign, and a decrease of the 69 per cent of English players starting top-flight matches in the 1992-93 season.
The study, carried out by the BBC, also revealed that Spaniards have accounted for almost 60 per cent of minutes played in La Liga this term, while the figure of Germans featuring in their national league, the Bundesliga, stands at 50 per cent.
The figure was just over 30 per cent for last weekend's round of Premier League fixtures (see table, right) with Newcastle fielding only one Englishman.
The damning statistics come ahead of England's crunch World Cup qualification double header against Montenegro and Poland.
Alan Shearer, who captained England and holds the record for the most goals in the Premier League, told the BBC: 'These are tough times for English football at the moment. Everyone is aware that English football is not as healthy as it should be and I'm afraid it is all going to take time.'
Arsenal midfielder ack Wilshere has drawn criticism, most notably from South-African born Kevin Pietersen for declaring that 'only English people' should play for England.
His club manager Arsene Wenger, who today backed his midfielder's comments, told the BBC: 'There are only two ways you can see it - you have the opportunity to have the best players in the world in England, so let's see what they have and let's produce players who have the same qualities.
'Or you say, let's protect our players, keep the good players out and let's just play the English players. I believe that we live in a global world. The real question for English football is whether it can produce the players with the needed quality.'
While Premier League clubs spent in excess of £600million on new signings during the latest transfer window, only a tenth of that sum was spent on English players.
Sunderland signed made 14 acquisitions this summer, but only one of those was of English nationality in 19-year-old Duncan Watmore. While Tottenhan splashed over £100m on new players but failed to sign one English player.
Shearer added: 'It makes it harder for England, there's no doubt about it. 'But England didn't qualify for the US in 1994 when the percentage of British players was quite high, so I do believe that's it not only the number of foreign players in the Premier League that is making things difficult for England.
'I believe there are a number of other things. Foreign players are a lot cheaper than British players and as we all know, managers have no time whatsoever.
'There is also the hunger of young players and the coaching that players have. If you put all that together, then that's where England are at this moment in time.'
Can Gus Poyet solve the Sunderland midfield riddle?
With a new manager comes a fresh start, a clean slate.
One Sunderland player who could very well benefit the most from such a new dawn at the Stadium of Light is David Vaughan.
Much has been made of Gus Poyet’s preference for a 4-3-3 formation with an insistence on ball retention and possession football. Such a system could well be tailor made for the Welshman.
Vaughan was one of a number of players that seemed destined for the exit during the summer months as Paolo Di Canio ruthlessly attempted to conduct surgery on a beleaguered squad.
Indeed, if reports in the press at the time are to be believed, Reading were close to securing the midfielders services as part of a £1million deal.
Vaughan has often flattered to deceive as part of a two man midfield but a switch to three in the middle may well be better suited to his style of play and what Poyet is looking for.
If I were to bang the drum for one player to make a return to the middle of the park it would be Jack Colback.
However, if I were to bang the drum for one player to make a return to the middle of the park it would be Jack Colback.
I’m a huge fan of Jack with his no-nonsense approach to the game, tidy and efficient work on the ball; he goes about his business on the field with little fuss and is often goes under appreciated.
Colback has been dutifully filling in at left-back since the departure of Danny Rose following his loan spell on Wearside last year. If you’re reading this Danny, please come back, we really miss you lad.
Of course, with this being Sunderland, we failed to suitably address the situation, opting to bring in Andrea Dossena from Liverpool on a season long loan on deadline day. Seriously, what is it with this club and left-backs? We don’t seem to have had a specialist in that position for years, maybe even since Michael Gray.
Dossena recently returned from a spell in Italy, rehabilitating a thigh injury since his signing, in mid-September and may very well be close to match fitness, a return which would surely free up Colback to a return to his more natural and preferred position.
Of course while the 4-3-3 formation allows for an extra spot in the middle of the field, this may also give the incoming manager a few selection headaches given the sheer number of players vying for a spot.
At present Sunderland have Vaughan, Colback , Lee Cattermole, Craig Gardner, Ki Sung-Yeung and potentially Sebastian Larsson all staking a claim for their spot on the team sheet.
A recent impressive return to action from Cattermole and indeed a return to midfield from Craig Gardner have made the midfield scenario at Sunderland all the more intriguing.
One player who you feel is guaranteed a spot on Poyet’s side is Sung-Yeung. The Korean midfielder has really caught the eye for me personally and with his eye for a pass you have to imagine he will be a firm favourite of Poyet’s.
Phil Bardsley set to make his Sunderland return at Swansea
Journal understands the right-back returned to full training at the start of this week and is available for Gus Poyet’s first game in charge at the Liberty Stadium
Phil Bardsley is set to complete a remarkable change of fortunes and make his Sunderland return at Swansea on Saturday.
The Journal understands the right-back returned to full training at the start of this week and is available for Gus Poyet’s first game in charge at the Liberty Stadium, where the Black Cats desperately need to take points.
Having been rehabilitated in the eyes of Sunderland’s management since his casino faux-pas, he is now in serious contention to return to a squad Poyet feels needs more Premier League know-how.
Bardsley broke his foot at the start of the summer but that misfortune may have saved his Premier League career.
At that point several Championship clubs were ready to take him on loan and Sunderland had sanctioned a temporary switch for the player after failing to find a taker at their asking price of around £200,000.
Bardsley was frozen out by Paolo Di Canio after a team night out to celebrate staying in the Premier League ended with photos of the defender sprawled on the floor covered in money emerged.
He then further blotted his copy-book by posting a message on social media which appeared to mock Sunderland’s opening-day defeat against Fulham.
However, he offered a full apology to Di Canio and Ellis Short and it is understood he had been told by the Italian before his dismissal that he would be given a clean slate – just as Lee Cattermole was in the final days of the former manager’s ill-fated regime. Kevin Ball publicly absolved Bardsley and there has been a similar attitude from Poyet, the Scotland international one of the few senior professionals he has seen during his first week in charge.
While his return might split opinion among Sunderland supporters, there can be little doubt the Black Cats need everybody on board when they return to action after the international break.
Six points shy of safety, they need to take advantage of a crop of games where they will feel they can get points.
That run starts at Swansea and Poyet’s focus is on making his team more robust at the back and more competitive in the midfield area.
The Uruguyan has dismissed the idea the delay in his appointment has aided him.
While they improved over the two games, Sunderland lost to Liverpool and Manchester United in Ball’s two games in caretaker charge.
Poyet said he would have welcomed the chance to be in charge for those matches.
He said: “I watched it in a different way.
“Against Liverpool I didn’t know anything was happening, but against Manchester it was probably coming close to the final decision from the chairman.
“I was supporting the team and suffering with them. Without a doubt there was a change in attitude from the players.
“They showed more determination and aggression, that does not suggest it wasn’t there before. It was a different way before, there are different ways to football.
“I was not afraid of being in charge for those two games.
“People think ‘you were lucky for not playing against Liverpool or Manchester United’. It was circumstances. You have to accept what you get when you come in.”
Meanwhile, Duncan Watmore has been backed to make an impact at Sunderland by the club’s professional development coach Robbie Stockdale.
Watmore has made eye-catching appearances for the under-21s since joining from Altrincham.
Stockdale said: “He’s settled in well. I was one of those who watched Duncan at Altrincham and you could see there was something there.
“He has been really willing to learn and has integrated with the lads very well.
“There’s aspects of his game he needs to improve but at the same time we don’t want to lose his attributes by over coaching him.
“Duncan’s an old-fashioned kind of player in that he will get the ball and run with it.”
GUS Poyet says he did not talk transfers with owner Ellis Short before accepting the Sunderland job this week.
The ex-Brighton manager was officially appointed as the Black Cats’ new head coach on Tuesday and was instantly linked with moves to sign Scottish midfielder Liam Bridcutt and Argentinian striker Leonardo Ulloa from his former club.
There has also been the eyebrow-raising claim that Short has agreed to hand the Uruguayan a £30m war-chest for the January transfer window.
But Poyet says that the last thing that was on his mind when approaching the job was asking the owner to get his cheque book out.
“To be honest, we didn’t talk about funds for team strengthening before I came here,” said Poyet.
“My idea is to assess the players that are here and make sure I check them properly – which ones are down, which ones want to be here and which ones can help me.
“I will learn things this way.
“And then, depending on what I see in the next month or two, I will talk to the owner.
“But I don’t think we can start talking too much before then.
“At the moment, it’s not something I’m even thinking about.”
If Poyet does decide to shake up the squad in January, offloading players will be just as important as recruiting them.
New salary restrictions that came into force in the Premier League this season mean the Black Cats will have little room for manoeuvre.
Sunderland brought in a new player recruitment strategy over the summer after appointing Italian ex-agent Roberto De Fanti as director of football and former Inter Milan talent-spotter Valentino Angeloni as chief scout.
Poyet says he has no problems working within that Continental-style framework, having experienced something similar at Brighton, where the club appointed David Burke as head of football operations in January 2012.
Sunderland’s Larsson helps Sweden secure play-off spot
SUNDERLAND’S Seb Larsson helped Sweden secure a World Cup qualification play-off spot tonight after the Scandinavians emerging victorious in their crunch clash with fellow hopefuls Austria.
Larsson played the full 90 minutes in Stockholm as Sweden recovered from a one goal half-time deficit to emerge 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Norwich’s Martin Olsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
That sealed second spot in qualification group C, behind leaders Germany, who confirmed their place in Brazil with a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Elsewhere, Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan also completed 90 minutes in Wales’ 1-0 win over Macedonia.
Black Cats winger Emanuele Giaccherini was an unused substitute in Italy’s 2-2 draw in Denmark, while Ondrej Celustka was denied a debut for the Czech Republic after being left on the bench in a 4-1 win in Malta.
Ball and Poyet keen to intergrate Under-21s with Sunderland first team
KEVIN Ball used his opportunity as Sunderland’s interim head coach to integrate the first team and Under-21s far more than they had done previously under Paolo Di Canio.
And that process is likely to continue under new head coach Gus Poyet who has already indicated that he favours closer union between the two squads.
That will be a far cry from life at Sunderland under Di Canio who put focus on the first team above all else and enforced pretty much total separation between them and the rest at the Academy.
Ball explained: “Paolo Di Canio had nothing against the Under-21s – I think he just wanted to concentrate on the first team, and that was his prerogative as manager.
“Mine would always be, if I was in charge as manager, I would want a certain integration.
“My view is that the 18s needs to dovetail with the 21s and the 21s need to dovetail with the first team and if it means that they mix in at the right time then so be it.
“Obviously you reserve the right to train separately.
“But I find it’s good to have the 18s training with the 21s at times because the 18s might think it’s easy and most quickly find that it’s not - that it’s a lot quicker.
“And then the 21s might train with the first team and find exactly the same themselves.
“On the other hand you’ll see some of the under 18s doing well enough to merit involvement with the 21s and some of the 21s doing well enough to merit involvement with the first team.
And I think what the first team get out of it is the fantastic enthusiasm and energy that youngsters can bring to training.
“I’m mindful that the first team has the experience, the strength, the physicality and the greater skill levels but they can be energised by being up against younger players.”
Those words sum up Ball’s general approach as a coach but actions speak louder than words and it was a philosophy he immediately put into practice during his brief time at the helm.
“I did it with practice matches to give squad players who have had little involvement in the first team some match practice,” he said.
“And I thought it worked well because it gave the 21s a view of the first team.
“They get to know each other and understand each other and it helps increase knowledge experience and competition within the group.”
As a rule, it’s a policy that Poyet favours and the Uruguayan indicated as much this week, when he was underlining how important he expected Ball to be in his time at the club.
“Kevin is a big part of this club and I expect to be working closely with him,” said Poyet.
“The way I work, there is quite a lot of mixing between the younger players and the senior players so I will be seeing a lot of Kevin in the weeks ahead.
”I want to get the best out of the coaching staff, as well as the players at the club.”
NEW Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has told his squad to mind their language – insisting it will be English only.
Uruguayan Poyet speaks Spanish, English, Italian and French, and has 13 nationalities on his playing staff.
He said: “On my first day in training I tried to speak a few different languages, with a bit of French and some Italian as well as my bad English. Not any longer, only English.”
GUS POYET insists there is room for Sunderland’s formation to evolve, despite being a firm advocate of 4-3-3 at former club Brighton.
Caretaker boss Kevin Ball discarded Paolo Di Canio’s faith in an orthodox 4-4-2 during his two games in charge by installing an extra man in the middle of midfield.
And that strategy is likely to remain under new Sunderland head coach Poyet, with the Uruguayan deploying three central midfielders at Brighton after stumbling upon it successfully midway through his opening season with the Seagulls.
But the Uruguayan says he must keep an open mind over Sunderland’s system; citing the example of joint Premier League leaders Liverpool who have altered their set-up to incorporate the return of striker Luis Suarez.
Poyet said: “It’s a process.
“I started with a 4-4-2 at Brighton which I was convinced by. I love the 4-4-2.
“But you need to have the players nowadays to understand that system.
“One day, by accident, we were playing Leeds away and we were not doing well.
“We went for 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 – call it whatever you like – and we were absolutely fantastic. We got a result.
“Then we said ‘why don’t we leave it for next Saturday?’.
“Then we started winning and winning and winning.
“Then we brought in the players to play that system which is the key.
“Then it became our system, but not because I chose it.
“The process here might be completely the opposite.
“I heard the other day Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool manager) say something very intelligent.
“To play the two strikers up front, he had to change to a back three.”
Poyet insists he has inherited a squad with the flexibility to play in a variety of formations.
And he will spend the next week considering how best to deploy the side for the opening game of his reign at Swansea on Saturday week.
“To pick a system and then try it is the way to do it,” he added.
“I think there’s plenty of different type of players here. You’ve got everything - speed, ability, strength, young players and different options everywhere on the pitch.
“I need to make sure that with the way we set up how we want to play, I pick the right one.”
Signed from AZ Alkmaar in the summer, Altidore has scored just once for the struggling Black Cats, and that came against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.
He scored in USA's 2-0 win over Jamaica, as Jurgen Klinsmann's side clinched top spot in qualifying.
USA vs. Jamaica: Final score 2-0, USMNT turns it up late
Having already qualified for the World Cup during the last set of international matches, the United States threw out a bit of an experimental team on Friday night against Jamaica.
Unsurprisingly, without some of their best players and without anything to play for but pride, the USMNT looked flat. However, they started to play well late in the second half and recorded a fairly easy 2-0 win over Jamaica, who have been eliminated from World Cup contention.
A dull first half with few chances for either team led Jurgen Klinsmann to make a halftime substitution. Landon Donovan, who was average in the first half and has recently battled an ankle injury, was subbed off for hometown hero Graham Zusi. Whether it was because he was healthier, more motivated or some combination of the two, Zusi was much more effective than Donovan.
Still, the game was a slow one, devoid of chances until Klinsmann made a couple of other changes. Edgar Castillo replaced DaMarcus Beasley in a like-for-like switch of attack-minded left backs, while Sacha Kljestan came on for Aron Johannsson, who was lively in his first start for the U.S., moving Mikkel Diskerud to a more advanced role. All three substitutes played well from the introduction of Kljestan on, while Diskerud was more effective after the change, as well.
Zusi's opener came in the 77th minute on a well-placed finish from 15 yards. Alejandro Bedoya set it up, cutting the ball back from the right flank. Castillo set up Jozy Altidore for a goal four minutes later with an excellent cross from the left flank at the end of one of his many effective ventures forward.
The U.S. now heads to Panama for what could be a tough test against a team that will have a lot to play for, regardless of the result of their game against Mexico later Friday night.
Jamaica: Kerr, Doyley, Morgan, Mariappa, Phillips, McAnuff, Austin, Watson, Johnson (Anderson 85'), Mattocks (Robinson 73'), Brown
Goals: None
Name:
Anonymous2013-10-14 10:52
Altidore has been unfortunate thus far with a wooden Ref and the goal surround getting in the way of his maiden Premiership goal he has also been largely used as a target man which will change when Fletch is fit again but Clatter-mole if he can stay on the pitch makes a huge difference to the spine of the side.
Gus Poyet warns Sunderland players of "nightmare" 48 hours ahead of Swansea game
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has warned his players they face a "nightmare" 48 hours as he looks to get his ideas across to them ahead of Saturday's clash with Swansea.
Poyet, who replaced Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light earlier this month, has yet to meet many of his squad because of international duty this week.
The former Brighton boss admits it will be hard for them to take in all the changes at Sunderland before the Swansea game as he looks to stamp his own mark on the club.
"The Thursday and Friday before the Swansea game will be unbelievable for them," said Poyet. "The amount of information they are going to get is incredible.
"It will be a nightmare for the players coming back. They will all be together for the first time. I need them all in to convince them to be ready.
"It is going to be very demanding for them over those days. Mentally, not physically as much.
"It will be a nightmare for the players coming back. They will all be together for the first time. I need them all in to convince them to be ready."
Gus Poyet
"We need them all to know what has been happening over the last eight days, we need them prepared for the Swansea game
Poyet added: "I have spoken to a few of the guys who have been away on international duty. It's not nice for the players to be away when a new manager comes in.
"They will think 'there's a new manager who has come in, I haven't been around, so I am going to be out of the team'. It's nothing to do with that. Nothing like that.
"I want them all to be relaxed about me being here when they come back to training. I want them to just get themselves back here normal and fit."
Poyet believes there is enough quality players at the club to help them get out of trouble, but admits those who grasp his style of playing quicker than the others will stay in the team.
"I just ask them to believe and be really open minded in the beginning," continued Poyet. "They need to take it on board and to take it on board very quickly. Those who do it quickest stand a greater chance of playing.
"It's about knowing about everything we need to do on the pitch, to commit to the cause and we need to do it quickly. That's the most difficult part.
"It's difficult to talk about my style. But I try to make it easy for the players to go on to the pitch and feel comfortable, without excuses.
"To go on to the pitch and perform to their best. There are no doubts on their mind. We have to make sure we use their strength. There are players with plenty of quality here."
Sunderland's Steven Fletcher may return at Swansea City after injury
• New manager Gus Poyet given boost by striker
• Shoulder injury sidelined Scotland international
Steven Fletcher could give new Sunderland manager Gus Poyet a huge boost by returning from injury ahead of schedule this weekend.
The 26-year-old Scotland international was ruled out for up to six weeks when he suffered a shoulder injury during Paolo Di Canio's final game in charge, a 3-0 defeat at West Brom on September 21.
Poyet has revealed the striker is already pushing for a return less than a month later and could be involved in Saturday's Premier League trip to Swansea.
The manager told the Sunderland Echo: "There is a big possibility. It's some of the very good news from this week. Every player is important but we know in football that there are a few positions that are key – the goalkeeper, the spine of the team and the main man up front scoring goals. We need goals, we need players who have got the ability and Fletcher is one of those players."
Sunderland have managed only five goals in seven league games and have collected only a single point from the 21 they have contested and are six adrift at the foot of the table.
Poyet will set about the task of addressing that situation when he takes charge of the club for the first time at the Liberty Stadium, with derby rivals Newcastle due on Wearside eight days later.
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Sunderland rearrange Capital One Cup clash against Southampton
Sunderland's Capital One Cup tie against Southampton at the Stadium of Light has been moved on to avoid a clash with Newcastle's home game on the same night
Sunderland's Capital One Cup tie against Southampton at the Stadium of Light has been moved on to avoid a clash with Newcastle's home game on the same night.
Both the Black Cats and the Magpies – who face Manchester City in the same competition – were due to play on Wednesday, October 30.
But Sunderland's game against the Saints has now been moved to the following week and will now be played on Wednesday, November 6, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
A statement from Sunderland today revealed that Northumbria Police had made 'strenuous representations' to the Football League, which is responsible for scheduling games in the competition, expressing concerns about the two sides playing at home on the same night – and especially just three days after the Wear-Tyne derby.
And as a result the Football League have sanctioned Sunderland's game to be moved.
The Football League’s chief operating officer, Andy Williamson, said: “It is never ideal for a match to be dated and then moved at relatively short notice.
“Nonetheless, we have listened to the representations made by the police on this matter and have agreed that it is in the wider public interest to re-arrange this match.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this causes for supporters.”
Sunderland commercial director Gary Hutchinson, added: “We have agreed to move the game with great reluctance, as we know the impact this could have on supporters and appreciate and thank them for their understanding in this matter.”
Tickets bought for the original date will be valid for the rearranged fixture.
New Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has confirmed that striker Steven Fletcher is fit for the trip to face Swansea City
Gus Poyet has confirmed that striker Steven Fletcher is fit for this weekend's trip to Swansea.
The Scotland international has been out of action for a month since dislocating his shoulder at West Bromwich Albion in what turned out to be previous boss Paolo Di Canio's final game in charge.
Fletcher was originally expected to be absent for six weeks, but has returned to training ahead of schedule and will be a part of new boss Poyet's squad for his first game in charge.
"He is available for Saturday, which is great news," said Poyet.
"When I signed the contract [to take over at Sunderland last week] there was a question mark, but now it is confirmed that he is available and he is very important for us.
"We were looking at other options up front for this game – Jozy Altidore, Fabio Borini, Connor Wickham – so it came as a big boost to find that he [Fletcher] is available in any case."
Fletcher missed the end of last season and the start of the current campaign with ankle ligament damage but returned at the end of August, coming off the bench to mark his comeback with a goal in the 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
He started the next game against Arsenal, and then the game at West Brom where he suffered the shoulder injury after falling awkwardly.
Sunderland paid £12m to sign Fletcher from Wolves 14 months ago, and he was the club's 11-goal top scorer in his first season with the Black Cats.
Sunderland players back Phil Bardsley return, says Craig Gardner
Sunderland's players would welcome back Phil Bardsley with open arms if he is given a fresh start under new boss Gus Poyet, according to Craig Gardner
Craig Gardner says Phil Bardsley will be welcomed back into the fold by the players – if new boss Gus Poyet hands the defender an olive branch.
Bardsley has been out of favour since falling out with previous head coach Paolo Di Canio in May, when a late-night casino visit led to him being left out of the first-team's pre-season preparations and banished to the reserves over the summer.
Former Manchester United man Bardsley then burnt his bridges with Di Canio – and many fans – by taking to social media to mock the Black Cats' opening day defeat under the Italian.
But with Di Canio now history, Poyet has insisted that everyone starts with a clean slate and that could mean Bardsley – who was voted the club's player of the year the season before last – is given a chance to redeem himself.
And if Poyet does recall Bardsley, midfielder Gardner insists the players would back the move.
“Bardo's a class player and, while it is the manager's decision, I think he deserves a second chance,” said Gardner.
“He's a good player and it was only a couple of years ago that he was our player of the year.
“Hopefully Phil will get that chance again because there is no doubt about his ability.”
A potential comeback for Bardsley is unlikely to happen any time soon, however, as the 28-year-old is still working his way back to fitness after suffering a broken foot while playing for the Under 21s in August.
And even when he has fully recovered from that injury, he will still have to build up his match fitness as the 45 minutes he played in that game for the U21s remains his only action since May.
Sunderland are at least well-served for cover in the right-back role, however, with the on-loan Ondrej Celustka proving himself a capable replacement, while Gardner has also filled in on numerous occasions.
But Gardner is best employed in his preferred central midfield role, where he impressed in Sunderland's last outing against Manchester United when he gave the Black Cats an early lead.
And the former Birmingham man is likely to reprise that role in Poyet's first game in charge at Swansea City this week.
Gardner said: “The new manager has been brilliant. He has spoken to the lads – or at least all the lads that have been here during the international break – and he wants us to play in our natural positions where possible.
“I've played some games at right-back and Jack [Colback] has played at left-back, but we both prefer playing in central midfield and hopefully we'll get a chance to do that.
“Of course, when there are injuries it is good to have players who can play in other positions.
“But if Ondrej [Celustka] or Bardo [Bardsley] is fit at right-back, and once [Andrea] Dossena is fit at left-back, it would allow the manager to use me and Jack in midfield.”
Poyet in a rush to solve riddle left to him at Sunderland by Di Canio
Sunderland have a six-day wait until they play Newcastle and that was just about the only thing Gus Poyet could celebrate at the weekend. Time is something he desperately needs if he is going to solve the riddle he has inherited from Paolo Di Canio.
He failed spectacularly in his first attempt on Saturday and now must contend with the stigma that Sunderland have equalled the worst start to a season in the Premier League era.
It’s almost entirely a problem caused by others but what can Poyet do to save a situation that seems so dire?
Mentality
Sunderland went behind after 57 minutes and within a further seven were 3-0 down. Their confidence in possession disappeared after the opener, and the players so often called ‘cowards’ by Di Canio panicked when Swansea raised their tempo, hitting optimistic long balls instead of the short passes that initially worked.
Poyet admitted his key job is to rebuild confidence, saying: ‘I’m not going to say names but there were players who reacted in a good way to the first goal and players who reacted in a different way.
‘You have to keep playing and believing. Every day, every ball. Nowadays in football the mental side is key. Managers need to be psychologists.’
Second-half struggles
Sunderland have now conceded 15 of their 20 goals after the half-time break — a league high.
Fitness is not a problem, concentration and a lack of discipline are. Two goals came from set-pieces, making it eight conceded to dead-ball situations this season, and their inability to react to an opponent’s change in tactics is also becoming an alarming theme.
Take a chance
If it wasn’t for keeper Keiren Westwood, Sunderland might have been hit for six, so poor was their defensive positioning.
But Fabio Borini and Phil Bardsley had good chances and neither forced a save. Sunderland create an average of nine chances a game but have scored only five.
Don’t panic
Sunderland have good players. Of Saturday’s starters, Westwood, John O’Shea, Lee Cattermole, Emanuele Giaccherini and Steven Fletcher offer a respectable spine and Seb Larsson and Adam Johnson can create.
Poyet wants to play like Swansea but that would require a different type of player at a club with losses of £26million a year.
Poyet said: ‘I know what we need to work on, but I don’t know how quickly it will work. I hope it works really quickly. We cannot lose many more times.’
Swansea City and Sunderland at Liberty Stadium on Saturday October 19, 2013.
A second-half capitulation with catastrophic consequences at the Liberty Stadium not only makes it the worst start by a side in Premier League history, but emphasises the magnitude of the task facing Sunderland’s new manager, Gus Poyet.
One point from a possible 24 is the tale of the tape for a side who, in the first half, looked anything but a side languishing at the foot of the ladder. However, when the unfortunate Phil Bardsley diverted a Jonathan de Guzman corner into his own net after 56 minutes, the door shot open and Swansea, needing no second invitation, marched in with all guns blazing.
A sparkling effort from de Guzman and a 63rd-minute penalty from Wilfried Bony, sealed the visitors’ fate before Chico Flores gifted Swansea City a first home victory in the league since March 2, with a fourth, 10 minutes from time. What a start for Poyet, what a start for Sunderland whose next assignment is the small matter of a north east derby against Newcastle United.
Poyet, clearly crestfallen by his side’s second half submission, said: “When you play against a team who believe in what they do, it is not easy. However, I learned a lot about my players today, especially in the second half.
“In the first half we kept the ball well and that was what my team-talk was all about at half time. Then we go and do completely the opposite. I thought I picked the right team, but as I always said to players. Don’t give the manager a chance to change the team. I think they have given me that chance.”
For Swansea, it was a Jeckyll and Hyde performance that wound up with manager Michael Laudrup giving his players a ringing endorsement for the manner in which they responded to their own inaccuracy before the break.
Still missing their defensive talisman Ashley Williams, they were clumsy and strangely laboured in an opening 45 minutes that was instantly forgettable. Still, whatever the Dane said at half time, did the trick. Although Sunderland’s incompetence was a contributory factor to their own downfall, Swansea showed greater tenacity in the final third where Michu and Jonathan De Guzman were outstanding. Laudrup said: “It has been a while since we had won here and people had been starting to talk about us. So, it was good to turn them down.”
Laudrup has never been one to raise the temperature of the dressing room. What you see is what you get – a measured manager who according to the players has a welcome way of communicating his thoughts. That said, there were moments in the first half when he did raise his hands in astonishment as Swansea did their best to invite Sunderland into the contest.
Steve Fletcher had the visitors best chance, from an Adam Johnson corner, with De Guzman’s 25th-minute free-kick and Angel Rangel’s scuffed shot, six minutes later, the best Swansea had to offer.
Thereafter, the two sides set off in opposite directions. Sunderland, having defended with an element of control before the interval, pushed the self destruct button whilst Swansea, inspired by the return of Leon Britton and the irrepressible de Guzman, seized their moment. Bardsley diverted de Guzman’s corner passed the helpless Keiren Westwood before de Guzman picked his spot from 25 yards. Six minutes later Britton was upended by Craig Gardener and Bony did the rest from a dozen yards.
At that juncture, the previously visible Poyet retired to his seat in the visiting dug-out and looked on in disbelief as Swansea added a fourth when Flores arrived on cue to head home de Guzman's 80th minute corner.
Sunderland saved my life, says former Black Cats star Jamie Lawrence
Ex-Sunderland man Jamie Lawrence began his journey from prison to Premiership 20 years ago this week
It is 20 years ago today since ex-con Jamie Lawrence took his bow at Roker Park, completing his transformation from wideboy to wideman.
With Elvis Presley’s ‘Jailhouse Rock’ booming around the ground before kick-off, it was some entrance from the former guest of Her Majesty.
There was no chance of missing the flying winger when he lined up against Luton Town that day – not with his flamboyant pineapple hairdo!
Lawrence had done time for robbery but Sunderland boss Terry Butcher handed him a lifeline – literally – by offering him the chance to swap a life of crime for a professional contract.
“Sunderland saved my life, I really believe that,” said the 43-year-old Londoner.
“Terry Butcher took a chance on me and gave me the chance to leave my past behind and play professional football, and I will always owe him and Sunderland for that.
“I had been in and out of trouble since I was in my teens.
“I had just spent three years been in prison and if I had not started playing football I would probably have ended up in a life of crime – or maybe even dead.
“I was in awe of Terry Butcher – he was an ex-England international and everyone remembers that picture of him covered in blood at the end of that World Cup qualifier.
“He had heard about me because when I was in prison on the Isle of Wight I was given special permission to go out at weekends to play for local side Cowes Sports.
“So when I got out and he invited me to train with Sunderland and then offered me a contract, I jumped at it!”
Lawrence grabbed his chance, making his debut within days as a sub in a televised 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, before making his first start in a 2-0 win against Luton three days after that.
He added: “I had been in prison, so the story was built up beforehand.
“The club played Jailhouse Rock over the PA before the game - maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not, but the fans were great to me.
“Having grown up in South London and then spending three years in prison, coming up to Sunderland was a shock to the system.
“With that hairdo, I must have come as a shock to the fans, too!”
Lawrence’s stay on Wearside turned out to be brief.
Butcher was sacked the following month and his successor Mick Buxton made it clear the newcomer - who ended up making only four first-team appearances for the club - was not part of his plans.
Lawrence said: “We did not really get on.
“He was a bit of a sergeant-major and I had had enough of that in prison!”
Buxton sold Lawrence to Doncaster in March 1994 but in January 1995 Martin O’Neill took him to Premier League Leicester City, where he helped the Foxes win the Coca-Cola Cup two years later - defeating Middlesbrough in the final.
From there he went to Bradford City, helping the Bantams win promotion to the Premier League alongside Sunderland in 1999, and his career also included spells at Walsall, Wigan, Grimsby and Brentford.
He also won international honours with Jamaica, earning 24 caps for the Reggae Boyz. He said: “Playing for Jamaica, which is where my parents are from, was a huge honour for me. It was massive.
“It just goes to prove you can turn your life around.”
During his spell at Sunderland, Lawrence played alongside the likes of Kevin Ball, Gary Bennett, Mickey Gray, Don Goodman and David Rush.
Lawrence added: “I have kept in touch with Rushy – he is a good friend of mine.
“I have seen a few of the other lads from time to time, too.
“Last year I came up to Sunderland to have a meal with then Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill, and I saw Bally at the training ground too.
“I was surprised Martin did not get more time at Sunderland, because he is a terrific manager.
“Since he was sacked, Paolo Di Canio has come and gone and now Gus Poyet is in charge.
“Poyet had a really good record at Brighton and hopefully he can bring some success to Sunderland and get them out of trouble.”
:: Jamie Lawrence’s autobiography, From Prison to the Premiership, will be published as a Kindle e-book in November.
Gus Poyet warns Sunderland players their derby places are in jeopardy
Gus Poyet is considering making changes for the Wear-Tyne derby, after admitting that none of hsi outfield players impressed in the Swansea debacle
Gus Poyet has warned his Sunderland players that their places are at risk for next weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby.
The new Black Cats boss was deeply disappointed at the way his side collapsed in the second half at Swansea City, which left him trying to explain away a 4-0 defeat in his first game in charge.
Only goalkeeper Keiren Westwood – who made a series of magnificent saves to keep the score down to four – came out of the game with any credit.
And, with Newcastle due on Wearside next Sunday for the derby, Poyet will consider making changes to the side that failed so dismally at the Liberty Stadium.
“I thought I picked the right team in the first half (at Swansea),” said Poyet.
“Now if you ask me, I am not so sure.
“I ask the players to play for their positions, I ask them not to give me the chance to make changes and pick others.
“Unfortunately, they gave me the chance to do whatever I like next week.
“And what a game it is next week!
“Now it is serious. It is a derby, we are at home and we have not won a game this season.
“So this is the time to start.”
Sunderland’s seventh defeat in eight games this season means they remain six points adrift at the foot of the Premier League, and Poyet insists he understands the urgency of the situation.
He wants his side to replicate their recent first-half performances – against Swansea yesterday, and in interim boss Kevin Ball’s final game in charge against Manchester United a fortnight ago – over a full 90 minutes.
He said: “The only thing we can do is work and work to extend that (first-half) performance to 90 minutes as soon as possible, because time goes past, games pass by and we are still at the bottom.
“Swansea couldn’t get through against us in the first half, but they kept going.
“And that is a style and a consistency that you need at any level, but we don’t have that.
“We need to start getting it quickly – very quickly.”