For todays team... Martin O’Neill says the decision to recall troubled skipper Lee Cattermole to the side in Sunderland’s win at QPR was easy to make. And the Black Cats boss believes the captain has a key role to play in the weeks and months ahead in getting the best possible return from the Sunderland squad. The midfielder missed O’Neill’s first game in charge through suspension and there were question marks over whether he would return to the side after he and Nicklas Bendtner were arrested in connection with allegations of vandalism to cars in Newcastle earlier in the month. As it was though, O’Neill played both men at Loftus Road on Wednesday and was rewarded with tremendous performances. Bendtner scored on the night and had one of his best performances in a Sunderland shirt, while Cattermole was at his tenacious best in midfield. “It was an easy decision to make in bringing Lee back in,” said O’Neill. “It was not something I had to spend any length of time thinking about. “He’s a great player to have in your side and I think you saw that on the night against Queens Park Rangers. “He loves to tackle, loves to close down and he can pass well too. “More than that, though, is that great spirit he has in games and I think he’s a player who has that ability to bring out the best in those around him. “He’s had difficulties but his ability has never been in doubt. “It’s important that we make the most of it.” http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...tt_o_neill_hails_sunderland_skipper_1_4092508 Plus.... Sunderland striker Connor Wickham misses out on today’s game against Everton as he continues to recuperate from a knee injury. But manager Martin O’Neill says the prognosis is good for a swift recovery for the England Under-21 striker. Wickham was hurt challenging for a ball in the first-half of Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat at Spurs last Sunday and was substituted at half-time. The injury was reportedly minor and there was even talk of him being involved in this afternoon’s Boxing Day game.
Too many on these boards are ready to bin Catts but I have stated my support of him in the past. I think he could really become the player we always thought he could under MoN. He is a born winner (in the Kevin Ball mould) and a tenacious character. For every Luka Modric there are in the game, there also has to be a Lee Cattermole type too.A team full of Modric's wont win diddly but a team of Cattermoles could. However, as we are blessed with 3 or 4 players in that position, he could become surplus just as easy as he could become pivotal. Performances like QPR are what we need now Lee. Over to you son.
too reckless for me, and we have others in that position who i rate more, and who come without the baggage. that said, i do believe there is quite a good footballer in there, we just need to see it more often. also, i have to say whenever i've seen the lads get of the bus for away games, he always comes over to the fans to sign stuff and have a quick word, where he could easily disappear into the ground like the rest.
I'll be honest and admit that I was expecting great things from Catts when he first joined us and he started out pretty well. But under Bruce he lacked discipline and was a liability and i sort of went off him. Maybe MON can bring out the best in him and if he can i reckon we have a new player in the squad. I'm still to be convinced though but i sincerely hope he wins me over again.
That's more or less what I think about Lee too. He played very well against QPR and for once, I didn't mind him taking the yellow card for the team, because that was a dangerous attack building when he brought their player down. His lack of pace brings out the stupid tackles and inevitable yellow cards. If he can cut out the silly stuff and maintain the form he showed against QPR, he will have me back on side.
Lads got all the ammo, just needs to learn how to use it, but I dare say MoN can do something with him, possibly just a bit of good man management.
