please log in to view this image SUNDERLAND skipper Lee Cattermole found it a real choker when Martin O’Neill took over at the Stadium of Light. And it had nothing to do with the strong bond he had with previous manager Steve Bruce. Cattermole was tipped to lose the captaincy, especially after getting in trouble with the police over an alleged car wrecking spree within days of O’Neill’s arrival. The 23-year-old, however, hit it off with his new gaffer and soon rediscovered his top form, which had *deserted him for much of the season. But his man-of-the-match display in the New Year’s Day win over Manchester City had painful results for Cattermole when his boss raced on to embrace him at the final whistle. “He gave me the tightest headlock ever,” said the combative midfielder. “I was shattered, trying to get my breath back. He just said, ‘Well done, absolutely brilliant. You’ve got a heart like a lion’. “He was happy with me and we all know what *happened in the first week, when I didn’t get off on the right foot. But he has been brilliant.” The Black Cats are *favourites to beat their neighbours Middlesbrough on Sunday and reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2004. For proud Teessider Cattermole, it will be a huge day against his former club, who are skippered by best mate Matthew Bates. Well there's no other news...
