http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/vito-mannone-goal-sunderlands-no-5583630 Newcomer Vito Mannone has thrown down the gauntlet to Keiren Westwood as the pair battle to inherit Sunderland’s number one shirt. Republic of Ireland international Westwood was expected to succeed Simon Mignolet as the Black Cats’ first-choice keeper following the Belgian’s £8m move to Liverpool. And when Mannone arrived from Arsenal in a £1.5m deal, 25-year-old was widely viewed as cover for Westwood. But new head coach Paolo Di Canio has started his fellow Italian Mannone in every one of Sunderland’s four pre-season games so far, with Westwood restricted to just two 45-minute substitute appearances. Mannone has made no secret of the fact that he has moved to Wearside to improve his chances of first-team football, after playing just 15 Premier League games in eight years with the Gunners. “Of course, I want to play and I think I will have more chances to do that here at Sunderland than I had at Arsenal,” said the former Italy Under-21 international. “But Keiren is a very good goalkeeper and it is up to us to challenge each other and give the manager a difficult choice to make.” Westwood has admitted that he would have had to leave this summer had Mignolet not moved on, as he had found it impossible to dislodge his rival and had seen his lack of action cost him his international place. But the 28-year-old is now facing a new challenge from Mannone. He said: “The last two seasons have been very tough for me and after spending so long in Simon’s shadow, I want to get back to playing again. “But I won’t be taking anything for granted. Vito has been signed to challenge me and it is up to me to meet that test head on.” Mannone played the entire 90 minutes against Swiss side FC Chiasso in a behind- closed-doors friendly during Sunderland’s training camp in Italy, and also lasted the distance against Spurs in the Barclays Asia Trophy last month. The pair shared the duties against a local select XI out in Italy, and in the final of the BAT against Manchester City last weekend. All eyes will now be on Di Canio’s selection for Wednesday’s friendly against Danish side FC Midtjylland, which will be Sunderland’s dress rehearsal for their Premier League opener against Fulham a week on Saturday.
Most bizarre thing, wandering around Tesco in Gateshead yesterday and bumps into a wee fella, it was Giaccherini. I apologised,shook his hand said 'amo sunderland benvenuto', he smiled and started speaking Italian, haha. 'Sorry, I am English', little chuckle. Vito was with him, big lad but not as big as he looks, funny, both were with their women (surprisingly average looking, both of them) and both had kids too. Giaccherini is a midget, has a Tattoo of some lettering down his calf, looked significant by the font, but can't recall the lettering, he's tiny, but he is built to ****, really heavy chest and shoulders. They seemed very happy and relaxed, and had an incredible amount of stuff in their trolleys, hungry familia. I was a bit bewildered after, Tesco Gateshead indeed, must be staying at the Baltic.
Why were you taking his pants off? As the g/k, wait till the Fulham game, it may seem like PDC has made his mind up already, but has he?
if he was that good i think he would have got more games at arsenal as they arent blessed with goalkeeping talent
