Bardsley’s payback to Sunderland fans

BORN-AGAIN Phil Bardsley admits he needed to re-pay supporters for his indiscretions after coming in from the cold under Gus Poyet.


Bardsley netted his second goal in as many games yesterday to secure a fourth successive Stadium of Light victory over Manchester City and hand Sunderland a huge boost in their battle for Premier League survival.

The full-back has started all of Poyet’s five games in charge after finding himself ostracised by former head coach Paolo Di Canio.

Bardsley was forced to train with the Under-21s during the summer and was made available for transfer after he was pictured celebrating in a casino following Sunderland’s successful quest to avoid the drop last season.

The 28-year-old then alienated supporters further by mocking Sunderland’s opening day defeat to Fulham on social media – comments that earned him a club suspension and fine.

But Bardsley received a warm ovation from the terraces at the final whistle yesterday after helping Sunderland to a third successive home win and a first top flight clean sheet of the campaign.

Bardsley told the Echo: “I’m just enjoying my football again and trying to play with a smile on my face.

“The reaction from supporters meant a lot.

“I let them down and it was up to me to repay them with performances on the football pitch.

“I’m trying to do that as much as I can and if I keep scoring goals and keep defending the way I have done in the last couple of games, hopefully I will do that.

“I know what this football club is all about.

“I’ve been here seven years now and to stay in the league is the most important thing.

“For me to be on top of my game, I hope that will help a lot.

“It was different circumstances that surrounded what happened (under Di Canio).

“But the manager has come in and brought me in from the cold and I’m enjoying myself.”

Bardsley admits he thought his Sunderland career was finished under Di Canio, but says he owes a huge debt of gratitude to Poyet for his faith.

“When you’re not playing and you’re out in the cold it’s difficult,” said the club’s longest-serving first-team player.

“It’s difficult for your family, for your friends.

“You ask anyone in football and when you’re not playing, you’re not happy. It’s as simple as that.

“I wasn’t playing and it looked like my Sunderland career was well and truly over, to be honest.

“The manager has brought me back and shown faith in me and I owe him a lot for doing that.

“I felt myself that I owed this football club even more and hopefully I can continue doing that.”

Bardsley’s first half goal gave Sunderland a deserved lead as the Black Cats again practised the possession-based philosophy which Poyet has tried to implement since arriving on Wearside a month ago.

And while Sunderland were forced to defend doggedly in the second half, Bardsley insists the players are relishing life under Poyet, with the Wearsiders now just three points adrift of safety.

“It’s a massive victory for us,” added Bardsley.

“We’ve been working hard on the philosophy the manager wants to play and we’ve been doing that.

“As much desire and commitment we’ve shown, when we had the ball, we showed great desire to pass it and move, and make angles.

“That’s exactly what the manager wants. His philosophy on football is fantastic and the lads are loving playing for him.”

 

I still believe that he is not a left back, although he done his damned best to prove me wrong yesterday..

 

Good to see the two United academy boys putting city in their place yesterday. Shame the current crop struggle so much against them.

Hopefully Wes Brown can stay fit for you lot, I reckon he'd still have been at United and playing regularly if it wasn't for his injury record. It's a massive shame he's had so many injury problems, Fergie loved him and reckoned he was the best English defender around when he was fit. That's a big thing considering he said that when Rio was probably at his best. The lad deserves a bit of luck and hopefully he'll get that now.

Bardsley will have loved that one being a Salford boy.

 

Along with Fletcher's fitness that's the key to our season .......... lose them and we have problems.

O'Shea was still out of position, too often, and he's a real concern.

 

He (Bardsley) certainly looked the part yesterday a determined 'man on a mission' against City ...motm IMHO

 

Despite some good performances he has to be mine ......... scored at one end and made endless blocks and a saving tackle at the other.

 

I was saying to a mate that it's gonna be the British core of players that get you out of the scrap and that's probably part of the reason Di Canio failed by either ditching them (in Bardsley's case) or not having them available for selection.

O'Shea didn't play too bad, I don't reckon he's ever had a nailed on position, he's just a floater. Never was fast enough to be an attacking right back and had no end product unlike Gary "Beckham Mk2" Neville (although he wasn't that quick either). The little exchange of play between him and Brown was great though, only lasted a few seconds and Niall Quinn was definitely ****ing over it at the time, but good stuff!

Whilst I'm here... What's you lot's thoughts on the very talented, awesome legend that is David Beckham being Knighted in the New Year's honours list? He splits opinion but for me this is fantastic, I love how he's being honoured and it's another medal that a United legend will have that Gerrard will never get.

 

In my opinion, Beckham is a credit to the game, and gets involved in many worthwhile causes outside of football (Olympics is one example), so I have no problem with him being knighted..

 

I think it was between Wes Brown and Bardsley for MOTM for me - Bardsley was excellent after his goal.

Talksports "Team News" before the game said "Man City make this change, that change, the other change. Sunderland have Wes Brown Starting" and that was it... I honestly think he listened to it and thought "Oh well, as I'm the only player we've got I'm going to have to put in a shift"!

Impressed with the team yesterday - I truly hope Altidore comes good but, up to now, he has done very little to impress me. He's a forward who never looks like scoring a goal. Occasionally wins headers - bigger than Heskey but easier to knock off the ball. Confidence player maybe and a goal might get him on track. Fletcher is a cracking player though

 

I marked Larsson down as my man of the match, but there were quite a few candidates who I wouldn't have begrudged receiving it..

 

Dunno like with that finish he could be an inside forward! MOTM for me with Wes Brown and the three central midfielders a close second

 

He's nowhere near finished repaying my like.

 

Hopefully he is one of many players what leave in the summer. never win me over.

 

This.