Sponsored byMatt Kilgallon: If only Martin OâNeill had come sooner Matt Kilgallon. Published on Monday 2 April 2012 10:00 BORN-AGAIN Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon is relishing life under Martin OâNeill and wishes the new manager had arrived earlier in the campaign. But he says he is taking nothing for granted after finally establishing himself as a squad member and says that he and the rest of his team-mates must remember they are playing for their futures under the Northern Irishman. After playing a vital role in Sunderlandâs impressive performance at Manchester Cityâs Fortress Etihad in Saturdayâs 3-3 draw, Kilgallon said: âI just wish I could have had a chance before this manager. âI donât know what happened there, they just didnât seem to want to give me a fair chance. âBut the gaffer has come in and given everyone a clean slate to work off. I just try to play as well as I can. âIâve got another year left on my contract, but I have to play well in every game. âI canât think I can afford to have a bad game because the next time the team is read out I will not be in it. âI have to focus on what Iâm doing every game.â Kilgallon got his chance during Sunderlandâs injury crisis at the turn of the year, replacing Wes Brown as a sub in the 1-0 New Yearâs Day win over Manchester City and performed impressively enough to keep his place in victories over Wigan and Peterborough before injury forced him out against Chelsea. It was some comeback from a player who had become persona non grata under previous manager Steve Bruce and was expected to be propelled quickly out of the door even after the regime change. But Kilgallon has been completely rejuvenated under OâNeill and, on Saturday, typified Sunderlandâs spirit and togetherness. The former Sheffield United and Leeds defender revealed: âThe gaffer said before the City game that we can either go through the motions or really put our mark on this season in these last seven games. âThe lads all agreed with that and we are going to have to play every game like itâs the first game of the season. âThatâs the hope. âEveryone has to fight for their position. âNo-one can afford to go through the motions. âThe manager will remember how we end this season. âWe could have sulked after losing to Everton. âYou do yourself no favours if you sulk. âYou just have to get your head down and be ready for the next game. âI think we showed we were ready on Saturday.â
Got to like his attitude. MON's not settling for anything less than total commitment from the players. I hope the rest of them show the same spirit as Killa has.
Syd, I think everyone was crying out to see the lad play but then the same could be said about McClean as well. You'd have to ask Bruce why if didn't play either. I think we suffered badly when he went off on Saturday, as defensively, we were awesome us to his injury. Good luck to the lad and hopefully if can earn a new contract. Seen his interview on SAFC TV last night and if sounds a well grounded lad as well. Wonder what Mon could do with our forgotten Paraguayian world cup star? Mmm?
