Nice to see Ethan back training. His young legs and extra height in the middle will be a big plus for us next season.
Just hope he gets game Time! We are overrun in CM but have heard loads if good stuff about Robson. Seen him a few times vault onky really impressed once.
That's exactly who he was, but for TEN years with the same club. A club that had 10 managers over that same period. He provided the club with an identity. That's why he was offered that contract. He earned it. He shouldn't have had to deal with stewart trying to classify him as a Rodwell.
Stewart didn't try to classify him as a Rodwell did he? I'm pretty sure he said we didn't have to let Cattermole go. But the wages he was on were ridiculous for League 1. For what he earnt we could have been paying for about half a first team more than good enough to get us out of this league. As for 10 years, Gary Bennet, Gordon Armstrong, Dickie Ord, Michael Gray were all here for that length of time or longer. All were just as committed to the cause, three were local lads, all played in Sunderland sides that were arguably more successful (or at least more enjoyable). There wasn't this ridiculous outpouring of grief when they left. Maybe it's the social media age. Maybe it's just that we've been starved of proper heroes for so long.
Catts was too hit or miss in his form or had too many injuries to be counted a legend IMHO. Whilst I never doubted his commitment I am also not a great fan of Honeyman also a local lad with 100% commitment.. but only a modicum of talent... I am bemused why Ross still picks him
I get your train of thought here, but for all McGeady can have his downs, **** me he’s a match winner and a talent. I’ve had a mainly positive view of Catts, loved him under Bruce with Cana, won me over last season by knuckling in, but he’s never been a massive influence, football wise. His leadership is his strength, but we’ve far better footballers even as a 3rd tier club. I’m with you though, hope he gets a good move, Wednesday looks ideal, and hope he has a great end of career. He’s been a decent one for the most part.
A look back on Catts' time at Sunderland A.F.C. as reported by safc.com please log in to view this image It was announced earlier this week that Sunderland’s longest serving player, Lee Cattermole, was to leave the club after nearly 10 years. Over that time, the midfielder general has played for nine different permanent managers, made over 260 appearances, and scored 10 goals in what has been a rollercoaster journey. Rewind back to 2009, and Cattermole was brought in from Wigan Athletic by new boss Steve Bruce for a fee of around £6 million. At the time, Bruce said this of the signing: "Lee has everything that I like in a player, so I'm delighted to have brought him to Sunderland. "He is a terrific footballer. He is young, strong and has a real passion for the game that I'm sure our supporters will love. As a north-east lad, he understands what it means to represent a club in this region and will bring some real bite to our side. Lee is a great addition and will strengthen us through the spine of the team while creating real competition across midfield." Catts hit the ground running in his first season and built up a solid midfield partnership with Albanian Lorik Cana that helped to propel the Black Cats into European contention. An injury in November ruled him out for three months, and that theme of nagging injuries would persist throughout his tenure at the club. The 2009-10 season finished with the club sat comfortably in mid-table, and the expectation for the 2010-11 season was that the club would push into the top half. Catts again struggled with a back injury that campaign and played 24 matches in all competitions as the team finished 10th in the Premier League. His performances during his first two seasons at the Stadium of Light did not go unnoticed, and even Manchester City star Yaya Toure called Catts the most difficult opponent that he had faced since joining the English top flight. Big players like Jordan Henderson, Asamoah Gyan, Steed Malbranque and others left the club in the summer of 2011 as Bruce tried to change the dynamic of his squad. Unfortunately, that led to his departure and saw Martin O’Neill brought into the club, giving Sunderland A.F.C. a new lease of life. Catts featured heavily in the upturn of form that saw O’Neill’s men climb the league table. His performance against Manchester City on New Year’s Day typified what Cattermole was all about as he helped the Lads to the most unlikely of 1-0 victories. The following campaign was unfortunately more of a struggle for Catts as he suffered with injuries almost from the start, and was then ostracised by O’Neill’s replacement, Paolo Di Canio, along with a few other notable first team faces. However, the decision by the club to keep Cattermole would prove to be one of the best made that summer – as Gus Poyet was instilled as boss, and he gave Catts the chance to thrive as the anchor man to the Sunderland midfield, inspiring The Lads to a 2-1 win against Newcastle United in Poyet’s first win. The Capital One Cup Final in 2014 was another shining moment for Catts as he displayed the courage and passion that made him famous in red and white. His performances towards the end of the 2013-14 campaign were arguably the best of his career as Sunderland defeated Chelsea, Manchester United, West Brom and Cardiff City en route to a stunning great escape. Those performances were continued heading into the 2014-15 campaign as Catts showed himself to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His goal on the opening day of the 2014-15 season against West Brom was probably the sweetest of any that he scored in red and white. Arguably, his best ever performance in a Sunderland shirt came against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light as he marshalled the Lads to an impressive 0-0 draw. Unfortunately, the team struggled to win games and Poyet was replaced by Dick Advocaat. Catts’ performance against Arsenal away at the end of that campaign was instrumental in the team picking up the valuable points needed to stay in the Premier League. Sunderland again struggled during the 2015-16 season, but Cattermole was a continuing shining light, with his grit and determination often being the only reason that we were picking up points early doors. Sam Allardyce was brought into the club, and he put his trust in Catts to marshal the team towards another survival. His partnership with Jan Kirchoff and Yann M’Vila in midfield was arguably the best that we had during our 10-year stay in the top flight, and they were rock solid in our march to survival. The final three years of Cattermole’s Sunderland career saw the club fall from the Premier League to League one, but one thing could not be questioned in this time - Catts’ commitment to the club. He played through injuries that would have side-lined most, and he cemented his status as a Sunderland hero with his performances during the past season where he netted the highest goal tally of his career. Fans of the club will remember Cattermole as the heartbeat of a team that sustained itself in the Premier League for years – often against the odds. His commitment to the club and his passion for the region could never be questioned. Even I think that this makes Catts out to be a bigger 'hero' than he was, but the gist of it is a good testament to him, I believe
He was ok when fit and not suspended,when he came back from injury , too slow got booked, up to speed looked goood then two games in , injured or suspended, 200+ games in 10 year says it all, never got on the pitch enough and was inconsistent because of this, he had good games when all the boxes were ticked just not often enough, like the lad but players like that get you relegated hence no other fooker ever wanted him.
He was a player for us. Not necessarily a great one, but a good one for sure. 10 years of that is worth a bit of respect.
In my view he has given to the club hard work, honesty and passion. Never the most talented - and I’m sure he would be the first to admit that.... But he has grafted in the main and been the man to galvanize things when the odds were stacked against. I would like to thank him for his service and wish him the very best. I also believe it’s a good thing that he is going as it allows a new leader or two to emerge in the brand of a new identity for the club
Lets not forget we paid him well, screwed us for a 5 year contract which some idiot signed off. I couldn't take another season of watching him, but we're all different .
Rodwell was classified by all as a ****. He didn’t want to work to play games. Was happy to take the money. Donald championed Cattermole for his commitment and willingness to work. Financially he was no different to Rodwell but in playing terms and heart and love fir SAFC he is a million miles from Rodwell and I’ve seen nothing from Donald which says otherwise
Yep. That’s all his fault. He should’ve gone in and asked for £5k a week for a year rather than his massive salary. Just like you would if you were offered millions from an employer! Also you say in one post “like the lad” then in your next “couldn’t take another season of watching him” Make your mind up man
Hey good luck to him, my opinion is giving players like that those kind of deals is what got us into the mess we are in , bad management, not Catts fault, you'd think he hasn't been well rewarded for 10 year hearing some people. For me he was over rewarded as an injury prone, suspension hit journey man player. This loyalty bull so funny, no one in the Premier wanted him, thats why he stayed, all of them get touted by agents, they ALL go where the best deal is.
I'd agree that he was in a fortunate position with us because no one else in the Premier League would have touched him but the one thing that you can't fault about him was his commitment. He did seem to really care.
You are absolutely right, regarding work ethic, but stewart donald did, IMHO, try to classify Catts with Rodwell from the absolute start, sowing the seeds for an inevitable separation. Here is a quote from about a year ago: “We had the Jack Rodwell scenario, but there’s a difference,” he admitted, during an interview on the Roker Report podcast. “Yes, Lee is in the same financial bracket, but his attitude is completely different. “So we need to find a resolution for it, but we need to be fair to him. “Whilst we’re trying to find a resolution, you can’t ask for more of him. He’s been a really good pro.” And the resolution was: Catts is gone along with £35 million in parachute money.
But in that quote he's said himself that there's a difference. Cattermole didn't down tools so, while he was expensive, he continued to contribute. Ultimately though, he was too expensive for us to continue with him in the 3rd division. Its best for the club that he leaves, no matter what your opinion of him as a player. And the parachute money has been used to stabilise the club.
