Apologies if seen before but new to me. DALGLISH! Kenny Dalglish on Paolo Di Canio: Why Sunderland's new manager deserves a chance to show his good side 6 Apr 2013 08:06I didn't see any mention of the FIFA Fair Play award he won for stopping a game when he could have scored among all this week's negative stories. Iâve only met Paolo Di Canio once, at a UNICEF match, and I found him a respectful, decent guy.He was very patient and helpful towards everyone there, and I was impressed with him as an individual.Heâs had a lot to deal with this week, following his appointment as Sunderland boss, with accusations that heâs a fascist.Despite all the allegations that have been thrown at him about his support for fascim, one that hasnât been mentioned was when he won a FIFA Fair Play award in 2001.He stopped the game when he had the chance to score for West Ham, because Evertonâs keeper was down injured.It was a really sporting gesture, but Iâve not seen any mention of that anywhere this week, among all the negative stuff about him.Iâm not a politician and I would never get involved in politics, because I donât know enough about it to pass judgment.But from a footballing point of view heâs someone whoâs very engaging, heâs different, he was a brilliant player and he has his own personality, which is fantastic.Di Canio turned things round at Swindon and now he has his chance at the Stadium of Light.He wears his heart on his sleeve, but whoâs to say he wonât succeed there?Whether his appointment will be enough and whether Sunderland were right to get rid of Martin OâNeill when they did, time will tell.Look at the teams that went down last year â Blackburn and Bolton stayed with their managers and went down.Wolves sacked Mick McCarthy, promoted his No.2 Terry Connor, and were still relegated. So who knows whether Sunderlandâs gamble will work?But one thingâs for sure â they arenât down yet.There are three teams below them and, if itâs like that at 6pm on the last day of the season, everyone there will be delighted.It means they will have achieved their objective of staying up and the decision to appoint Di Canio will have been vindicated.http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/kenny-dalglish-paolo-di-canio-1814527 TERRY! 'I can only speak highly of him': Paolo Di Canio is 'a real nice guy' says Terry 5 Apr 2013 15:30"Very fair, very passionate, as weâve seen with his character, and his ability was fantastic," says the Chelsea skipper. John Terry has given Paolo di Canio a glowing character reference. Chelsea captain Terry says the new Sunderland boss was an inspiration to him when he was growing up as a young player. Di Canio has been under the spotlight following his appointment at Sunderland caused massive controversy because he has previously admitted to being a fascist. Terry said: âHe was just a real nice guy, I found on the pitch. Always he spoke to me after games and said âlisten, maybe you should do this and do thatâ which was really nice at the time. âI was only young when I was playing against him when he was at West Ham and sides like that. âI had the likes of Zola and these guys teaching me every day, but from an opposition player it was quite nice to get that. âHe always gave a battle. If there was a little tussle, heâd get up and shake your hand after. That kind of thing. "Very fair, very passionate, as weâve seen with his character, and his ability was fantastic. Real tough to play against. He was a credit and I can only speak highly of him.â Di Canio is facing a big fight to turn things around, but Terry believes the Italian can keep Sunderland up. Terry added: âI think heâll show passion. Iâve read a few things - heâs told them, âTell your wives and your families itâs going to be a lot of long days and hard workâ. "I think thatâs what they need because theyâre a great club. Theyâve got a great set-up there and a great set of fans as well. âThe players are really good as well. Itâs surprising to see them down there, when weâve seen them fight for so many years. Theyâll certainly be fighting and coming here hoping to pick up something. âItâs going to be really tough. Obviously a new manager has come in, a fantastic player he was as well. "Heâs certainly going to have them up for it. You could see how well organised Swindon were over the short period of time he was there. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/john-terry-says-paolo-di-1813567
