Noooooooo

04 September 2013 8:30 | By Chris Young

DAVID VAUGHAN is relieved to be back in Sunderland’s starting line-up after a summer of speculation over his future.

But the Welsh international acknowledges that his contribution must improve, with Paolo Di Canio’s midfield options boosted by the arrival of on-loan Swansea man Ki Sung-Yeung.

Vaughan, in the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light, was the subject of an enquiry from newly-promoted Crystal Palace during the summer.

It is thought the 31-year-old was willing to take a pay cut to move to Selhurst Park and secure a reunion with his former Blackpool manager Ian Holloway. But the deal never materialised, with Sunderland holding out for the £1million asking price they had placed on Vaughan’s head.

Vaughan has started Sunderland’s last two games though and, with the transfer window now shut, he hopes to make the most of his opportunity in Di Canio’s side.

He told the Echo: “Obviously, there’s been a lot of speculation over my future and stuff during the summer.

“But I just want to be playing football.

“I’m pleased to be back in the team at Sunderland, but hopefully I can improve on the performances from the last couple of games.”

Vaughan was one of the few Sunderland players singled out for praise by Di Canio after last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Palace – a result which left the Black Cats as one of only three Premier League sides without a victory heading into the international break.

The midfielder, with the Welsh squad ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Macedonia, admits Sunderland have been the architects of their own downfall after conceding from set-pieces in each of their opening three top-flight outings.

And he knows Sunderland need to hit the ground running again when the Premier League resumes against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday week.

“We’ve got to try to pick ourselves up and get some points on the board quickly,” added Vaughan.

“The international break has come at a bad time, at the start of the season. But it gives us a break mentally and hopefully we can come back fresh for the Arsenal game.

“We got ourselves back into the game at Palace, but we seem to be making things difficult for ourselves at the minute. To concede a second and third goal like that, was obviously very disappointing.

“We need to stop conceding poor goals from set pieces, try to get on top of games early on and just give ourselves a chance really.

“We seem to be switching off at the crucial times.

“We should be doing better than that.”

 

It's disappointing the move never materialised but clubs can't just expect other clubs to just give their players away. What world do Palace live in?

 

One where they wouldn't have paid £5 million for Graham?

 

the most disturbing thing is this quote: "Vaughan was one of the few Sunderland players singled out for praise by Di Canio after last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Palace "

i fookin hope not. he was so far off the pace tracking back (and he hardly got that far forward to start with) it was embarassing.. ffs

 

He's a decent squad player and I'm expecting a real effort in both cups this season.

Players like Vaughan are great to have as 'fillers' in various positions .... with a bit of encouragement he could play a role this season.

If Di Canio has praised him that may be the famous 'arm around the shoulder' that some people are asking for.

 

i'd have preferred a boot up the arse....and out the door, personally.

 

but does his wages match his squad status?

 

surely you can't compare paying too much for someone elses player to teams expecting to you to give yours away for nothing. It's opposite in every way.

 

IIRC he came on a free and scored at SJP, that's worth a few quid whatever his wages are although I've no idea what they are.

What I'm saying is that, of we can't shift him we should make the most of him against the likes of Peterborough ..... I'd forgive anyone anything for a trip to Wembley.
He's not the worst player we've had recently by quite a distance.

 

Di Canio won't see Vaughan in his long term plans but he does have him for the season

He gets slated when he has a go at players for performances. He knows what he's doing

He feels Vaughan is best motivated by a kinder approach

 

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't ....... seems some people just want to moan no matter what.

Some people claim players are 'frozen out' then want to do that with players they don't like.

I'm not a massive fan of Vaughan but, ffs, he's not the worst player in the Premier League by a long way ....... if we're paying him at least get summat out of him.

After all, he scored one of our goals of the season didn't he ........

 

I can't understand why they didn't just let him go. If he's on 20k a week then that's near on a million for the season. At 31 he could have been on a final pay day with Palace. We could have used his wages to bring in another loanee or a kid or two.

 

We got him for nothing - he's in the last year of his contract - he wasn't worth a million - who said that Palace wanted him for nothing?

He was overvalued. So was Graham.

 

Perhaps the club believe he can play a part this season ........ he's an experienced player with an eye for goal.

 

And worth having as a squad player - look at how thinly stretched our squad has been in the recent past.

Too many squad players have been let go without thought of replacement.

 

I agree. Palace didn't meet his low asking price so **** em.

 

Only one person in the world thought he was worth that much - and he's on the dole now!