Steven Fletcher gives fans three reasons to smile

STEVEN FLETCHER reckons there are three reasons to be cheerful for Sunderland fans who only a few weeks ago may have regarded relegation from the Premier League as a foregone conclusion.
Last season’s top scorer says the arrival of Gus Poyet on Wearside has given the players an extra spring in their step, resulting in three wins from their last four league and cup games. Two other factors have also handed Sunderland a boost, Wes Brown’s return from a two-year injury lay-off and Jozy Altidore’s continuing improvement.

Scotland international Fletcher played a leading part in Sunderland’s last match, the 1-0 victory over Manchester City, which leaves Poyet’s side just three points behind fifth-from-bottom West Ham.

Fletcher said: “The level of confidence we displayed against City was as a result of the way we performed just a few days previously against Southampton. Football is like that. All of a sudden there is a bit of confidence and belief amongst the boys. We got the points against City and nobody can say we didn’t deserve them. Hopefully it’s an omen and we can keep that sort of performance going and more importantly that sort of run of results.”

As for the ‘Poyet effect,’ Fletcher was full of praise for the new Sunderland boss, who took over from the axed Paolo Di Canio.

“The manager wants us to keep the ball a lot more and we know if we do that we are not going to get rolled over by other teams. We have certainly done that a lot more in our last couple of games and we’ve got some decent results with those tactics.

“It’s been great for myself under the new boss. I’ve had a few problems with injuries and he has really looked after me so I’m very grateful. He is very enthusiastic and he comes in with a happy smile on his face, as do his assistants. It’s good to see that at the training ground every day and does help because it gives everyone a lift.

“We were quite a direct team only a few months ago, but we know we have the type of players who can keep the ball, so why not use that? We have shown we know how to pass the ball about. Look at Wes Brown at the back. He’s one of the best passers of a ball I’ve played with and he can bring it out from defence and find the right pass. He was fantastic against City and showed what a great defender he is.
“Wes won everything there is to win at Manchester United. He has showed in just a couple of games that he is just class. He would be very important to any side, so we have to hope he can enjoy a string of games because he would make a difference to any team at any level.”

Fletcher’s strike partner Altidore has yet to score in the Premier League this season following his £6.5million summer move from AZ Alkmaar, but had a hand in the winning goals against Newcastle United and the Saints.

“Jozy is a 100 percent committed player every time and the goals will definitely come,” said Fletcher. “He is the sort of player who you know every time he goes on the pitch will give everything and that’s what we need right now. Jozy will want to score a few more goals as all strikers do, but the important thing is he is contributing and in his last few games he has been one of our best and most consistent players.”

Sunderland skipper John O’Shea admits the last few months at Sunderland have involved a rollercoaster of emotions, but under Poyet the club is now beginning to settle.

“It has been interesting to say the least, but the classic cliché is nothing surprises you in football,” said the defender, who has just earnt his 93rd and 94th caps under new Irish boss Martin O’Neill. “The manager is slowly but surely getting his message across. It will take a bit of time, but you saw glimpses against Southampton in terms of us trying to keep the ball that bit more and make teams works harder to get the ball. It’s all well and good saying it’s going to be seamless but you know it’s not, it never is.”

 

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