Lee Cattermole has scrapped his summer holidays to boost his bid to be fit for the start of next season. And the determined Sunderland skipper hopes he will not be feeling under par too much longer after also shelving plans to hit the golf course at the end of the campaign. Cattermole handed boss Paolo Di Canio a big injury boost by revealing he hopes to be fit for the new season in August after knee surgery. The Black Cats' no-nonsense skipper insists heâll be back in time for the start of pre-season training in June - even if it means disrupting his hopes of a relaxing summer. The 25-year-old has made just 10 Premier League starts this term, and only one since November. The injury-plagued former England Under-21 midfielder and was ruled out for the rest of the campaign after going under the knife last month. He revealed: âItâs no golf or summer holidays for me, but Iâll look forward to getting back next season. âIâve got another couple of weeks on the crutches then hopefully Iâll be back in full training when the lads come back for pre-season. âMy operation went well and my kneeâs in good condition. I was getting pain there when I was playing and it wouldnât go away so I decided to get it done.â
Alfie's performances have been spot on the last couple of games. Catts place isn't guaranteed now we've got a new midfield enforcer .
depends how he returns from injury, cant knock ndaiye at the minute, putting in sterling performances
We need both Alfie and Catts. Catts will not stay fit and will also get suspension. The same will happen to Alfie too. I think they could even play together too. All good news.
I think Catts will play instead of Larsson and Alfie further up the field personally (or instead of McClean and Larsson on the wing) - Either way he's first choice in CM if he plays like he did this season
Catts back will push Alfie harder with increased competition, Catts is easily replaceable (Sorry Catts lovers). I have nothing against having him in the squad but we should only use him in games where we probably wont have much of the ball against the Arsenals/City/United/Chelsea etc where his workrate will be an advantage.
People went on about Gordon being made of glass, but is Cattermole any better? Can any one tell me if one season has gone by where Catts hasnt had a serious injury?
I'd say N'Daiye is the better player imo, as he keeps his head and hasnt made any stupid tackles (at least up until now). The way he tracked the everton player back, just keeping next to him and stopping sending a pass/cross into our box was excellent. If it was catts doing that, I'd have been waiting for him to stick his foot in and pick up a yellow card
Agree N'Diaye is a better box to box footballer but this is why Him and Catts will work wonders (as I said, if Catts comes back as the player we saw for snippets fo this season) Catts in front of the back 4 and Alfie running the show a little further forward - Catts can win the ball and give it to Alfie to play football (although Catts passing improved immensely this season!) For me Catts (as I say, form permitting) is still one of the first names on the teamsheet - if he comes back and plays poorly then he doesn't play end of!
We havent missed Cats as much as we have missed PDC. Can Cats play it forward in PDC'S attacking, pressing the opposition style,with fast forward runs and passes expected now from our midfield? I hope fat Brucie comes in with a £6m offer for Cats,as I think LC wont be able to provide the quality and drive forward required.LC can defend doggedly blocking etc when he is on form,but lacks everything else needed-unless its all Brucie's and MON's fault. A question-have our other midfielders,including JorDan Henderson and Jack C. been held back and not allowed to show forward play abilities and with nobody to pass to by the previous mismanagers. I wonder about JC the lad has a real footballers brain -am sure ginger Jack has real talent and that PDC will bring out the best from him.
Each to their own but I saw a totally different Lee Cattermole to you Solman. He played an array of passes in a few of the games this season that Gerrard would've been lauded for. Cross field, through balls and some thoroughly good passing play. KLept the ball moving well. I think we've missed him massively this season. All about opinions but I personally think he'll be a very big player for us next season alongside N'Diaye I Doubt Ellis will sell him for £6m as he has just offered him a new contract which has 3 or 4 years left to run. I also still can't work out why there has to be someone (who hasn't played for the current manager due to injury) who we have to get rid of or who we hope gets bought by someone - personally I hope he's here long term - as I said - on this seasons (albeit very short term) form
