Fletch was angry

STEVEN FLETCHER admits he was fuming after Gus Poyet’s decision to drop him from the Sunderland squad last month.


But Fletcher concedes that Poyet got the reaction he was looking for after the Sunderland frontman ended a nine-month goal drought to help the Black Cats secure their maiden Premier League victory of the campaign.

The Scotland international came back into the fold with a bang in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Stoke City after netting his first competitive goals since December’s draw at Cardiff City.

Three weeks ago, Fletcher found himself relegated both from the starting XI and the matchday squad against Spurs after drawing a blank in the opening three games of the campaign.

But Fletcher proved his point emphatically against the Potters, with the 27-year-old’s goal celebrations demonstrating his pleasure at silencing the doubters.


Fletcher told the Echo: “Obviously you want to play every game.

“If you’re not playing, you at least want to be on the bench.

“So I’m not going to say I was happy about it (being left out against Spurs). I was angry.

“But I think I’ve proven that I should have been somewhere near the squad, so hopefully that will continue.

“The manager wanted a reaction and he got a positive reaction, which was good.”

The ex-Wolves man added: “I was happy with the win and to get the goals as well was good.

“It’s been frustrating. Personally, I think I’ve been doing quite well in training, but when you’re not in the squads and stuff, it’s frustrating.

“You get a bit of stick don’t you? But I’m used to that now. I’m 27-years-old, I’ve had stick all my life.

“If you don’t score goals, you get stick. You’re not just going to take that.

“But I’m glad I’ve got off the mark. It’s been a long time coming with injuries and stuff.”

Fletcher’s inclusion saw Connor Wickham move to the left flank, but Poyet’s selection reaped significant rewards, with the two strikers making a goal for each other.

Charlie Adam cancelled out Wickham’s fifth-minute opener before Fletcher’s brace secured Sunderland’s first league win heading into the two-week international break.

“We need to create more chances, but we both created chances for each other on Saturday which was good,” added Fletcher, now with the Scotland squad ahead of Euro 2016 qualifiers against Georgia and Poland.

“But we saw that if we create chances, we’ve got strikers who can take them.

“When I first signed, we put crosses in the box a lot and obviously when the new gaffer comes in and changes the style, it’s difficult.

“But he is telling the wingers to put crosses in, so if we keep doing that, we’ll get goals.

“We’ve been putting in performances, but not getting over the line with the win. But on Saturday, everything came together for us.

“Obviously, going 1-0 up and conceding, it was good that we fought back to regain the lead. And then to get that third was great.”

 

Poyet should get the bugger annoyed every week I reckon. Obvious from his goal celebrations he was well fired up.

 

Great management by Poyet, last season AJ played his best football following a spell on the bench. The good news is we have other good players who can come in.

 

In my opinion for the money they are being paid they should need to be carried off the field at the end of a game

 

A good reaction and he deserves full credit for it. It's no good thinking you have a divine right to play - Altidore and Mandron aren't happy being left out either. Steven's taken it on the chin and hit back. Well done to him, I think.

 

Spot on

 

I was angry when our 12 million pound striker didn't score or even look interested for 10 month.


On a serious note he had a great game let's see more of the same before having a go at the fans

 

What was the "hands to the ears" thing like? Was that to do with the crowd getting on his back? Seems a little strange to me as he must surely know he was playing ****e which is why he got dropped. Very few of the crowd got on his back from where I sit (I don;t think anyone did with an ferocity) so not exactly sure what he's listening for

 

Garth Crooks team of the week.

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Seriously - Toure????? Did Garth Crooks only see 3 seconds of him having the shot he scored from? He looked way off the pace. I can think of most of our squad who should be there ahead of him - Wickham scored 1 and made 1 and played very well. Toure has 1 good kick in a game and gets in team of the week? Utter Bollocks.

He must have hated putting Fletcher in because he couldn't avoid putting him in with 2 goals and 1 assist!

De Gea, Henderson, Fabregas, Di Maria, Aguero and FLetcher deserve their places IMO - the rest are just there because of who they play for

 

You could see the out pour of emotion written all over his face when he netted his first goal..

 

If this is what he's like when he's playing footy, I wouldn't to meet him when he's having a **** day and a bit pissed.