Very clickbaity headline: Pierre Ekwah’s response Sunderland fans will love amid Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace transfer links https://www.sunderlandecho.com/spor...ce-transfer-links-after-west-ham-move-4513662 Pierre Ekwah discusses his first year at Sunderland after leaving West Ham and conversations with head coach Michael Beale. By Joe Nicholson Pierre Ekwah says Sunderland is the perfect place for his development and that he’s really enjoying life on Wearside amid reported interest from elsewhere…. When asked if he still believes it’s the best place for his development, he told the Echo: “Oh yeah, 100 per cent. Like I said the last time we spoke, I’m definitely happy here. For my development as a person and as a footballer it’s the perfect place. I’m really enjoying myself and you can see it out there that a lot of people are enjoying themselves, that’s for sure.” Ekwah has moved back into a more advanced midfield position under Michael Beale, who was appointed at the end of December. The Frenchman says he’s enjoyed chatting with Beale about tactical information and previous experiences after an eventful 12 months in the North East. “We were talking about my past and all this, about where I've been and things like that,” replied Ekwah when asked about his conversations with Beale. “When the new gaffer came in he introduced himself and at the same time we introduced ourselves to him. Knowing the background of everyone I think is great and he's done a great gesture and I appreciate that.” Asked what he’s learnt over the past year, Ekwah, with a beaming smile on his face, said: “A lot. I came from West Ham playing under-21s first of all. Can you do it in front of 40,000? Just little things like that. If I’m sitting here telling you what I’ve learnt it would maybe take like an hour or two, but I’ve definitely learnt a lot. “I think you can see in my game, each game I’m trying to develop something else. When you have different coaches for your development you learn something new. I think Michael Beale the gaffer right now is teaching me something new for sure.” He added: “I went from 21s to the Championship and went to the play-offs in like not even a year's time. Obviously now I’m playing week in, week out and you just have to stay ready at any time because it’s a long season, it’s challenging. There are a lot of games. “When you are chasing you can’t really get complacent because you need to be at it every time, like we’ve seen. If you are not at it, the other teams will be and will run you down. You just have to be at it all the time. It is obviously a pleasure to play for this club and play week in, week out because that’s obviously what I wanted.”
Always comes across as really likeable level headed lad in his interviews. Another nod to the recruitment and getting the right "character" of player as much as how they can play! I can't think of a player in the squad who doesn't have a top class attitude?
I always console myself with that thought when we don't sign players I think would improve us. And when we lose a player like Pritchard who didn't seem to have too much respect for the kids.
What a man! I expect Pierre and Luke are probably the class clowns in the squad. Always goofing around and taking the piss. He is such a likeable guy and the epitome of a player playing with a smile on his face. Love him! (not in a gay way)
Nice to see a 'left footer' who can strike a ball as well as this lad, his smile is infectious and he's not the only one in the squad that's got one at present.
Read another article, where Monsieur Ekwah says that Sunderland and the club feel like home now. Recruitment is doing a fine job getting players in with the right character not just skills and ability. Love that me. Obviously we'll end up losing some players, but I doubt we'll end up with journey men coming here just for the money and putting themselves in a shop window.
