No quotes in this article, so to be taken with a pinch of salt Sunderland owner Ellis Short will do his homework before appointing Paolo Di Canio's successor. The Texan businessman has drawn up a list of potential replacements for the 45-year-old Italian with former Brighton manager Gus Poyet having emerged as the leading candidate. However, Short, having been forced to relieve Di Canio of his duties after just 175 days and only 13 games, is determined to get it right this time around. As a result, he will iron out any potential problems before he makes an appointment, and have a series of contingencies in place. Reports from Italy have suggested Poyet has all but got the job, but Press Association Sport understands that while the Uruguayan is currently the preferred option - bookmakers William Hill were quoting him as a 1/6 favourite on Wednesday - no concrete decision has yet been taken. As a result, development coach Kevin Ball, who threw his own hat into the ring after Tuesday night's 2-0 Capital One Cup third round victory over Peterborough, will continue at the helm as the Black Cats prepare for Sunday's Barclays Premier League visit of Liverpool to the Stadium of Light. Asked how long he expected to remain in his interim role after the game, Ball said: "At this moment in time, until Sunday. "They asked me to take tonight and Sunday. If anything changes between now and Sunday for whatever reason, so be it, but at the moment, I believe it is until Sunday, and then obviously we will take things from there. "I would like to think we will talk sometime tomorrow to have a chat about how things are going. "I know it sounds a cliche, but you talk about one game at a time and I don't think I can do anything more than that. We will just wait and see what happens." However long his time in the limelight lasts, Ball will at least be able to reflect upon a successful start. Having been asked to wade into the mess left behind by Di Canio, the former Black Cats midfielder managed to mobilise a dressing room left shell-shocked by the excesses of the Italian's brief reign to produce the most convincing performance of the season to date, albeit against opposition they were expected to beat comfortably. Ball handed former captain Lee Cattermole, who had been discarded by the former Swindon boss in pre-season, a central role and asked summer signing Emanuele Giaccherini to play in the hole behind lone striker Jozy Altidore. The pair combined to good effect with 32 minutes gone to give their side the lead, the Italy international firing home from the midfielder's cross, and victory was secured 17 minutes from time when substitute Valentin Roberge headed home a second goal. Ball was particularly pleased with Cattermole's contribution after working with the 25-year-old in pre-season following his exile to train with the under-21s. He said: "What I enjoyed most about him was seeing his professionalism and how he went about things, how he did things and how he demanded from the under-21s. "Sometimes, I have to say, it put a little smile on my face because it reminded me of when I played. "You could see some of the under-21s probably thinking, 'He's having a go'. But I said, 'Listen boys, that's what you have got to accept. He's not having at go at you to have a go at you, he's pushing, he's demanding from you'. "When you saw Lee on the pitch, bearing in mind he hasn't played 90 minutes for a long period of time, he put in a very accomplished performance, along with a fabulous ball for the goal, and he drove people on. "But that was one of many good performances." Indeed, it was the collective effort rather than those of individuals which pleased Ball after a traumatic 48 hours on Wearside. He said: "All I can talk about is since I stepped into the breech, so to speak. They displayed a lot of confidence yesterday in training, they worked very hard, they were very professional and you have to give them credit." If Ball gets a decent result from the next couple of games, then he should be given 10 games to prove himself.However, whatever happens, he should be retained by Short even if another "head coach" is brought in.
Not the time to fanny around. We're in the **** and need a manager to help the players get themselves out of it. Give him the job or don't.
Was going to reply to your question, then I just checked the next 4 games and what a bastard they are to judge a potential manager on. Even if we got mourhinio or SAF in as manger, how many points could we expect/hope to get from Liverpool (H), Man U (H), Swansea (A) and Newcastle (H) ? "Here you go <insert new manager name here>, we want you to instill confidence in the team and get some points on the board by the end of october. DO you fancy taking the job on?" we'd have to give Ball until the end of November to get a good view on his potential as the manager, and if it doesnt work out then nearly half a season has gone already.
I say give Bally a chance, if he's nothing else, he's definitely a winner, also he knows the club, it's supporters and he must know the players strengths and weaknesses surely. To me it would be pointless appointing anyone before the next two games, the players shouldn't need firing up for these two, all that is needed is good team selection and substitutions if and when required, easier said than done I know but I'm sure Bally would be well up for it.
My heart says that after all his good work with the Under21 squad, Bally deserves a chance, my head says that sentimentality rarely succedes in the EPL. I'd hate to see him get off to a bad start and end up being run out of the club, if you cut him he would bleed red & white and run through walls for us if he had to, but just don't think he's the man to get us out of this **** we're in. Would love to see him sitting on the bench as a number 2 though.
Agree. There's no guarantee that Poyet or di Matteo are the answer and Bally is working from the inside. There's 33 games to get, say, 36 points so I wouldn't rush the decision, as time is still on our side.
well...looks like i'm the only one who thinks we should appoint a manager ( a suitable one) as soon as possible. No offence to Bally, but I truly fear that if we give the guy a run of games and it goes tits up (like last time) the chances of us securing a decent manager becomes harder than it is right now.
The only manager we have been linked with so far, who I would say was proven to be decent at premier league level is Di Matteo. With Ball saying he wouldnt mind the job, if Short tells him no I hope he will stay on but fear he will leave for a 1st team coaching job somewhere else.
I love this part of Bally's quote - comparing Cattermole to himself and Catts has (at times) reminded me of Bally who was never a massively gifted footballer but was a natural leader - I see that in Catts and hope he stays fully fit for the season and we'll see what a good player he is
Bally toying with the Mags. [video=youtube;efZA1NK1Wgw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efZA1NK1Wgw[/video] Inch perfect
