Page 9 - 370167 LP253351 A Love Supreme Magazine - A5 48pp (Issue 260)

of pressure on you. So, if things aren’t going well, you feel it a lot more. I never really realised it until I went down to Sheffield. I was able to switch off a little bit because it wasn’t always there. I think that’s the thing for the local players. They’ve grown up around it”
And what about the players who have trav- elled to Sunderland from other countries; players like Edouard Michut and Jewison Bennette?
“When you’re bringing players in you need to make sure they’re the right fit for what you want and they’re adding something. Jewison was in- credibly highly rated and there was interest from other clubs in him too, so for Sunderland to get him is quite a coup really. It can be really tough for them, so you just need to make sure you’re supporting them in the right way. Giving them what they need. There may be language barriers to overcome and all sorts of things. I think it was after the Wigan game those photos emerged on social media of Jewison getting the bus home after the match. A lad has come across from the other side of the world and there he is getting the bus home having played at the Stadium of Light. To be fair, he’s not the first one to get the bus home, David Rush used to get the bus home as well! You just need to get the right support infra- structure around them so that they settle well.”
Asking these young players to fight what could be a relegation battle, are we sending in boys against men?
“It’s a massive ask. They have the tal- ent but it’s that strength both physically and mentally. I think they need to bring a bit of experience in now; maybe
one or two players. It’s like what I was saying about Callum Doyle, it’s a lot to carry over the course of a season”
The striker situation is what has led to our bad run of form, do we need another striker in the window?
“I’ve always said you need three or four strikers in the squad. Other clubs manage it without creating problems. We need to sign players who are hap- py to sit behind Ross Stewart knowing that he’s going to be first choice and there are plenty out there”
So, can we hold on to Ross Stewart in January?
“Thing is you look at that squad and just by being promoted those players are worth more. Everyone has their price and if the right bid comes in you can never say never. If someone you value at say £10m suddenly has a bid on the table worth £20m then you’re going to think about it. It’s just the way of the game. The supporters have a strong connection and don’t want their favourite player sold but that’s not how it works in football.”
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