Cats boss needs the time, says Leadbitter

Apr 15 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

GRANT Leadbitter believes Sunderland need managerial stability and will reap the rewards of looking at the bigger picture and sticking with Ricky Sbragia.

The Black Cats face fellow strugglers Hull City at the weekend in a match that Leadbitter has billed as the club’s most important game since the 1998 Division One play-off final.

But, while the focus of the players and management is entirely on preparing for that crucial game, Sbragia’s own future has come under intense scrutiny after a run of seven games without a win.

One newspaper report on Tuesday claimed former West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley would be approached with a view to taking over at the Stadium of Light this week – a claim that was dismissed as “laughable” by senior sources at the club and drew indignation from Sbragia himself.

However, while the Scot will definitely be in charge for the visit of the Tigers, debate over his position is inevitable given the scale of Sunderland’s recent collapse.

Leadbitter sympathises with the frustration of supporters but believes criticism of Sbragia is short-sighted.

He believes the Black Cats should follow the example of Everton, who have established themselves as a top-six club under the long-serving David Moyes, and accept that there will be setbacks as they look to complete Niall Quinn’s Drumaville project.

“People are criticising Ricky, but six or seven weeks ago everyone was saying he’s brilliant. There’s ups and downs in football and people need to realise that. You can’t just jump on the bandwagon when things are going well and then start saying he’s no good when we lose,” said the midfielder.

“I understand people are frustrated because they thought we were going to be top 10 or something like that. People need to realise that while we’re improving, so are other teams.

“It could take us five, six, seven years to get to where we want to go. Look at David Moyes at Everton – he’s had time, he’s brought his own players in.

“They went through a sticky patch and he brought them through but they’re a top-six club now and it’s brilliant to see.”