Cats have power to pull in top stars

Apr 30 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

IN the four months since he joined, Andy Reid believes Sunderland’s players have changed the perception of the club but the Irish midfielder warned the excitement the Black Cats have generated must be the start rather than the end of their mission.

Saturday’s 3-2 win over Middlesbrough confirmed the Wearsiders’ place in next year’s Premier League, a huge achievement for a club which has changed division four times in the last five years.

Reid, who joined the club from Charlton Athletic in January, believes avoiding relegation has massively increased their pulling power.

“It has changed already but to get a second successive season that inevitably will help as well,” said the Republic of Ireland international. “The manager (Roy Keane) has a reputation because of who he is and that will help him to attract the players as well.

“It’s important the manager brings in the right type of players. We need players who will gel in with the team spirit and into the way we play. The manager will know that.

“We know at times the passing has not been pretty when things have not been going well. There have been flashes, though, of the football the manager wants us to play. We have not done that all of the time but it’s a progressive thing. We have to win games by playing football and that’s what we want to do.

“All top players want to play in the Premier League and we can offer that here next year. The fact we are in there gives us the pulling power. This club also has the fan-base, the facilities. It’s all important. The manager has always stressed, even when I was thinking about coming here, that this club does everything professionally.

“From the facilities, to the travelling arrangements for matches, everything is done properly. As players we couldn’t want any more. It’s staggering how professional this club is. That’s from the men and ladies in the offices right through to us guys on the pitch. When the manager looks at attracting the top players, they should have no bother tuning into that because this is a top, top club.”

While some will see staying up as a major achievement, Keane was typically loathe to get carried away by it. Reid, though, did not want to dampen the supporters’ euphoria.

“It’s a base, it’s a start and the manager is keen to stress that,” said the former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur winger. “This gives us a little bit of stability and an opportunity to kick on because we have another year to move on.

“The main thing for the club and the supporters is it is exciting. Everyone connected with Sunderland should be optimistic. There is a great opportunity to kick on because it’s a great club with a lot of good players who are all desperate to succeed.

“Even the lads in the youth team have proven there are some really good lads coming through. Optimism should be sky high and it is.”

Meanwhile, the Black Cats will wear their new home strip in the final home game of the season, against Arsenal.

As well as giving them a glimpse of the 2008-09 kit, chairman Niall Quinn is anxious to repay the fans for their support this term. “The Arsenal game will be a great opportunity for us the say thank you to the fans for the amazing backing they have given us this season,” he said.

“I know many fans will want to be among the first, along with the players to have our new shirt for the occasion. It’ll be great to see fans wearing the new 2008-09 shirt as we say goodbye to this season and look ahead with excitement to the next one.”

Defenders Danny Collins and Danny Higginbotham were both named in the Actim team of the week for their performances against the Teessiders.