Gordon expecting Cats to strengthen with influx of top talent

May 2 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SUNDERLAND’S players are already bracing themselves for another batch of signings having seen the part January’s arrivals played in securing their Premier League status.

The Black Cats were in grave danger of dropping out of the top flight at the turn of the year until Phil Bardsley, Jonny Evans and Andy Reid inspired a much-improved second half of the campaign. With that in mind, goalkeeper Craig Gordon expects more new faces when the transfer window opens again this summer.

“It was important to get a few more players in during the (2007) summer, then we got good quality (players) in to improve the team in January,” the club’s record signing reflected. “They’ve played a big part in the second half of our season. I think we will be able to compete for the best players.

“I’m sure the manager is already looking for players he wants to bring in. We have to try to improve the quality of the squad and that’s the only way we’re going to climb up this league and perform at the next level.”

Of those signed in January, only Swedish striker Rade Prica and French defender Jean-Yves M’voto have failed to consistently make a positive impact. But Prica scored on his debut in a crucial win over relegation rivals Birmingham City, while 19-year-old M’voto was not bought with a view to playing first-team football this term.

Evans’ impact was highlighted when he was voted the Black Cats’ young player of the year by the club’s supporters’ association. His central defensive partner Nyron Nosworthy has looked more assured alongside the Ulsterman.

Pairing them midway through last season had a dramatic effect on Sunderland’s form and history has repeated itself, the Wearsiders conceding just 10 goals in the 13 games they have played together.

“I think the players we signed in January have improved the squad, they’ve improved the competition for places,” said Gordon. “Whether the new players have improved those who were already here is for outsiders to judge. Nuggsy (Nosworthy) is a good player and regardless of who’s alongside him he’s going to be in the team most weeks because he’s a solid defender. He had a good partnership with Jonny last season. They knew an awful lot about each other and how they played.

“We’ve had a settled back four up until the last couple of weeks (when Bardsley and Evans have been injured) and they’ve been excellent for us. We’ve not been conceding too many, which gives us a great platform to win games.”

Danny Collins has also looked more solid in the second half of the season and his consistency was rewarded with the supporters’ player of the year award. While Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 victory at home to Middlesbrough guaranteed Sunderland’s top-flight safety, Gordon also took heart from the fact it partially made amends for the poor performance against Newcastle United the previous week.

“We knew we didn’t play as well as we can and didn’t give ourselves a chance from very early on in the match,” he reflected. “It was disappointing to do that, especially in a derby. But we were concentrating in the run-up to the Middlesbrough game on bouncing back and being of a mind to do that, especially in front of our own fans. We gave everything right to the end and, again, we’ve got another last-minute winner. Twelve goals in the last 10 minutes and nine in the last five is not a bad record.

“Regardless of who we were playing, it was important we got back to winning ways. It was another derby game and, although it’s maybe not quite as big as the Newcastle one, nevertheless, it’s a team from just down the road so it was great to get that win.

“We’ve taken four points from Middlesbrough this season so we’re very happy with that as well.”