Cats 'Cockney mafia' form an instant bond

Sep 17 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THE head of Sunderland’s own ‘Cockney mafia’ says he has struck up an instant understanding with fellow Londoner Anton Ferdinand.

Brixton-born Nyron Nosworthy and Peckham’s Ferdinand performed solidly together during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic and the former revealed that although it was the only time the central defenders had played together, they knew one another long before Ferdinand’s £8m move.

“I went to school with his cousin so I’ve known him since I was a boy,” he said.

“Now he’s here it’s nice to bump into him again. I’ve never played with him as a youngster but I followed his progress from when he joined West Ham, next thing I see him playing for them on TV and that was that.

“There was a good understanding (with Ferdinand at Wigan). But with Jonny (Evans) and Danny (Collins) it was the same, they’ve all got that will to win.

“Anton is a cool, calm, collected person like myself so it makes it easy to build a partnership.”

Seven players have moved to Sunderland from London clubs this year and having joined from Gillingham three years ago, the defender sees himself as a role model for them.

“I think I’m a focal point for the southern boys who move here,” he said. “They say, ‘He’s done it so I can give it a go.’ But when they see the facilities, the massive steps we’ve made and the direction of the club it’s an easy choice.

“It’s helped Anton relax having people he can relate to at Sunderland. Things have changed

since I moved here but there’s always been a nice atmosphere at the club, a warm welcome so moving here wasn’t a problem.

“But once Anton came up here and the gaffer told him his plans for the club it was easy for him to make the move.”

The integration of the Black Cats’ 10 summer signings was further helped by one of Roy Keane’s team bonding sessions at the Adrenalin outdoor activity centre in North Yorkshire, where Sunderland players took part in paintballing, high ropes and an assault course race.

Meanwhile, Keane is considering letting Carlos Edwards and Anthony Stokes go out on loan, but captain Dean Whitehead has reiterated his commitment to the red-and-white cause.

Edwards and Stokes are yet to start a game this season and with Football League clubs now able to take players on loan, both might be given the opportunity of dropping down a division for first-team football.

“There has been interest in Carlos and I’ll have a chat with him over the next few days,” said the Black Cats manager. “I’ve had no calls about Stokesy, but I’m open-minded with some of the players on the fringes and if a club wants to ring up and ask about Stokesy, we’ll have a chat. But he’s keeping his head down and he’s working hard.

“I think it would have helped if he’d been away with Ireland Under-21s recently.

“I think he would have benefited from that because he needs games, so it was a disappointment (he wasn’t called up).”

Stoke City, Fulham and Middlesbrough were all linked with moves for Whitehead during the transfer window but the 26-year-old insists he never wanted to leave.

“These stories have been going on for a few months and I haven’t a clue where they came from,” he said.

“We were bringing in players and there is competition in midfield, but nothing was ever said to me about leaving.

“I’m excited about what’s happening at this club.

“I’m the captain and I hope it stays that way.

“The stories haven’t annoyed me – they’ve made me laugh, more than anything – but the transfer window is closed for a while and hopefully everyone will just concentrate on the football now.”