Cissé loyal to Sunderland despite upheaval

Dec 22 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

DJIBRIL Cissé has reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland in the wake of Roy Keane’s departure, dismissing the suggestion that the former manager’s resignation has dented his desire to sign permanently for the Black Cats in the summer.

Cissé has played a key part in the revival of Sunderland under caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia, repaying some of the sizeable loan fee that was paid to bring him back to the Premier League by scoring twice in two big wins to take the team away from relegation zone.

Securing him on a longer-term deal must be considered one of the summer priorities for whoever takes over from Keane, and news that he wants to remain a Black Cat despite the upheaval is a major boost for the club.

The striker’s words should be treated with significance because it was the presence of Keane as manager that was one of the major reasons for him opting to sign for Sunderland.

Despite obvious disappointment at the departure of an influential manager who he had great affection for, Cissé is happy with the current caretaker management team.

Indeed the France forward, who was compared by Sbragia to a “snooker table” for sporting a green and black mohican haircut for Saturday’s game, has added his voice to the growing number of players coming out publicly to support the caretaker’s bid for the job.

“Ricky is a really good guy. He is quiet on the training pitch and doesn’t really like to talk about himself much but he is really good and, for the moment, there is no reason for us to change the situation. It is working at the

moment so we should give him a chance,” Cissé said.

“Roy Keane leaving has not changed my opinion on whether I want to stay at Sunderland. It was very sad for me, but I like the club that much that it doesn’t affect the way I think.

“I really want to take this club to the next level and the identity of the manager doesn’t change that.

“I have always fallen in love with who I am playing for. At Liverpool, I loved the crowd and the people very quickly, and it was the same at Marseille.

“Sunderland was a bit different – maybe because I only came on loan – but I quickly grew to love the club.

“I love the fans and the way people are.

“ They are really nice with me, and so the least I can do is show them the same respect and give 100% on the pitch.”

Cissé believes that the team's togetherness has been the key to removing themselves from the relegation zone after Keane’s resignation.

“We all know what happened with the former manager and it was important that we stuck together,” he said.

“We know that is the only way to get out of the situation we are in. We need to stick together, stay together and fight together. That is what we are doing at the moment.”

Cissé’s mood has probably been improved by the return to fitness of Kenwyne Jones, who looks like an improved player since his comeback.

The pairing of Cissé with the Trinidad & Tobago forward has suffered some teething troubles but there are signs that the duo are starting to look capable of working in tandem.

“Me and Kenwyne are playing well together,” said the French international.

“He is a good lad as well as being a good footballer.

“I really like him off the pitch, and I think that helps us play well together,”

“Even though we have only had a small time playing together, I think we are starting to get a good understanding.

“A mark of a good player is to be able to play well with anyone, and being able to adapt to a new partner in a short space of time. I think we have been able to do that.”

Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that the Drumaville consortium are considering cutting their ties with Sunderland and allowing majority shareholder Ellis Short to take control.

Reports in Ireland claimed that Drumaville could withdraw their backing from the club, although Niall Quinn would be kept on as chairman if Short took over.