Staff are needed to share the workload
Jan 3 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
SINCE making the transition from coach to manager, Ricky Sbragia has been trying to manage his time better, and as part of the process the Scot will decide next week whether to add to his backroom staff.
After replacing Roy Keane in early December, Sbragia has been assisted by Dwight Yorke and Neil Bailey. But the former is combining his role with playing, while the latter is in charge of the Black Cats’ reserve team. Yorke apart, no new coaches have been added in that time, and that could remain the case even after the weekend.
The most likely solution seems to be that Sbragia will promote one of his more junior members of staff to take over Bailey’s responsibilities with the second string.
“The days can be longer,” he said of his new job. “I try and adjust the days and do a bit better on my time management.
“The workload on Neil and I is obviously greater. After the cup game we’re going to have a chat about Neil’s situation and I think there’s a possibility we would promote from within in the short-term. It’s been hectic because of the window. It would have been better from my point of view if the window hadn’t opened so soon after I was appointed but I’ve got to get on with it.”
Meanwhile, Cardiff City have still not given up hope of re-signing Michael Chopra on loan, despite having upset the Black Cats with the way his latest Ninian Park stint ended.
The 25-year-old is a doubt for today’s game against Bolton Wanderers with an ankle injury picked up in south Wales.
“He’s had severe bruising on his ankle,” Sbragia revealed. “I think he got it on the Friday and played on the Sunday, which obviously made it worse. We didn’t know until he came to us, which was a bit disappointing.”
The Bluebirds have admitted they can not afford to sign Chopra permanently, but are still hopeful of agreeing another six-month loan.
“I would like to get Michael Chopra back on loan,” said their manager Dave Jones.
“The new manager has come in and I’m sure he’ll want to look at what he has got at his disposal so we’ll have to wait.
“It is out of our hands, all we can do is put a good case forward.”
