Hungry Healy rediscovers his appetite

Jan 13 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

DAVID Healy has admitted that a crippling crisis of confidence after failing to secure a first-team place under former manager Roy Keane nearly cost him his Sunderland career.

But, after rejecting the chance to go out on loan to a Championship club during the autumn months, he now believes he can repay the faith shown in him by Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn.

A marginal figure in the final months of Keane’s managerial reign, Healy has re-emerged steadily under Ricky Sbragia and made a telling contribution as Sunderland snatched a point from the Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside on Saturday.

And that has given him hope of rescuing his Sunderland career and proving himself capable of performing regularly in the Premier League. His 10-minute cameo at Middlesbrough was Healy’s fifth league appearance this season – all of which have been from the bench.

“The move hasn’t gone as well so far – that is a massive understatement in fact,” Healy said.

“It’s been a difficult time for me, my confidence has been low because I haven’t been near the first team and I haven’t scored for so long. I speak to people close to me, though, and

they’ve said to me that you don’t become a bad player overnight. Some of the games I’ve come on in I’ve lacked a little bit of confidence and I probably haven’t done myself justice.

“I haven’t shown my best yet – to my fellow players, to the fans – and having had Niall Quinn and the board pay the money for me I did become a little bit anxious. I know sometimes I’ve come on and not had the impact I had on Saturday but I haven’t become a bad player and I still think I’ve got something to offer.

“I was in and out and the previous manager had his ideas about where people can play and who’s the best for whatever position. I was disappointed – I got myself down and probably lacked a bit of confidence playing just 10 or 15 minutes here or there.

“I spoke to Roy on a number of occasions and put that across to him but he said ‘be patient’. He had his own thoughts about who he was going to play and put on the pitch – for whatever reason. It is no disrespect to him but I’m happy to be involved and getting a chance.”

Healy’s renewed optimism should end the speculation that he is leaving Sunderland.

That prospect was raised last week when he was linked with a move to Rangers but there was no substance to it, according to the Northern Ireland forward.

“There’s been talk of things happening in the transfer window but I’m pleased to be at Sunderland,” he said.

“I have never asked to leave. Earlier in the season I was offered the opportunity to go on loan to a Championship club which might not have been a bad idea at the time because I wasn’t involved (in the first team).

“I wanted to stay and be part of the football club though. I spoke to Ricky and he sees me as part of the plans.

“The Rangers link came because I support them, I was there when I was a kid, too. But it doesn’t mean that I want to play for them and paper talk is paper talk. I’m happy to be part of a fantastic football club and I don’t want to leave.”

While Healy will remain at Sunderland for the duration of the season there was movement out of the Stadium of Light yesterday when Ross Wallace clinched a permanent move to Preston North End.

Liam Miller has also been tipped for a Sunderland exit, with QPR reportedly keen to wrap up a deal for him by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, Sbragia will consider recalling Paul McShane from his loan at Hull if he fails to strengthen his defence this month.

Sbragia is eager to bring in new faces, with McShane – on a season-long loan with Hull – an option should all else fail.

“It’s no secret that I need defenders, but that doesn’t necessarily mean having to buy anyone,” said Sbragia.