Reid: Black Cats boss has earned players’ respect

Feb 14 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

HE may not have the extensive medal collection of his predecessor, but Andy Reid says manager Ricky Sbragia is not short of respect in Sunderland’s dressing room.

And the Irishman points to the Black Cats’ record under him as proof.

The Wearsiders have lost just once in the league in 2009 – to a late penalty against championship outsiders Aston Villa. Their Premier League record under Sbragia is played 10, won four, drawn three.

Reid believes that is a measure of what the players feel about him.

“The recent run is an indication of the respect we have for the new manager,” he said. “We all had the respect for him before he took over as manager and that’s one of the main reasons he got the job. We wanted to do well for him, and him for us.

“He has been very passionate, very good. He wasn’t even the first-team coach under Roy Keane taking all of the sessions, it was difficult for him to stamp his authority before but he has now. He has made it enjoyable.

“It’s about getting the balance between having a laugh and a joke and then drawing the line. He has put players in their places when required. But he has got the balance spot on at the moment.”

When Keane took his first steps in management at the Stadium of Light it was as one of the most charismatic and decorated players of his generation, captain of the only English side to win the European Cup, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season. Sbragia was a journeyman defender who spent the bulk of his career at Walsall and York City before working as a well-respected, but little-known, coach.