Gordon frustrated by spell on bench
Feb 20 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
CRAIG Gordon has admitted he is struggling to cope with life on the Sunderland substitutes’ bench following his return from an ankle injury.
In the past, Gordon would have expected to go straight back into the side once he had recovered from an injury, but he has been forced to accept he is no longer the automatic first choice under Ricky Sbragia.
With former back-up goalkeeper Márton Fülöp performing well in Gordon’s absence, the Scotland international is finding it difficult to accept he needs to bide his time on the sidelines.
He said: “I know I have to be patient as I look to get back into the side. The problem is, I’m not a patient person. I’ll just continue to work hard and try to force myself into the team.
“It was good to be back on the bench and involved with the team after being injured for so long, but that soon wears off. You want to play. I’ve played one game, done well, and it’s just a case of waiting for another chance.”
A trip to the Emirates Stadium, which Sunderland face tomorrow, was once considered the toughest trip of the season, but Gordon suggested the Gunners’ aura of invincibility has been shattered.
He said: “Seriously, I don’t think a trip to the Emirates holds as much fear as it used to. Hopefully we can produce a good, solid performance. We should not fear going there.
“If we can put in a solid defensive display and nick a goal, you never know. We have the attacking players to cause Arsenal problems and Anton Ferdinand has marshalled the defence superbly in recent weeks.
“The team is looking fairly sound, we’ve done well in the last few weeks and it’s something to build on.
“I would say the Emirates is the best stadium in the Premier League to play at – a great place to play your football.
“The pitch was perfect last season and it would be nice if we could put on a show on Saturday.”
Despite his personal frustration, Gordon is looking forward to a short break in Spain with the rest of the first-team squad as the Black Cats decamp to Seville next week.
He said: “It’s a strange time at the minute. The football calendar is usually busy at this time of year but, for us, it has been quiet with a couple of breaks in February. I prefer it when it’s busy with more games.
“Having said that, it went down well in the dressing room last week when it emerged that we were heading to Spain for some warm-weather training. We can work in a comfortable temperature and relax a bit afterwards.
“It’s good for the lads to get together, do some decent work and also have a laugh, it always helps team spirit. We go after the Arsenal game and the aim is to come back ready for the final dozen games.”
Meanwhile, Ricky Sbragia has confirmed Rosenborg’s interest in Black Cats striker Rade Prica, although they have failed to make an acceptable offer.
Prica has not played a single first-team game this season and Sbragia is keen to get the Sweden international, a £2m signing from Aalborg 13 months ago, off the wage bill.
He said: “There have been two or three inquiries, but because it’s their pre-season, they’ve not pushed it on and we’re still waiting. We’ve had an offer, but we feel we can get more for him. We would hope in the next three or four days something might happen and it will be solved.”
