Happy reunion for Cats loan star Ben-Haim
Feb 27 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
TAL Ben-Haim has been reunited with Ricky Sbragia for the first time in over a year – and the Israeli says his former coach has not changed a bit since moving into the manager’s office.
The versatile 26-year-old defender made his Sunderland debut at Arsenal last week and pointed to the clean sheet kept by the Black Cats at the Emirates as proof the Scot has lost none of his ability to organise a team.
The response to Sbragia’s appointment as manager in December was fairly under-whelming, so much so that one ill-informed London journalist at the weekend asked if he would like the job full-time, not realising Sbragia was under contract until the end of next season.
But, having worked with him at Bolton Wanderers – and being aware of what he has achieved elsewhere – Ben-Haim was already a fan of his new manager before arriving on loan at the start of the month.
“I remember Ricky when he was at Bolton and he hasn’t changed that much, even though he is a manager rather than a coach,” said Ben-Haim, on the books of Manchester City but out of favour there.
“He is the same Ricky, he is always on the training ground and the players love and respect him. You could see that at Arsenal.
“Ricky is very experienced. People forget he has also worked on the coaching staff at Manchester United.
“He worked with Sam Allardyce at Bolton, which was excellent experience. You can see he organises the team very well.”
Sbragia’s departure to become manager of the Red Devils’ reserve team in 2002 was seen as a huge blow at Sunderland, where he had spent the past eight years
enhancing his reputation within the game.
So it was widely seen as shrewd move by Roy Keane to bring him back to the club from Bolton in November 2007.
Ben-Haim’s first appearance for the Black Cats came at right-back last Saturday, marking fellow debutant Andrei Arshavin. The Israeli admits it is not his favourite position but, having become used to being utilised in a variety of roles at City and more especially Chelsea, he is unfazed by playing there.
Like fellow loanee Calum Davenport, Ben-Haim will realise some solid displays between now and the end of the season could lead to a contract offer from the Stadium of Light and an end to his miserable spell with his parent club. That, however, is something he is trying to push to the back of his mind.
“My favourite position is centre-back, but Ricky knows me, he knows I will play any position for him if that is what the team needs,” he said. “I’m happy to do that. I’ve gelled well with the rest of the defenders and confidence is good. The team all helps each other.
“I’m taking it step by step, I’m not thinking about a new contract yet. I do not look that far ahead. All I’m looking to at the moment is the Liverpool game on Tuesday.”
Ben-Haim was delighted with his debut, not least because it maintained his impressive personal record against the Gunners.
“It was a good game to make my debut, we kept a clean sheet at Arsenal and that is something we can be proud of,” he said. “I felt very tired after the game, but that is only to be expected.
“I am really enjoying it at Sunderland. The lads and staff have been great. I’m very happy to be playing again after my time at Manchester City.
“When I played for Bolton we used to beat Arsenal, I don’t know if there is a secret. You have to work hard and put men behind the ball and then create chances if you can. Perhaps the secret is to work hard.”
