Tainio is keen to make a point
May 14 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
Portsmouth under Paul Hart play a not dissimilar style to Bolton Wanderers, against whom Sunderland claimed their first point in five away matches last week. Pompey are also very direct and use a lone striker. So having so comprehensively outplayed the Trotters, Tainio would like more of the same next week.
“What we have to do against Portsmouth is produce the same performance but with one or two goals – that would be perfect,” he said.
Tainio was widely praised after his man-of-the-match performance at the Reebok by manager Ricky Sbragia, who said when he plays well, so does the team. He was one of a trio of players who picked up ankle knocks in the 0-0 draw, but all are expected to play on Monday.
Tainio has trained all week and, while Kenwyne Jones and Kieran Richardson have not, they are expected on the Academy of Light pitches today.
Injuries have been the recurring theme of Tainio’s season, and the volume and variety has annoyed the Finn and left him desperate to make amends.
“It’s been really frustrating,” he said. “It’s not easy when you see a team struggling and you can’t do anything about it. But we have two massive games left and we can save the season.
“Even when I have not had games under my belt, I have felt fit all of the time. It wasn’t really a problem in that sense. But when you don’t play for one or two months it’s not easy to start again.
“My injuries are all over my body, not just in one place.
“Ricky has given me a lot of confidence after being out for so long. I have come straight back into the team and I’m happy to hear him saying nice things about me.
“But having been out for so long, I feel I have a double responsibility to the team.”
: MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gareth Southgate has demanded his players lift themselves from the pain of defeat in the Tyne-Tees derby if they are to avoid relegation.
“The Newcastle game was tough and it has taken a lot out of the players,” Southgate said. “But they have to lift themselves – while there is still a chance, we have to keep going.”
