Márton Fülöp is happy to have proved his talent at SAFC

May 18 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

MÁRTON Fülöp is thanking his lucky stars that he was able to prove he is a Premier League-quality goalkeeper this season without having to leave Wearside.

Now the Hungarian is desperate to ensure his good work does not go to waste by allowing Sunderland to drop out of the top fight.

Victory at Portsmouth tonight will guarantee Sunderland’s place for 2009-10 and if it is achieved, Fülöp will be able to look back on his own contribution with some pride having been a regular in the side this season.

Until Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, began suffering the injuries which blighted his campaign, Fülöp’s career in this country had largely been spent sat on benches. Since signing for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2004, the majority of his rare appearances came in loans at Football League clubs.

His frustration undisguised, Fülöp was on the verge of a £3m move to Stoke City until the Potters switched their attentions to one of his Sunderland predecessors, Thomas Sorenson, last summer. In hindsight, Fülöp is delighted they did.

“This was the first season I have had a run of games in the Premier League and I’m very satisfied with how things have gone,” said Fülöp. “I’ve had some really good games and I can only remember one big mistake (at Liverpool).

“Not every game was perfect, I know I still have to improve my game, but considering this is my first season, I’ll look back and feel very happy with it.”

Of his aborted move to the Britannia Stadium, Fülöp said: “The clubs had agreed a fee, but things happen for a reason. The transfer window was closing, the Craig

Gordon injury didn’t happen too long afterwards, so you always need to train for yourself and if anything happens you have to be in top condition.

“I think I trained hard and got my reward. I felt sorry for Craig getting the injury (a foot problem picked up in the build-up to October’s Wear-Tyne derby), but I’ve put in the hard work and maybe that’s why I was quite consistent this season.

“The deal stalled a bit because Stoke were looking at Tommy Sorensen – he was on trial and I wasn’t the cheapest option around. I think they agreed a fee of around £3m and for a newly-promoted club that was big money for a goalkeeper.

“That was a big thing for me. It didn’t happen and I think something better happened – I’m playing for a bigger club and I’m very happy with my season.”

The 26-year-old has put to bed his own doubts about his ability to play in the self-proclaimed “best league in the world”.

“Definitely,” he said. “I think I’ve shown I’m capable of playing in the Premier League and I can cope with the pressure.

“The good thing is I’m relaxed about it now. There were question marks about me before – was I capable of doing it at this level? But now I don’t have any question marks about myself.”

Doubts persist over whether international goalkeepers Fülöp and Gordon will both be at the Stadium of Light next term, but for now the former is just concentrating on keeping his club in the top division. “I think we just have to finish this season,” he said.

“I think this is a very important 10 games for the club. If we stay in this division, anything can happen, but let’s speak about that when we have secured our position. I’m sure we’ll do that.”

Sunderland’s survival hopes have been helped by the weekend results. Pompey are now mathematically safe from relegation, a fact which could be reflected in their team sheet.

PORTSMOUTH manager Paul Hart will have a big decision to make over the next few weeks as he considers whether to take on the role as manager of the club in the long term.

It looks certain Hart will now be offered the manager’s job, having worked without a specific contract since taking over the reins in February – initially for just one match following Tony Adams’ dismissal.

But Hart, 56, will have discussions with his wife and right-hand man Brian Kidd before deciding whether to consider returning to full-time management, which would clearly mean stepping away from his designated role as the club’s academy director.

Although Hart has admitted his relief and satisfaction at the achievement of keeping Pompey up, he said: “As we speak, nothing has changed with my situation.

“I would still hope to be here next season because I have two years left on my youth director contract but as for anything else we will just have to wait and see.”