Kieran Richardson praises boss Bruce's transfer dealings

Nov 25 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

“You must have something about you. They are all quality players and they have all contributed to the team.

“Some players come with big names and take time to adapt, they don’t sometimes. Our players have adapted and credit to the gaffer for keeping them on the right road.”

Sunderland will need those players to maintain their high standards when they take on Wigan this weekend in a game being billed by the Black Cats as every bit as important as the Arsenal match.

Their away form has been dodgy and Sunderland are expecting a backlash from Wigan’s freak loss at White Hart Lane, a result Richardson likens to the Black Cats’ 7-1 reverse at Everton two seasons ago.

He added: “I was at home and I saw a glimpse and I turned to my dad and said ‘did you see that, it was 9-1’.

He said ‘that’s not right, it cannot be, it must have been an error, five or something’.

“He came back out, it was 9-1 and it was phenomenal. Sometimes you get those freak results.

“Two years ago we lost 7-1 at Everton, it does happen. I have watched Wigan and they are a good side, this latest result is not a fair reflection of them. They have good players, play nice football, they are powerful.”

Aware invariably Sunderland have blotted their copybook by following decent results against the top four with defeats to the division’s lesser lights, Richardson has urged his team-mates to “move on” from the Arsenal win.

He added: “We have to move on, the main thing is Saturday. Wigan had a torrid time at Tottenham, we just have to make sure we do not feel their backlash.

“They will be upping their game. It is a hard place to go Wigan, we know it will be difficult.

“Everyone is mentally right no matter what team we face.”