DEFIANT Martin O’Neill insists Sunderland will invest again in January as he moved to reaffirm his commitment to the long-term Black Cats’ project.
O’Neill’s future was the subject of intense debate over the weekend after inaccurate reports that claimed he had resigned following Sunderland’s 4-2 defeat against high-flying West Bromwich Albion.
Those surfaced after the latest Stadium of Light setback in a disappointing season that has seen Sunderland conjure up just two wins. They head into tonight’s critical clash with QPR fully aware that defeat in Harry Redknapp’s first game in charge of the Londonerswould drag them back into the mix at the wrong end of the table. Against that backdrop there were claims that O’Neill, who had appeared upbeat in his post-game Press conference, had offered to resign.
The Black Cats chief dismissed those reports as nothing more than internet mischief-making on Monday afternoon, claiming that he was watching a re-run of the game when he fielded the first of a flurry of calls about his future.
One of those was from Ellis Short himself, who remains firmly behind O’Neill and his vision of trying to build a team that Black Cats supporters can be “proud of”.
The Sunderland manager knows that will not happen overnight though, and he believes that further investment will be forthcoming in the New Year in an attempt to continue the progress.
The Black Cats are aiming to recruit a centre-back and a striker in January – although O’Neill laughed off talk that he could mount an ambitious move to re-sign Darren Bent, who is unsettled at Aston Villa.
O’Neill said: “I think that we will have to be looking at trying to strengthen the squad in January – without doubt.
“Both me and the owner want to deliver a team that, not only will the fans be delighted with but it will compete.”
That is a sure sign that O’Neill remains firmly in charge of a rebuilding project that will not be completed overnight.
Sunderland made two sizeable “statement” signings in the summer when they recruited Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher and, while the former is still settling into his role as the creative fulcrum of O’Neill’s re-modelled side, there is a recognition from all at the Stadium of Light that more improvement is required.
O’Neill stopped short of pleading for patience, but he did say that there is realism in the outlook of everyone on Wearside.
He said: “The owner has said to me here this will take some time to get things together and I would be hoping I don’t intend to do it in 10 years as that would bore the life out of everybody.
“But I intend to do it as quickly as I possibly can for one if you are winning it gives you respite, but more importantly gives you a wee bit more time to put your team together.
“I can’t judge from other people I don’t say I would know Mr Short fantastically well .
“We’ve had some very good conversations and he is the one pointing out to me this will take time.
“He is not expecting anything at the minute and he genuinely wants stability at the football club.
“And in the past it’s the teams who have shown stability who have come through it.
“It is tough, there is no doubt, and like everybody else I would not mind a few more points on the board if we could get them.
“But I know it would be tough. I think I’ll complete a year in a couple of weeks time at the football club and a 38-game season whatever the case may be and I want to do well at the club.”
