Sunderland’s remarkable Northern Irish Synergy inspired turnaround

At current, former Manchester United player Kieran Richardson is performing well at left-back, his secondary position: before Wes Brown was side-lined for a suspected eight-weeks, along with the aforementioned and John O’Shea, The Black Cats had three out of four of their back line from Manchester United and it was proving a strong and formidable line in front of Belgian international, although it was a trio often interrupted by the presence of Phil Bardsley. Now, the presence of Wayne Bridge may provide stiff competition for Kieran Richardson’s left-back slot, which would consequentially pressure McClean for the left-midfield slot.

Most importantly, Martin O’Neill has addressed the defence in the January transfer window shrewdly, signing two defenders of age and Premier League experience in the previously mentioned Manchester City left-back and ex-Liverpool centre back Sotirios Kyrgakios.

December was Martin O’Neill’s second month in charge and it served him well: three wins, most importantly around teams surrounding his side when he took over, a draw and only one loss, to then 3^rd place Tottenham, won the Northern Irish manager his 8^th Manager of the Month award; that places O’Neill behind only Arsene Wenger (11) and Sir Alex Ferguson (26). It had been 14 years since he first won the award, back at Leicester, and since then, he has received the award at all three of the Premier League clubs he has managed.

January served him equally well: three wins, including a triumphant 1-0 win over Manchester City and an emphatic 4-1 hammering of the team that cost Steve Bruce his job, and just one loss to Chelsea.

Sunderland’s turnaround, inspired by their Northern Irish synergic relationship between O’Neill and McClean, is currently as efficiently mounted as could be realistically expected: if O’Neill had won every game he had since taking over, Sunderland would only be one place the better, as is the chasm between the top seven and the rest of the league.

For Sunderland, the goal between now and the end of the season must be to maintain their current position. Last year should serve as a lesson: at the end of January The Black Cats were 6^th and slipped to 10^th with their firepower gone. This time round, Martin O’Neill must capitalise on breaking in to the top ten and satisfy beginning of the season expectations that looked dead before he entered the building.

Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit

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