Defiant Catts in rally cry
LEE CATTERMOLE has urged Sunderland to show some pride in their battle to beat the drop.
Cattermole returned from hip surgery in Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat at Leicester which left the Black Cats rooted to the bottom of the table.
And he reckons it’s time Sunderland’s players showed their suffering fans how much they care when Manchester United visit Wearside on Sunday.
Cattermole said: “It looks tough – very tough. But you don’t become a footballer by shying away from things. Everyone has got to have that drive – or you hope they have.
“Certainly you know what you’ll be getting from the likes of myself because I’m excited to be back.
Lift
“We must look forward to Sunday and show our fans how much we care about the position we are in.
“We’ve got to stand up, show some pride and find out what we are all about.”
Defender Billy Jones claims Cattermole’s return has given Sunderland just the lift they needed.
He said: “Catts gives us a lift. He controls the other midfielders and the defence as well – and that’s why he is such an important player for us.
“He is such a good player and all the lads in the squad look up to him.
“In the seasons where we’ve pulled off escapes before we’ve had that little bit of luck.
“Against Leicester was maybe the best we’ve played for a while.
“We are disappointed with the goals we conceded against them, but it might have been a different story if we’d just had that little bit of luck on our side.”