IT ALL ADS UP FOR MOYES
Black Cats boss is ready to relaunch Januzaj
DAVID MOYES has told Adnan Januzaj that he has to push himself through the pain barrier to become a top player.
The on-loan Manchester United forward, 21, is standing by to make his full Sunderland debut in today’s Wear-Tees derby with Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
It was there, almost three years ago, that then-United boss Moyes handed Belgian Januzaj his first senior start – and he marked the occasion with a double strike in a 2-1 victory.
Now, Black Cats manager Moyes wants Januzaj to repeat his heroics and get over a frustrating loan spell with Borussia Dortmund last season.
And, with Fabio Borini doubtful because of a toe problem, he could start his afternoon.
Moyes said: “The big thing for me in that game here was that Adnan scored two great goals and it was a wee bit of the emergence of this boy.
“We’d seen him in pre-season with United – it was him and Jesse Lingard who were the two boys who had featured in pre-season. We really liked the two of them and we gave Adnan the chance.
“He was playing so well and the supporters were seeing what he was doing – he was creating goals and scoring goals and, for that reason, he was the one we picked.
“I hope he’s still going to do it. I’ve said Adnan needs to show what he can do. He wants to, he’s determined to show that he’s a good player.
“He feels he’s not had enough playing time. But I’ve said to him not all managers are wrong.
“So, he has to prove that not all those managers were right in their choice. He has to show that he’s ready. That’s why I emphasise he has to be a team player, not just an individual, and I’ve told him that. So, I hope he does that.
“He has the ability to put people on the back foot and make things happen.
“There’s a bit of what I see in Adnan’s face tells me I need to see a bit of pain in his face.
“He needs to feel, ‘ This is me and I’ve got to perform now’. I’m hoping to see in his face and his eyes that he’s the Adnan I know who can perform.
“He’s not a one-man show, he has to make sure he’s producing for the team. We need to add goalscorers to the team – and he has the ability to do that.
“I think moving to Dortmund was a difficult choice. I know he’s Belgian, but it’s not that easy to go abroad if you’re a young player and I think maybe the choice to go to Dortmund might not have been the right one.’’
Former Real Sociedad boss Moyes admits he attempted to sign Boro striker Alvaro Negredo – on loan from Valencia – when he was in charge of Everton.
He said: “I think Negredo is a good signing. I liked Negredo when he was at Manchester City and I know him from Spain a bit as well.
“I went out to watch Negredo to sign him for Everton – I tried to sign him before he went to City.’’
And Moyes admires the job Aitor Karanka has done as Boro boss.
He added: “I think he’s done a good job – obviously, I knew him when he worked for Jose Mourinho in the early days.
“He’ll be gaining experience of being a coach himself and he’s done a good job in the last couple of years.
“It’s not easy getting out of the Championship – not for anybody.’’