Kyril’s arrival means we can move the club forward
LEE Johnson is a happy man now that Kyril Louis-dreyfus has completed his takeover at Sunderland, and the club can look to the future.
The Swiss billionaire heir took control of the club this week, and he was in the stands at Burton Albion yesterday to watch Johnson’s side win 3-0 and move back into the play-off places.
Johnson said: “It’s brilliant that it’s done, and the important thing now is that we can invest in the correct areas.
“Kyril is coming in, he has some great ideas and he is very wellrounded. He has had a front-row seat watching his dad run Marseille and Club Brugge, so I have been very impressed with him and I’m looking forward to working with him and trying to take the club forward.”
The win at Burton capped a very good week for Sunderland, after they beat promotion rivals Doncaster convincingly last weekend, then in midweek booked a date at Wembley for the final of the EFL Trophy, with the takeover then completed on Thursday.
Johnson says the club is now moving in the right direction, but says while fans have every right to be excited, it is his job to keep the players focused on the task in hand on the pitch.
“Fans can be excited, but within the squad, it’s important that we flatten the waves – we’re not superheroes all of a sudden, we have to keep on keep pulling out results, we have to keep churning out professional performances like this, and we have to keep our focus,” he said.
“You know what this league is like – if you don’t maintain that focus then seven days later the table can look very different. The club is definitely moving forward and the club is moving towards better days and better times, but in the meantime we have to do our jobs and win football matches.
“Football can slap you in the face very, very, quickly so we have to stay focused. League One is a marathon and that is why I have talked about the clubs with the big squads coming through.
“We are building momentum, we are building belief, and yes, there will be bumps in the road and hurdles to jump, but the signs are positive and that’s good.”
MARCUS BETTINELLI
An excellent clean sheet. Bettinelli was vocal and dominant
DARNELL FISHER
Another fine display. He’s turning out to be quite the snip of a signing. Full of energy and defensively rock solid
ANFERNEE DIJKSTEEL
So much more comfortable in the centre of a three than a back four. Rarely put a foot wrong
DAEL FRY
What a return to action. Frustrated Joao, bossed the defence, won the header that led to the first goal
PADDY MCNAIR
No wonder Warnock was so happy the red card was overturned. Calm and assured at the back and his free-kick teed up goal
MARC BOLA
Wow! That goal. What a way to score your first Championship goal for Boro. He did his day job tremendously as well
JONNY HOWSON
Little bit sloppy in possession in the first 10 minutes but got better and better as the game went on. Outstanding in the second half
SAM MORSY
One of his best displays in a Boro shirt. Was superb shield for defence and got forward as well, his tenacity led to the second goal
DUNCAN WATMORE
What a shift. Never stopped running. Got a few kicks and bruises but stuck at it. Fine work in build-up to second goal
NEESKENS KEBANO
Busy, never stopped buzzing around, and was disciplined as well. Replaced by Saville
ASHLEY FLETCHER
Second goal in as many games, his return could be a game-changer in race for promotion. He’ll be Warnock’s first choice
SUBSTITUTES MARVIN JOHNSON 7
For Watmore, 66. Helped to see the game out. Threat on the counter on the left
GEORGE SAVILLE 7
For Kebano 78. Tidy on the ball
READING
Cabral, Yiadom, Morrison, Mcintyre, Richards (Esteves 45), Rinomhota, Laurent, Olise (Aluko 85), Semedo (Gibson 45), Ejaria (Puscas 78), Lucas Joao. Subs: Moore, Baldock, Southwood, Holmes, Tetek.
MATCH FACTS
N MENDEZ-LAING 7
For Fisher, 78. One flashed just wide
Not used: Hall, Assombalonga, Akpom, Archer, Spence, Coulson
*Subs must play 15 minutes to gain a mark
GOALS:BORO: Fletcher (22); Bola (29) RFC: None
BOOKINGS: BORO: Howson 71, Fletcher 90+1 RFC: Richards 43, Rinomhota 59
SENT OFF: None
REFEREE: David Webb (County Durham)
ATTENDANCE: None
shot
HOW things can change in a week.
Last Saturday, after the disappointing defeat at Derby, Neil Warnock was left to dwell on a poor showing and a growing injury list as his Boro side’s season was threatening to peter out.
Seven days and six points later, Boro look to be back on track and the gap to the top six is now just three points after what the manager described as a “complete performance” in the 2-0 win at Reading.
Ashley Fletcher and Marc Bola got the goals in a pivotal victory over the promotion chasing rivals, and Boro will now welcome Bristol City and Cardiff to the Riverside with renewed optimism.
After the win at the Madejski Stadium, Warnock gathered his players in a huddle to celebrate. After the Derby defeat, the mood was completely different, but the boss set about lifting the squad with a rallying cry.
“I told the lads, I’m 72, I don’t need to be here, I don’t want to be here to be average and I don’t want you to be average, I want you to lift yourselves now,” revealed Warnock.
“We’ve got 18 games left or whatever it was at the time. I want us to be involved. We might not make it but let’s have a try, let’s be positive
“We’re at a great club, great facilities, great owner – we can’t wish for any more. Let’s have a go.
“You have to enjoy the moment and that’s what I’m doing.”
Warnock certainly enjoyed the win at Reading.
“When you look at the performance today I think we looked a good side,” he said.
“We controlled large parts and looked dangerous. It was a complete performance. You won’t get much better than that.
“I’m working with such a good group of lads. The club is fabulous. We’ve been so unlucky with certain injuries, we can’t do without certain players. We have to wrap Dael Fry in cotton wool. He gives me such a lift when I put the teamsheet in.
“And Ashley Fletcher has been a revelation. He might not score every chance but his contribution, he takes everything on board, Duncan thrives off him and Kebano.
“We were in the mood before the game, even in the hotel there was an entirely different feeling to last week against Derby.”
LUKE Shaw is excited to see more from “wonderful talent” Amad Diallo, who reminds the Manchester United left-back of Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez.
After striking a deal with Serie A side Atalanta in October, the 18-year-old winger completed his eagerly-anticipated switch to Old Trafford in January for an initial 21million euros (£18.7 million).
The fee could potentially rise to 41m euros (£36.5m) for Diallo, who came off the bench for his United debut in Thursday’s comfortable 4-0 Europa League round-of-32 first leg win against Real Sociedad in Turin.
The teenager is pushing for his first start heading into today’s Premier League clash with struggling Newcastle and the return leg against Sociedad, with full-back Shaw excited by the Ivorian’s potential.
“He’s still so young but he’s come into training and you can tell he’s got confidence,” he said.
“You can tell by the way he plays. His first touch is brilliant, the way he takes the ball and drives at players. He’s got great skill.
“Of course, he’s very young and still got a long way to go but you can tell already that he’s going to be one for the future and I’m sure he’s not far away from maybe getting a firstteam appearance.
“He’s a wonderful talent and already a wonderful player, so I’m sure fans are looking forward to seeing (more of) him on the pitch soon.”
Asked which player he would liken Diallo to, Shaw said: “It was interesting because Harry (Maguire) said to me the other day that he reminds him of Mahrez when he was at Leicester.
“Really quick, skilful, agility, can turn really quick, got great skills and I would probably agree with Harry, he does remind me of Mahrez.
“Even the way Mahrez plays now. I’ve seen sort of the qualities that Amad obviously has and has shown in training.
“Mahrez is a wonderful player so hopefully if he’s any good like him it’ll be great for United.”
Edinson Cavani, Donny van de Beek and Scott Mctominay are being assessed ahead of tonight’s match, which France midfielder Paul Pogba and defender Phil Jones will miss through injury.