BENNETT: CATS NEED BIG WINDOW BOOST
FORMER SUNDERLAND SKIPPER GARY BENNETT LOOKS FOR TWO NEW STRIKERS TO BE BROUGHT IN THIS MONTH KEY BATTLE JUNIOR HOILETT V BRYAN OVIEDO
Gary Bennett believes Sunderland need to sign two strikers this month to help give Chris Coleman’s struggling side a big lift.
Sunderland prop up the Championship table ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off at promotion-chasing Cardiff City, with Coleman targeting the loan market for fresh blood.
We sat down with club legend and former skipper Bennett – who made more than 350 Sunderland appearances – to discuss the January transfer window, Coleman’s impact, owner Ellis Short plus Jack Rodwell’s future. on the head – you want players who want to come and play for the club.
“Not just players who come here for the journey, to see out the season.
“You want players who have the character and can make the difference.
“Have we got the character, strength and ability to get out of this position – rock bottom of the Championship?
“I certainly hope so. We have dropped a long way.” perform the way he has been there.
“If you don’t have the players or tools around you to do that, then it is harder. You have to look at the circumstances he would be coming into.” Bennett said: “Where do you point the finger? At Ellis Short? At the previous managers? The chief executive?
“People keep saying Short needs to release money, but you would have to say, over his time in charge, he has spent money, but it has been badly spent, badly managed. Whose fault is that?”
Bennett added: “Say he backs Chris Coleman, how much money would he need?
“It is not Ellis Short’s fault over the players that come in, he doesn’t identify the players.
“Say he gives £50million to Chris Coleman, he brings players in and they don’t perform – whose fault is it? It’s not Ellis Short’s fault.
“Look at James Vaughan. It isn’t Ellis Short’s fault he doesn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
The 26-year-old has been missing with a hamstring injury.
Coleman has spoken openly about Rodwell saying it was up to the former Everton midfielder to prove he has the appetite for the Championship relegation battle.
Bennett said: “He has a problem in stringing four or five games together. When was the last time he played half a dozen game in a row?
“I think that is something which mentally plays on his mind. If he plays one game, we are not expecting him to play another after that.”
Bennett added: “You are looking for players who can play under pressure, every game will be played under pressure.
“Who can roll their sleeves up and handle it?
“You don’t mind getting beat, it is how you get beat. At least go down fighting.
“We might have to gamble and play with two strikers.
“With one striker, we don’t get enough people in the box,.
“We don’t have the players in midfield willing to make that run into the box to support the striker.”
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