Boss feels sorry for ‘important’ Cattermole

CHRIS Coleman says he “felt sorry” for Lee Cattermole after the midfielder was sent off after collecting two bookings in less than a minute at Wolves.

Cattermole was dismissed just after the hour by referee Jeremy Simpson having being cautioned twice in quick succession for fouls on Romain Saiss and Jota.

That left Sunderland fighting a rearguard action for the remainder of the game, but they stood firm to earn a clean sheet and a point against the Championship leaders at Molineux.

Cattermole, who will miss next weekend’s home game against Fulham through suspension, will come in for renewed criticism for his indiscipline but, in fact, the 29-yearold has matured with age and this was his first red card for more than four years.

“I thought the first card, there were other challenges on the pitch similar to that and there wasn’t a card. I’ve seen them not given,” said Coleman.

“The second one, okay, I can understand that.

“I felt sorry for Lee. The game was fast, he had a role to play him and Darron [Gibson] positionally, it was important to stay central to the pitch. The timing of it was a big test for us.

“We managed to contain them in the first half, I don’t think we had a save to make. They were always going to have that possession, they are the best team in this league.

“We had a game plan, to frustrate them which we did; when you go down to 10 men, it is hard enough with 11 against them; with 10 we really had to dig deep.

“Lee is important to us, I see him every day, we need that experience. The players rolled their sleeves up, that’s all you can ask.” Lee Cattermole walks off the field after being sent off