You can be derby heroes

GUS POYET says a derby hero could be waiting on the bench tomorrow.

FORMER Sunderland boss Peter Reid is backing new manager Gus Poyet to be a success on Wearside ... given time, writes Martin Dunn.

Reid hopes that owner and chairman Ellis Short stands by the the man he installed to follow Paolo Di Canio’s brief stint in the Stadium of Light hotseat.

And Reid knows all about the value of stability at the top, after spending seven and a half years with the club.

Reid said: “It is important that the club is given some stability now and I honestly think that if Gus is given time, he will be a success.

“He is a clever man who knows the game inside out. It is fantastic to watch him work.

“I just think that you can’t keep changing your manager all the time and expect the team to play.”

Reid was back in the North East this week to take part in a charity event for Bradley Lowery’s fight against rare child cancer case of Neuroblastoma.

The 56- year- old spoke to pupils at Wellfield School in Wingate about how they should enjoy their football.

And Reid says that is vital not only for youngsters, but for professionals as well.

He added: “When you enjoy football and enjoy being with the people you play with, it is easier.

“Sunderland is a magnificent club and a one that I love being around with the fans and everything – but it is now a case of knuckling down.

“Gus has a massive job on his hands and I know that he has the quality to be a very good manager.

“If he keeps Sunderland up, then he will have done a brilliant job. It will be amazing – and I hope he can.

“We have some great players there like ( Adam) Johnson and ( Steven) Fletcher, who are brilliant to watch.”

Reid took the Sunderland job on April 1, 1995, with the team fourth from bottom in the old Second Division.

There was a lot of work to do then and, just like this season, Sunderland need things to change quickly.

The former England midfielder did save Sunderland, and then took the side to promotion a year after the epic 4- 3 defeat to Charlton in the play- off final.

There were also two seventhplaced finishes in the Premier League under the Scouser.

And some fans would have welcomed him back after Di Canio’s sacking.

“I wouldn’t have applied, but if I got the call then I would have taken it,” he said.

“It is a fabulous job to have but I know Gus is up to the task.

“The fans get behind everything the players do no matter what, and that is what Sunderland need right now.

“If the crowd roars like they did at Roker, we will be all right.”