CATTS PLAYS ON THE EDGE

Lee won’t change style even though some yellow cards have been soft

By his own admission, Lee Cattermole is the type of player who likes to ‘play on the edge’.

But even he is surprised at the number of ‘soft’ yellow cards he’s received this season and the disciplinary standards in League One.

Cattermole, 30, has been booked eight times in just 14 appearances this season, and missed the Black Cats’ draw with Peterborough for accumulating five yellow cards.

Following the midfielder’s booking at Doncaster last week, Jack Ross withdrew Cattermole midway through the second half, with the player walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Ross hinted after the game that the clamour from opposition fans, players and staff every time Cattermole made a tackle was becoming an issue.

The midfielder doesn’t believe he’s being targeted, but does think some of his bookings have been harsh.

“It’s something I’ve always had, but I play on the edge, I’ve always played competitively like that,” Cattermole said.

“I’m going to pick yellow cards up, I’ve probably picked up more this season for soft yellow cards than I was expecting.

“When you come down the leagues you hear how competitive it is, but I’ve been surprised at how soft yellow cards have been handed out.”

Cattermole will receive a two-match suspension if he picks up two more yellow cards before Sunderland have played 37 league games.

If he acquires 15 bookings before the end of the season, the midfielder will miss three successive matches.

For that reason, Cattermole is keeping a close eye on his disciplinary record, but insists he won’t change his game because of it.

“It comes with the game I play and something I’m not going to change now at my age,” said the midfielder.

“I’ve done it all my career and I’m conscious of how many yellow cards I’m on, I don’t want to be missing games.

“I understand the manager took me off (against Doncaster) but that’s the way it is and I’m not going to worry too much about it but it’s something I’ve got my eye on. I don’t want to be picking up too many yellow cards.”