Sunderland are now reaping the rewards of a fully fit captain Corry
Sunderland captain Corry Evans believes supporters are now starting to see the best of him after a stop-start campaign.
The 31-year-old midfielder joined the Black Cats from Blackburn in the summer but started just four of the Black Cats’ first 14 league games due to injury setbacks.
Evans has faced criticism fromfansforhisperformances this season but has been a key player in recent weeks, while producing a man of the match performance during Sunderland’s goalless draw at Plymouth.
“I’m starting to feel strong and fit in myself,” Evans said after the match at Home Park.
“I’m playing a lot more football and 90 minutes continuously and every footballer that does that they’ll tell you the same thing. It just helps you with the stamina and endurance you pick up from playing week in, week out. It's only going to help you in games.”
He added: “At the start of the season and throughout it wasabitstop-startwiththeinjuries and it just took a bit of a while to get going.
“I missed a large chunk of pre-seasonandIthinkanyprofessionalfootballerknowsthat when you miss that through whatever reason it takes a while to get your rhythm going again.
“As the manager has come in I’ve played a lot of games and alotofminutesandamreaping the rewards of that now.”
Sunderland boss Alex Neil has spoken about Evans’ importance to the team, highlightingthemidfielder’sability to prevent counter-attacks in front of the side’s defence.
The Black Cats’ defensive record has significantly improved under Neil, and when asked if there has been more emphasis on that side of the gameEvansreplied:“Ithinkwe are just more aware of our defensive responsibilities when we are on the ball in terms of setting up to not be broke on and to not be so expansive to concede soft goals.
“Ithinkwejusthavetokeep that going and it’s good to have that base going into games that we can keep clean sheets and it’ll help us moving forward.”
On his own position playinginfrontofSunderland’sdefendersandbeinganextraman behind the ball, Evans added: “It’snotjustmyself,Ithinkeverybody has that responsibility in the team.
“Obviously myself and Bails (BaileyWright)areinthereand wehavetotryandorganisethat to try and set things up behind the ball when we do have it so wecannullifythethreatswhen they do come.”