By GRAEME ANDERSON

MICHAEL Bridges says that under Sam Allardyce, each Sunderland player will become a personal project for the new manager.

And he says everyone in the Black Cats’ squad will get the maximum help to make the most of their game.

The former Sunderland striker experienced first-hand how well Allardyce and his coaching staff worked with players during a brief stay at Bolton Wanderers in 2004.

“I was impressed from the beginning with his words of wisdom and advice he had for trying to get me back to the form I showed at Sunderland and Leeds in the previous years,” recalled a player

who was the Black Cats’ record sale when he was transferred to Leeds United for £5m in 1999.

“I’d had a couple of horrendous ankle injuries at Leeds but he was determined to get the best out of me.

“He had the Bolton analysis team make a DVD of my goals and assists which we watched with all the coaching team and he said: ‘This is what we want to see here, we want to get you back to your best.’

“They did that with all the new signings at the time, the likes of Les Ferdinand and Gary Speed.

“Sam had a great staff behind him and all of the staff seemed to be ex-players one way or another physios, fitness coaches, masseurs who either retire or got injured out of the game and went away and learnt their trade in other areas

“His staff all understood the game the banter and the spirit, plus he created a winning environment with a hard work ethic.”

Bridges says as well as being an innovative and creative coach, Allardyce was also ‘old-school’ in the way he looked after and treated his players.

“All in all Sam was ahead of his time and I had the privilege of witnessing his methods, even if is was just for four months before I returned to Sunderland under Mick McCarthy.

“I hated managers who you can’t trust but Big Sam was honest with me.

“He said before the season started: ‘You are not going to be starting much this season and will have to wait for injuries to get your chance. We love having you here and you can stay however I have to tell you Sunderland are interested and you will get more game time, so it’s up to you young man.’

“He left the decision to me and of course I wanted to come to Sunderland but it shows how respectful the man is and why players like him on and off the field.”