United spirit helping make Cats a Premier force

8:43am Saturday 30th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

DURING Roy Keane’s days as Manchester United captain, the club were renowned for late heroics. And former Red Devil Phil Bardsley feels an element of United’s never-saydie spirit will be present against Manchester City tomorrow.

When it comes to scoring in the latter stages of matches, this season has started in a similar fashion to the last.

Bardsley’s 86th minute equaliser in midweek set Sunderland up for an extra-time Carling Cup win over Nottingham Forest, while Djibril Cisse headed Sunderland’s second at Tottenham seven days ago in the 83rd minute.

To score late on is not something new to the Black Cats, the trend was set last season.

Thirteen of Sunderland’s 39 points in the Premier League came from goals in the closing five minutes.

And boyhood United fan Bardsley claims it is no coincidence there are so many late goals at Sunderland when Keane is in charge.

“I hope there is some of that United spirit in us because we have a never give up attitude,”

said Bardsley. “You saw it at Man United when the manager was playing because of his character and desire to drive the team on.

“Players also have to have that themselves, though, and we have a few characters in the dressing room who are ready to stick their foot in and get dirty. That is a big part of team spirit and getting results.

“We know looking around the dressing room and know they are willing to go right to the end. We have shown that against Forest.”

Sunderland will learn who they will be paired with in the third round of the Carling Cup at 12.15pm today, before attempting to make it back-toback Premier League wins at home to City tomorrow.

Despite losing the first match at home to Liverpool, Sunderland have looked a decent proposition in their opening three fixtures of the campaign – despite making so many new signings.

By the time Sunderland travel to Wigan on September 13, Keane should also be able to call on Anton Ferdinand and a new left-back.

And Bardsley, 23, has been impressed by the way the new, higher profile signings have slotted straight in.

“We are a new team with new players and we are looking forward to moving on,”

said Bardsley, whose position could be under threat if another full-back arrived.

“We are going in the right direction and the manager is strengthening the squad. If another defender comes in whoever comes in, I am not going to roll the red carpet out – they will have to work hard.

“I am always a player who wants to win and have the same desire to win as the manager.

“Everybody knows what the gaffer is all about and his tenacity about the place especially in training and before games, he has a big say.”