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Nosworthy’s bravery earns praise from Sunderland boss
ROY Keane has labelled Nyron
Nosworthy a warrior' after the
centre-back played through the
pain barrier to keep Aston Villa's
attacking threat to a minimum at
Villa Park on Saturday.
Nosworthy appeared certain to
be taken off after suffering an apparent
dead leg with 20 minutes
remaining, but with no defensive
options on the bench he battled
on and continued to make challenge
after challenge.
The defensive performance of
the player, whose tackling statistics
are among the best in the Premier
League, was key to Sunderland
winning their first away
game of the campaign.
"I thought Nyron Nosworthy
was outstanding - he was a warrior,"
said Keane. "The defence
got turned once or twice which
was perhaps inexperience coming
through but they got away
with it and potentially rode their
luck.
"Nyron took a few knocks but
that is good - if you get through
a Premier League game without
a knock then there is something
wrong with you.
"There were ice packs on plenty
of my players' legs but I get
worried when I don't see ice on
their legs. They should be getting
knocks.
"We've got a decent group and
it was far from doom and gloom
in the dressing room after the
game."
Despite the euphoria following
the away win, Keane insisted he
has no fears his players will get
too carried away. With just four
points separating Sunderland
from the bottom three the manager
simply won't let them.
"I think it will be very easy to
keep the players' feet on the
ground. We've won one away
from home - if that is something
to get carried away with then
we're all in trouble," said Keane.
"I have great faith in the players
- I work with them every day.
Even at training on Friday I
looked at them and thought
They're a good strong unit'.
There is no problem with any of
the players - they're focused.
"It wasn't as if the away win
hadn't looked like coming. I can
think of seven or eight games
where we've done enough to win,
but then one mistake has cost us
- whether that is at Derby the
other week or Portsmouth where
we just haven't got over the finishing
line.
"We just haven't been able to do
it - it hasn't been like we've been
battered."
Keane also praised three of the
players left out against Chelsea -
Kieran Richardson, Michael
Chopra and Daryl Murphy - who
were instrumental on Saturday.
The manager said they had lost
a bit of edge in training which is
why they were left out and he was
impressed with their response.
"I left three players out last
week but they've all come back in
and contributed," said Keane.
"Michael got the goal, Daryl
was outstanding and Kieran got
another game under his belt.
"We've got a decent squad, I
have to say. I am fortunate in that
they're all getting fit at the right
time. I had to leave one or two behind
but for next Saturday I've
got a tough, tough selection problem.
But it's nice because I
haven't had that problem since
I've become manager, and certainly
not since we got into the
Premier League.
"Trust me - I prefer those problems
than having a shortage of
players. Maybe that's
why we've seen a
sharper performance
from one or two because
they're
fighting for their
places. You
can't beat that
at a football
club - it's
priceless."
One
player
who appears
certain
to slip
through
Keane's
grasp, however, is Jonny Evans.
The 20-year-old is proving a
success in his second loan at the
Stadium of Light forming a formidable
defensive pairing with
Nosworthy.
Keane was hoping to push
through a £2m deal at the end of
the season but Manchester United
manager Sir Alex Ferguson
wants him back.
Ferguson said: "They're gaining
valuable experience as well as
doing a good job for their clubs
but they're coming back.
"They will get the chance to
prove they have a future here."
10:50am Monday 24th March 2008
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