Transfer Rumours 2nd Signing in

Dick's already banging on at him about improving defensively.

Advocaat warns new signing Adam Matthews to up his game if he wants to become first-team star at Sunderland

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Adam Matthews
1HAVE YOUR SAY
Dick Advocaat has warned new boy Adam Matthews he must improve his defensive work if he is to become a first-team star at Sunderland.

Matthews became Sunderland’s second signing of the summer when he completed a £2million move from Celtic on Friday.

The Welshman is renowned as a pacy, attacking full-back, which fitted the bill for Advocaat.

The Black Cats boss wanted a more offensive option at right-back as part of the system he wants to adopt at Sunderland, and was one of the reasons he decided not to offer Frenchman Anthony Reveillere a new contract at the end of the season.


But while he is delighted to have secured the services of Matthews, Advocaat has warned the 23-year-old that he must tighten up defensively if he is to succeed in the Premier League.

Matthews said: “He (Advocaat) just said ‘we’ve been watching you for a while, I like what I see but you’ve got to work on a few things and hopefully I can make you a better player’.

“I’m sure he’ll be able to do that and with the players here I can only improve. I’m very excited to just get started.

“I like to attack but the manager has already told me I need to work on my defending so I’ll try my best to do that.

“I like to get on the ball, I like to get forward and hopefully score a few goals.”

Sunderland moved for Matthews after it appeared Carl Jenkinson wanted to return to West Ham next season, despite the Black Cats having agreed a loan fee with Arsenal.

Director of football Lee Congerton and his scouting team had been keeping tabs on Matthews for a while, but the move still came as a surprise to the defender.

“It’s been very exciting. It happened really quickly which has been a bit of a shock,” Matthews admitted.

“Playing in the Barclays Premier League and in front of great fans and in a big stadium is something I’m looking forward to.

“Obviously, playing at Celtic I’m used to massive crowds and I’m sure they’ll be just as good if not better here so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Matthews could make his Sunderland bow in Thursday night’s first pre-season friendly at Darlington 1883 before the Black Cats jet off to North America on tour.

The Wales International feels that the tour will be a good opportunity to acquaint himself with the rest of the squad ahead of the start of the season in August.

He added: “It’ll be a good opportunity for me to get to know the players.

“You’re interacting with each other more when you’re on tour so that’ll be good for me. Hopefully we’ll come together as a team and start the season as well as we can.

“I’m obviously a bit nervous. Its a big change for me but I’m sure they’ll make me feel welcome and help me improve as a player so I’m looking forward to meeting them all. Hopefully I can settle in really well.”

 

Craig Gordon, loved him like. Quality goalkeeper until Defoe twated him. Mixed feelings about Defoe now haha. See Guidetti was playing aswell, scoring the last goal there. Hear he's a free agent aswell, City didn't offer him a new contract... maybe we'll finally get him this year!

 

I too have battled those demons.

 

Funky, I'm liking that whole conversation going on there between Old Eggnog and Matthews.

You're in the PL where you want to be, but you're not the finished article yet so you need to ****ing prove yourself! Now learn, work your arse off and get out there and make it happen!

 

I love The Little General me

 

Its bloody great having a bloke in charge who knows what he is doing. Finally a man who has the experience at the highest of levels to do something and get it set up properly.. plus it looks like Ellis and Lee will listen to him. No more Poyet's, Di Canio's or FGB's.

 

It's fantastic to have a Continental coach with vast experience from all over the world.

 

Carver?

 

Just happy to have a great, experienced continental coach... to have the premier leagues greatest coach in charge of Sunderland AFC??? Will never happen, we aren't as big as Newcastle

 

Got yerselves a good player - if you can keep him fit.

He's really good going forward and has good positional sense. Played really well in at times Europe. But he has had injury problems.

Good deal for both clubs for a player with a year left on his contract but I'm glad you overlooked the best RB Celtic have - Lustig.

 

Cheers for the insight . Could you explain where the "injury prone" tag comes from? Heard it from pretty much every single Celtic commenter on the lad but just can't understand it...he's played (according to Wiki) 150 games in the last 4 years for you lot?

Last season he appears to have only missed 9(?) league games - probably about average - so I'm struggling to get my head around it. Were these mostly partial appearances? Does he generally only last 60 minutes? What's the issue?

 

On minutes played, only O'Shea and Seb played more last season.

 

Here is some feedback on this guy from a mate of mine who is Celtic through and through.....seems like we've got a good'un

"......He had a great start to his career with CFC, but was never the same after dislocating his shoulder against Motherwell, after being assaulted by two Huns in the penalty box.

He was a long-throw specialist up to that point, but can't do that any more.

He'll be a good player for you, if he can stay free of injury.

Definitely a steal at 2 million quid! It's the only position that we have good cover for, so you are lucky to get him."

 

Yeah, the consensus seems to be "not been the same since the injury"... shame, hopefully he can finally get over it with us though!

 

He's just a kid though. Is this "not been the same" a physical or mental issue?

I'm still unclear about what the issue is regarding these injury issues!

I'm betting it's just spectator / fan / supporter / journo / ignoramus / whatever / whoever / BOLLOCKS!