Gus Poyet has revealed Lee Cattermole may require knee surgery. Sunderland’s key midfielder visited a specialist on Friday with his manager praying for the best. “We’ve got a big decision to make about the next few steps,” said Poyet. “An operation would be the worst-case scenario but the best would be for Lee to start jogging on Monday. We need to make sure Lee doesn’t have any more setbacks with his knee.” Sunderland’s manager could have done with Cattermole on the pitch on Saturday when he aims to preside over what would be only his second home Premier League victory of the season, at Burnley’s expense. Although Poyet’s 14 months in charge at the Stadium of Light have already embraced a League Cup final and a successful relegation fight there is a sense that the visit of Sean Dyche’s side represent his biggest challenge yet. The game comes a week after Sunderland’s manager accused the club’s fans of “living in the past” and craving “kick and rush” football. “I don’t want to call Burnley a cup final,” said Poyet. “But some games are more important than others and this one is massive. It could be a turning point that gets back a connection with the fans. One home win can change so many things. “The fans are within their rights to boo the team if we play terribly like we have in the last couple of games at home but I just ask them that, during the game, please stay with us – even if we’re rubbish.” Poyet is not enjoying Sunderland’s current travails. “I’m frustrated,” he said. “I don’t like it. I hate it. I hate losing. We’re nowhere near where I expected us to be at this stage.” He has been accused of employing overly negative, cautious tactics featuring a lack of creativity but refuses to be swayed by such criticism. “I don’t care, said Poyet. “We won games at the end of last season playing that way. At that time those silly people who talk weren’t saying that. I don’t listen to what’s said about me. I live my life and do my best.” Right now he is concentrating on trying to improve the service to his strikers, the newly arrived Jermain Defoe and Scotland’s Steven Fletcher. “I don’t think we play to Fletch’s strengths,” he acknowledged. “I don’t think I’d be able to score too many goals in this team if I was playing because we don’t cross enough. Fletcher needs deliveries but we don’t deliver enough. For balls into the box we’re one of the worst teams.” B U G G E R
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! ****! ****! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! ****! ****! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! ****! ****! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
Whenever I see catts in the team on game day I'm a lil more relaxed, geez we're missing his presence big time. Maybe I'm being biased cause he's my fav player but we are definately struggling without our leader. Funny how more then half the article goes on about Poyet's comments midweek.. I don't care at the moment, just get on the pitch tonight and play hard.
I like catts, however eggs in one basket springs to mind ,if this team mainly revolves around him how about the manager having faith in others or if not doing something about it in the three transfer markets hes had .
Told you's a couple of days ago with my Big Chris post. He's got knee ligament damage. I will be surprised if we see him again this season.
If you believe the papers WHU are prepared to let M.Noble go ?! He took a lot of stick from their fans last season but I like the lad. If Catts was a 'long term' absentee, it may be worth a punt?
Meanwhile, Poyet confirmed that midfielder Lee Cattermole faces two to three weeks on the sidelines with a knee problem after undergoing scans on the injury yesterday.
I hope that's right Comm but let's wait and see. Info I was given they reckon it could be an op and getting him ready for next season.
Thats another reason for having a plan B, Catts has a very poor record when it comes to games per season, Briddo is a very good stand in with Lars or Rodders in support, but Jack Cork would be my choice in an ideal world.
