Garth Crooks makes his feelings known on Sunderland boss David Moyes.
Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that he feels David Moyes’ attitude is holding Sunderland’s players back.
Commenting in his Team of the Week column, in which he selected two Black Cats players, he suggested David Moyes’ dour demeanour and negative outlook means his players are not reaching their potential.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Crooks said: “I do wish the Sunderland manager wasn’t so publicly negative about his team’s capabilities. His team might be in the bottom three but it doesn’t mean that they are not capable of special moments.
“What Van Aanholt produced was one of those special moments and I am sure there is more where that came from – if only the manager exuded a little more belief.”
Sunderland beat Watford 1-0 at the weekend through a Patrick Van Aanholt goal, keeping a rare clean sheet.
Sunderland are currently in 18th place, just one point away from Crystal Palace in 17th.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford celebrates
Crooks also picked out Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for praise, naming him along with Van Aanholt into his team of the week.
He said: “The save from Watford midfielder Nordin Amrabat wasn’t bad but the punch in the heat of the battle followed by the saves from Daryl Janmaat and then Odion Ighalo were simply brilliant. This is an English goalkeeper with a very bright future.”
Pickford stepped into the team during Vito Mannone’s injury, and has kept his place since the Italian’s return.
Sunderland will know that staying up could be crucial to keeping Pickford, with the high quality of his performances likely to have the vultures circling.
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