The former Republic of Ireland midfielder played for the Black Cats between 2001 and 2004.
Former Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer has told BBC 5 Live Sport that beleaguered Black Cats manager David Moyes is ‘indecisive’, whilst also criticising the former Everton boss’s underwhelming recruitment during the summer transfer window.
Moyes was named as Black Cats manager in July, following Sam Allardyce’s appointment as England national team manager. However, the former Manchester United manager, who was desperate to repair his tarnished reputation following inferior stints at Old Trafford and Real Sociedad, has endured a nightmare start to his career on Wearside.
Winless Sunderland currently find themselves rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after taking just two points from their opening nine fixtures, and disgruntled fans are already beginning to question Moyes’ suitability for the job after one of the most abject runs of form in the club’s recent history.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder McAteer, who played for the Black Cats between 2001 and 2004, has told BBC Radio 5 Live that he believes Sunderland’s current plight is largely down to Moyes’ derisory summer dealings, whilst also expressing his belief that the club’s squad is not fit for the arduous relegation battle that they currently face:
“He is an indecisive manager when it comes to parting with his money, when it comes to picking his players.” McAteer said.
“He does dally a little bit in the transfer market in the sense of, should I? shouldn’t I? In the end he’ll go against it.
“It was always going to be a fight this season. They’re (the Sunderland squad) not players that are going to fight and roll their sleeves up when it’s not going well. “
Moyes’s misery was further compounded on Wednesday night, as he was sent to the stands for using insulting language towards a match official during Sunderland’s 1-0 EFL Cup round of 16 defeat to Southampton; an offence which later led the FA to charge him with ‘improper conduct’.
The former Preston North End manager did initially struggle following his appointment as Everton boss in 2002 before leading the Toffees to a prolonged spell of success in the top-flight, including qualification for the Champions League.
However, the Scotsman’s early teething problems at Goodison Park pale in comparison to the baptism of fire he is currently experiencing at The Stadium Of Light, and Sunderland could repeat Aston Villa’s trick of last season and be virtually relegated by Christmas unless their abysmal run of form takes a drastic upturn over the coming weeks.
The Black Cats welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light in Saturday’s early lunchtime kick-off and if Moyes is to ride out the storm and prove that he is capable of salvaging Sunderland’s season before the damage is irreparable then the 53-year-old could really do with upsetting the form book and claiming a colossal three points against Arsene Wenger’s red-hot Gunners.
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