The former Everton boss is already coming under some pressure at Sunderland.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Former Sunderland player Kevin Kilbane was interviewed by the club earlier today. The versatile ex-Ireland international spent four years at the Stadium of Light, before being signed by the current Sunderland manager David Moyes at Everton.
Kilbane went on to spend 3 years at Everton, making 121 appearances for Moyes. Having interviewed his former manager as part of his media work today, Kilbane caught up with Sunderland’s own media team to give his views on the Black Cats new boss.
The 39-year-old openly admitted that he was bias when it comes to Moyes, but said he felt the Scotsman needed to time to take on what is a massive job at Sunderland, and build not just a team around him, but a club.
Kevin Kilbane in action for Everton
Kilbane stated, “There’s no better man that can build a club, and I know that I’m biased when I say that, but I speak to a lot of my ex-teammates and people who’ve now gone into coaching, and how much he’s influenced those people and how much he’s influenced players and how much he’ll continue to influence players.”
“I think it’s got to be a long-term view here because as it’s been proven over the years, there’s no short-term fix. The difficulty is maybe that short-term fix that’s always worked, but it hasn’t worked in the long run, so we always seem to find ourselves back to square one with it.”
There is an ongoing debate among Sunderland fans with regards to what is more important, maintaining their Premier League status or perhaps sticking with David Moyes even if the team are relegated and coming back stronger.
Everton’s Aaron Lennon in action with Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole
Kilbane gave Sunderland fans cause for optimism in their current situation, saying, “He’s certainly one that you’d want in your club when the chips are down.”
“He was always very, very good with players,” Kilbane commented, going on to talk about Moyes’ work on the training ground at Everton and adding, “He always seemed to get the best out of the players at his disposal, whatever their ability. Maybe some might say that certain sides he’s had have over achieved.”
That may be the case, but Sunderland aren’t over achieving right now. Five defeats, one draw, no wins, 5 goals scored and 12 goals conceded are the damning stats which sum up David Moyes’ start to life in the North East.
Kevin Kilbane won 110 caps for Ireland
Sunderland fans are unlikely to be too reassured by the words of Kilbane, given that he is someone who obviously knows David Moyes well and appears to be quite close with him. Having said that, there are a number of fans who are tired of chopping and changing and feel the club needs to put their faith in the man who once finished in the Champions League places with Everton.
Ahead of this weekends clash with West Brom, Kilbane called it a game that Sunderland will have “targeted at the start of the season,” claiming, “West Brom, if they come away from the Stadium of Light with a point, they’ll think it’s a good result.”
“The onus is on Sunderland,” Kilbane said, adding that the pressure on Sunderland to attack West Brom could be a problem, with Tony Pulis’ men having been very effective on the counter-attack this season. Kilbane ended on a positive note, stating that if Sunderland do win this weekend, he expects them to go on a good run.
Can Sunderland stay up this season?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
