The announcement that Gus Poyet would become Head Coach at Sunderland on a two year deal has left many Mackem fans bemused.
Poyet is never a man short of words, not too dissimilar to Paolo Di Canio, although not quite as extreme! It’s characters like Gus which football needs more of. Although personality is an added bonus, it all comes down to, in the end, if Poyet can get results.
Here’s a few positives for the Sunderland faithful to look forward to during Poyet’s tenure, which is sure to be eventful whatever happens.
Tightening up the Defence
Somewhat unsurprisingly for a team who lie at the bottom, Sunderland have conceded the most goals in the Premier League – conceding 16 goals from a total of 7 matches. Mackem’s will be happy to hear that Poyet’s first call will be to tighten the defence and to reduce numbers in the ‘Goals Against’ column in the table.
At Brighton last season, Poyet can boast he had the best defensive record in the whole division – which isn’t bad for a team who finished in 4th place. Some results may be unspectacular and narrow, but Poyet has the power to grind out wins.
Style of Football
Poyet is very set on his footballing philosophy – Gus likes to play keep ball and pass it along the ground. Sunderland fans you will rarely see the ball go above the ground, even goal kicks, where Poyet opts for a short pass to a near by defender.
Gus is a big believer in the theory ‘If you have the ball, then the opposition can’t score’
Charlie Oatway
Another new face at Sunderland, which I doubt any of you will have heard of, is Charlie Oatway, who has joined Gus’ backroom staff.
Oatway’s full name is Anthony Phillip David Terry Frank Donald Stanley Gerry Gordon Stephen James Oatway. Both Charlie’s parents were Queens Park Rangers fans and named him after the entire QPR first team squad of 1973.
Oatway is a popular character amongst fans and players alike, and will bring morale to the Sunderland changing room. Expect a lot of jokes and gags from the little man from Shepherd’s Bush.