Post by Les on Mar 23, 2019 20:36:36 GMT
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lee-cattermole-ten-years-sunderland-16018203
Lee Cattermole on his ten years at Sunderland, the highs and the lows, and developing his style
Lee Cattermole of Sunderland celebrates after he scores their second goal (Image: Sunderland AFC)
No matter how many times he's written off at Sunderland, Lee Cattermole just keeps bouncing back.
This summer he will celebrate the ten-year anniversary that he first joined the Black Cats - a rare feat not many players reach in the modern game of regular transfers.
Even during one of his best campaigns for Sunderland in quite sometime, his high wage at the Stadium of Light means uncertainty surrounds his future beyond the summer.
But as Cattermole prepares to once again play for Sunderland at Wembley next weekend - the Teesside-born midfielder being the only member of the 2014 League Cup finalists still at the club - he admits he couldn't be happier on Wearside.
In a big interview with the PFA about his career, he said: "It makes me proud to have been here ten years.
"It has been difficult at times. I’ve had to keep my focus and not get carried away. It’s too easy to ring your agent and ask to leave.
"I found myself out of the team and suddenly the manager changes and you’re back in and captain again.
"We had the longest spell the club has had in the Premier League but, like all clubs, the managers, directors and owners change. It’s difficult to get to the top of the game and stay there – that’s why someone like Sir Alex Ferguson is a great.
"I feel like the club is heading back that way."
After a few years of turmoil on Wearside, things have been a lot better this season.
Sure, the club have fallen to the third tier of English football for just the second time in their existence. But to put their success down to merely that is far too simplistic, after big changes at an ailing club last summer.
With new owners, a new manager and a new squad, Cattermole is one of very few old faces around the place, and is convinced the changes have been for the better.
"I’ve always been grounded and not thought I’m too advanced for a certain level. I went from 11 years in the Premier League to the Championship, then League One. You have to switch your mindset and turn it into a positive.
"I never thought I’d play this low but that’s no disrespect because it’s brilliant and there are very good players.
"One thing you should always do is honour your contract, turn up for work and do the best you can. The club has changed from top to bottom. And that will send us in the right direction because there is a real feelgood factor.
"100% for us – the fans can have such an impact on the team. If we’re playing good stuff and the boys are confident it’s a terrific atmosphere and a tough place to come.
"It can also work the other way. But I’ve played for teams with a lot smaller crowds and fans who maybe don’t care as much about the football.
"This can be a really special place and on Boxing Day we had over 40,000 for a League One game – no matter what the league, if you’re winning they love it."
For the most part, Sunderland have been winning; or certainly not losing, at least. They've lost twice in the league all season. But one too many draws means that their automatic promotion hopes are going to go down to the wire.
After Barnsley slipped up last weekend against Doncaster, it's back in Sunderland's hands, but the pressure is on Jack Ross' side who will have three games in hand of their promotion rivals after next weekend's cup final, and have a difficult run-in which includes eight games in April.
Despite that, Cattermole hopes Sunderland don't need the play-offs to achieve their goal of a quick return back to the Championship.
"Absolutely not!" he said when asked if he'd like to achieve promotion in style with a second appearance at Wembley in a play-off final.
"I think we’re good enough to go on and win the league. I’m not saying we will but we have great staff, great management and that’s what we want to do."
Incredibly, considering he's been at the club nine years, the 31-year-old only netted his first ever Stadium of Light goal just earlier this year.
Adding goals to his game is something Cattermole has done well this season, scoring six at important times this term.
And he admits he's developed a lot from the young passionate, but, at times, over-eager young pup who broke through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough.
He said: "On and off the pitch I’ve made mistakes and you learn as you go. I’ve been sent off and that hurts.
"I was sent off two times in three games when I was first made captain here. I don’t know if I was too hungry to have an impact or it was too much, too young.
"I’m a much better person in terms of how I feel on the pitch. I feel much calmer and a lot more comfortable about my football.
"There are so many things you look for in a captain and I’m more the typical type. I’m on the front foot, demanding, vocal – whereas other people lead by example and are quite calm. I’ve got more into that role the older I’ve got and as football has changed.
"There aren’t many voices around the training ground. I’ve learned how to pass on advice and not be as aggressive as you might want, because that’s the way players are. I naturally always had a hunger and desire from a young age.
"The style is different with every manager. Some have been high tempo, direct and competitive. Some have been more possession based. I’ve learned to adapt. I’ve watched and listened and taken on advice to improve."
Cattermole will hope to celebrate his ten-year anniversary in style this summer, celebrating the club's first major cup triumph since 1973, and also promotion back to the Championship.
Even if there are still question marks over his future at Sunderland, that outcome would almost certainly seal his legacy as a club legend for the fans on the terraces.
Lee Cattermole on his ten years at Sunderland, the highs and the lows, and developing his style
Lee Cattermole of Sunderland celebrates after he scores their second goal (Image: Sunderland AFC)
No matter how many times he's written off at Sunderland, Lee Cattermole just keeps bouncing back.
This summer he will celebrate the ten-year anniversary that he first joined the Black Cats - a rare feat not many players reach in the modern game of regular transfers.
Even during one of his best campaigns for Sunderland in quite sometime, his high wage at the Stadium of Light means uncertainty surrounds his future beyond the summer.
But as Cattermole prepares to once again play for Sunderland at Wembley next weekend - the Teesside-born midfielder being the only member of the 2014 League Cup finalists still at the club - he admits he couldn't be happier on Wearside.
In a big interview with the PFA about his career, he said: "It makes me proud to have been here ten years.
"It has been difficult at times. I’ve had to keep my focus and not get carried away. It’s too easy to ring your agent and ask to leave.
"I found myself out of the team and suddenly the manager changes and you’re back in and captain again.
"We had the longest spell the club has had in the Premier League but, like all clubs, the managers, directors and owners change. It’s difficult to get to the top of the game and stay there – that’s why someone like Sir Alex Ferguson is a great.
"I feel like the club is heading back that way."
After a few years of turmoil on Wearside, things have been a lot better this season.
Sure, the club have fallen to the third tier of English football for just the second time in their existence. But to put their success down to merely that is far too simplistic, after big changes at an ailing club last summer.
With new owners, a new manager and a new squad, Cattermole is one of very few old faces around the place, and is convinced the changes have been for the better.
"I’ve always been grounded and not thought I’m too advanced for a certain level. I went from 11 years in the Premier League to the Championship, then League One. You have to switch your mindset and turn it into a positive.
"I never thought I’d play this low but that’s no disrespect because it’s brilliant and there are very good players.
"One thing you should always do is honour your contract, turn up for work and do the best you can. The club has changed from top to bottom. And that will send us in the right direction because there is a real feelgood factor.
"100% for us – the fans can have such an impact on the team. If we’re playing good stuff and the boys are confident it’s a terrific atmosphere and a tough place to come.
"It can also work the other way. But I’ve played for teams with a lot smaller crowds and fans who maybe don’t care as much about the football.
"This can be a really special place and on Boxing Day we had over 40,000 for a League One game – no matter what the league, if you’re winning they love it."
For the most part, Sunderland have been winning; or certainly not losing, at least. They've lost twice in the league all season. But one too many draws means that their automatic promotion hopes are going to go down to the wire.
After Barnsley slipped up last weekend against Doncaster, it's back in Sunderland's hands, but the pressure is on Jack Ross' side who will have three games in hand of their promotion rivals after next weekend's cup final, and have a difficult run-in which includes eight games in April.
Despite that, Cattermole hopes Sunderland don't need the play-offs to achieve their goal of a quick return back to the Championship.
"Absolutely not!" he said when asked if he'd like to achieve promotion in style with a second appearance at Wembley in a play-off final.
"I think we’re good enough to go on and win the league. I’m not saying we will but we have great staff, great management and that’s what we want to do."
Incredibly, considering he's been at the club nine years, the 31-year-old only netted his first ever Stadium of Light goal just earlier this year.
Adding goals to his game is something Cattermole has done well this season, scoring six at important times this term.
And he admits he's developed a lot from the young passionate, but, at times, over-eager young pup who broke through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough.
He said: "On and off the pitch I’ve made mistakes and you learn as you go. I’ve been sent off and that hurts.
"I was sent off two times in three games when I was first made captain here. I don’t know if I was too hungry to have an impact or it was too much, too young.
"I’m a much better person in terms of how I feel on the pitch. I feel much calmer and a lot more comfortable about my football.
"There are so many things you look for in a captain and I’m more the typical type. I’m on the front foot, demanding, vocal – whereas other people lead by example and are quite calm. I’ve got more into that role the older I’ve got and as football has changed.
"There aren’t many voices around the training ground. I’ve learned how to pass on advice and not be as aggressive as you might want, because that’s the way players are. I naturally always had a hunger and desire from a young age.
"The style is different with every manager. Some have been high tempo, direct and competitive. Some have been more possession based. I’ve learned to adapt. I’ve watched and listened and taken on advice to improve."
Cattermole will hope to celebrate his ten-year anniversary in style this summer, celebrating the club's first major cup triumph since 1973, and also promotion back to the Championship.
Even if there are still question marks over his future at Sunderland, that outcome would almost certainly seal his legacy as a club legend for the fans on the terraces.