Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has hailed the impact of Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill following the side's impressive upturn in form.
The north east club has amassed nine wins in all competitions since O'Neill took charge on December 3, including progression into the fifth round of the FA Cup after they beat local rivals Middlesbrough.
The shift in form is in stark contrast with the start of this season where they won just two league games under former manager Steve Bruce.
Phillips, who played for Sunderland between 1997 and 2003 told Sky Sports News: "It's quite remarkable. I've been to a few league games now under Martin O'Neill doing media stuff and it's just incredible.
"Considering it's the same squad of players that Steve Bruce had, it's unbelievable. He did it at Villa and managed to get Villa flying.
"He's great with players and knows how to get the best out of players, and isn't afraid to put players in that perhaps managers before were a bit skeptical about putting in. His impact has been unbelievable."
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Educated Bob,I was at the game v WBA and Superkev was booed as I said tongue in cheek when his name was read out however he was roundly applauded when he ran on as sub !! Of course you being an educator and so infatuated with SAFC will know better ! My point is Kev was interviewed and said he would have loved to come back to SAFC but didnt want to uproot his family. Football wise he would have preferred to come back!
As for "baring", in mind,its not a phrase I have had to use ,so I checked it (Google)and it came out as ok but the right spelling is indeed bearing, however in your last post forawrd is usually spelt forward, Educated Bob !!!
Now please just stop being so silly and abusive "towards" SAFC.
Joseph. The booing was not tongue in cheek and you know it. He has been given a decent reception since but not then so let's not have any more of your petty lying. I did say he preferred to sign for WBA and I was right as he did so what's your point? By the way in your post 45, it's "bearing in mind" not "baring", I know how you like pointing spelling mistakes out so much so there you go, consider yourself a little more educated by the Educator! I do like some mackem players such as Lee Clark, David Kelly and even Quinny and Rat boy, who seem like decent blokes. I can't abide the car wreckers though and look forawrd to justice being done next week. What are your thoughts on their behaviour, you've never said? Strange that.
Educated Bob, so you didnt say he preferred WBA to SAFC, the booing by the way was tongue in cheek !! He was actually applauded !! As I said, you disrespected a great little striker who was in his time scored the most 1st class goals (stats prove it) in Europe !!
You see I would never call Mr.Shearer, ( he is one of the best England has had), but seems you mugpies are that way given !!! If its red and white abuse it !!
By the way the SOL isnt called after a Portugese teams ground,its name is associated with the miners and miners lamp that is outside of the stadium which is built on the old Wearside colliery site,so consider yourself a bit more Educated Bob !!
Joseph. Where was I abusive? I simply said that it was bad form to boo a former player simply because he chose to play for a bigger club like West Brom rather than return to play in front of Pennywell's finest. You, however, bit straight away and called me a FANNY. By the way it hurts so much more when you write it in capitals!
Tony. It would be a bit too easy if I gave you the shirt colours but here's another little clue. They pinched the name of their ground from a successful Portugese team but believe me the surroundings are nothing like Lisbon and finally they have the same sponsors as a shyte soap set in Yorkshire.
colin H. Keep it up. You are fast becoming my favourite mackem. Hope you win another tenner!
Colin h
Cheers for that reply you just won me £20 I had a bet with some imaginary friends regarding your response.
Anyone seen the episode of Alan Partridge where he's criticised for ending all his anecdotes with the phrase 'needless to say I had the last laugh'?
That's Colin that is.
Colin-glad to be of service.
Tony-on the contrary,a full house at the Sportshoe Direct Discount Arena will be a nice precursor to a full house at Wembley for the FA cup final. AAAAHAHAHAHA
Julian
You won't give us a spanking, your lot will freeze in front of a big crowd (again) and your supporters will be heading for the exit by half time (again)
Julian....cheers...and BTW i hope this makes you smile...i have just won £10...honestly it is just too easy for words...
Colin h
If you dont take us seriously why post derogatory remarks in that smug, superior manner? Or are you just naturally smarmy?
P.S. Shearer was better than Phillips.
Well Colin-here's to the 4th and hoping we give them a bloody good spanking they'll not forget in a hurry. Haway the lads!
Julian..Thats fair enough...but believe me when i say that i don't take them seriously in any way..as a matter of fact i find them hilarious in their ignorance and desperation to upset fans of another football club. But unfortunately as easy as they are to "Win" in adult argument i have money riding on them continuing in their own vein..so you keep up the good work (and it is)
Colin h -I saw the point alright and clearly you saw mine. Antagonism ,wind-ups etc. are all part of the inter-board experience, as well as being a source of amusement for yourself and your friends. If participating in the banter makes me simple-minded then I'll live with that.All I can suggest is try not to take it too seriously,roll up your sleeves and get stuck into them-in a metaphorical sense that is.
Julian.... I am sorry that you did not see the point that i tried to make..and if these simple minded nufc antagonists manage to wind anybody up then unfortunately the intended recipients are as simple minded as them. I for one DO follow them because their efforts to achieve this, and self belief, are nothing short of amazing.Also i often win bets at work with real nufc fans who cannot believe it also.
Educated Bob, What part of it dont you get? , all I did ,baring in mind this is an SAFC page, was state facts about Superkev.
It was an abusive clown like you who mentioned stupid false statements like, he preferred WBA to SAFC,(reason being he had settled in the midlands) just to satisfy your anti SAFC lust.
Why cant you just admit the guy was a decent striker,especially with being vertically challenged.
All the other fans and pundits do, but its above you Geordie scum to give any SAFC player credit !! FANNY!!
Colin H-an avid follower of pea-brained comments eh? Who is the bigger fool ? The fool ? Or the fool who follows the fool?
Bob-I was at that game and remember Shearer going down in front of the main stand-his last ever game I believe. A question for you Bob-what team did Shearer take down to the Championship on his managerial debut ? The mention of Kevin Phillips will of course open up old wounds with Geordies so it's less than surprising to see their comments reading as they do. Charlie #38 explains far better than I could ,the reason why a direct comparison between Phillips and Shearer is a folly. Suffice to say,Phillips gave Sunderland fans a lot of pleasure.
I need another clue Bob, what colour shirts do they wear?
If you're struggling with that Shearer related question here's another clue. The result of the game was 4-1 to NUFC. Just last season NUFC beat the same team 5-1. If you use the numbers in that scoreline you also get the bonus point answer. Anyone got it?
Glad to be of service Colin H and I'll keep a steady stream of pea-brained comments coming your way. All the best, love from A. Silly Fool.
Tony, as well as free kicks and penalties don't forget Al used to get a lot of goals by pushing people and heading the ball in. All in all the man was a bit of a bounder! Can anyone remember where he scored his last Premier Lague goal? There's a bonus point if you can remember how many points the team he scored it against got that season too! There you go col, a pea-brained quiz question to keep you going!
Charlie
I don't agree. Ian Wright started his career unable to find a top flight club that wanted him and didn't break through until the age of 22, quite late really. Up til then he bummed around the lower leagues and even motched up a short spell in the clink, It never did him any harm his class was spotted and used by palace and Arsenal. Phillips didn't really get the chance coz he wasn't as good simple as.
If you are a top quality player you will earn the recognition by performing consistently well.
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