Fight returns to our wounded Cats

IT was thought the humiliation at Wigan would kick-start our season, but it appears that hope after Old Trafford has reinstalled belief that we can remain in this division.

We frustrated the champions for well over an hour and can take a lot from Saturday’s performance.

In a match which Roy Keane said would mean no more or less than any other fixture we competed in this year, the former (and current, judging by his reception) United hero patrolled the touchline, snarling in a way more reminiscent of Keane the player.

Nice to see his human side after all.

We’re now six games into the season and it’s been a mixed bag, but there’s enough to suggest that the doom and gloom that has descended upon Wearside since our 3-0 reverse at the JJB was just football fans at their vacillating best.

Defeats against Liverpool and Manchester United were to be expected, but we performed admirably in both matches and showed enough to suggest that if we can raise our game to that level against the big boys, there should be enough in the tank to see off those sniffing around the bottom three.

We snatched a point against Birmingham and a victory over Spurs, meaning we’ve stayed clear of the relegation slots this term. Heavy defeats to Luton and Wigan do rankle, though, and we find ourselves without a win in five, something that needs to end soon. We need to be setting the pace, not chasing.

One major cause for optimism is the transfer window closing with a chairman who has put his money where his mouth is. Despite the Premier League clubs containing six new owners, only four teams have spent more money than us in this transfer window. We’ve broken a national transfer record with the signing of Craig Gordon and Kenwyne Jones became the third most expensive player in our history with his arrival from Southampton.

The question over whether we have had value for our money remains to be seen, although one thing is for certain. Last time we were promoted, Mick McCarthy brought in 12 players to help us survive, at a combined total of £3.5m. This time round we’ve signed the same number and spent tenfold. And despite some Sunderland fans being unhappy with our signings, my opinion is everyone should be given a chance to prove themselves first.

This week, in dire need of a left back, we brought one in. An international with 64 caps, has played in both the English and Spanish top flights and Champions’ League experience to his name, who has only just turned 30. Ian Harte may not have been the big name some people craved, but his pedigree is unquestionable and, with no price tag, is an ideal short-term solution to what has been a long-term problem.

It’s clear there will be no quick-fix way of establishing ourselves in the Premier League. Keane has seen 24 arrivals in his 12 months at the club, as well as sending 31 players out of the Stadium of Light doors. Hopefully the signings of Kenwyne Jones and Danny Higginbotham will prove to be excellent additions and serve us well in coming years. Although Jones worked hard, he had little chance to do himself justice as a lone striker at Old Trafford, but Higginbotham’s debut was encouraging.

For too long, we’ve lacked a central defender who can read the game, organise and cajole a back four, attack the ball, distribute it well and not be bullied. At last we look like we’ve signed someone capable of doing all of this. With Nyron Nosworthy converted to centre half by Keane, we now have a back four that is the manager’s choice, not an inheritance.

It looks like we have an almost complete side for the season ahead. January’s window will bring brief respite, but unless our current crop bomb or our injury list increases, we have enough firepower to stay in this division and prosper without adding to the squad. A midfielder would be nice, but the only urgency around Sunderland now is to keep on keeping on.