My debt to Reid - Phillips

Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has revealed the “sadness” he felt at the sacking of Peter Reid but he has urged his team-mates not to allow sentiment to affect their future performances.

The 29-year-old forward has sat out the last five weeks after a hernia operation and has been powerless to help the cause as Sunderland slipped to 17th in the Premiership.

“Everyone was obviously disappointed but have accepted it now,” said Phillips.

“We’ll all rally round together, have a good training session again today and keep doing so until someone is in place.

“We’ve got to be upbeat now and got to forget it, it’s happened. You can say we mourned a little bit yesterday but today we’ve got get on and look forward to the West Ham game (on Saturday week).

“We’ve got to keep in good shape mentally and I’m sure we’ll be in good shape physically.”

But he underlined the debt of gratitude he owes Reid.

“I’ve only ever played under Peter Reid and there’s two people in my football career who I owe a lot to. Glenn Roeder (his manager at Watford) for giving me the chance and Peter Reid for taking me that one step further.

“Since coming to Sunderland I’ve had success in the First Division and the Premiership and I’ve also broken into the international scene.

“I owe it to Peter and I’m disappointed he’s gone but we all know him and I’m sure he’ll be back.

“Wherever he goes I’m sure he’ll be a success. We wish him all the best and now we must concentrate on ourselves.”

Phillips stressed that everyone in the team now had to pull together and give the new manager every chance to lift the side.

“Only time will tell how well we’ll move on. Whoever comes in, they’ve still got the same players,” he told the club’s website, www.safc.com.

“We contributed to Peter’s downfall and we owe it to ourselves to go out and put some good performances in and show the new manager.

“The slate is wiped clean and we all start from scratch.

“We’re fighting for our places if not our careers and it’s important we put in good performances and look to impress.”

Meanwhile, the club have received some good news with 28-year-old captain Michael Gray signing a new contract which will keep him at the Stadium of Light for another four years.

“I’m delighted to have the new contract sorted out. When you are in talks it’s in the back of your mind. Now I just want to concentrate on my football and do well for the next four years,” said Gray, who has already been with Sunderland for 10 years.

“In this day and age it is uncommon for players to stay at one club for as long as I’ve been at Sunderland but it’s a honour for me. I’m proud of the record.

“I don’t know anything different to Sunderland Football Club and I love it here, especially as it’s my hometown club.

“Peter Reid gave me the captain’s armband a couple of season ago and it’s was a special moment for me. Every time I wear that arm-band I feel proud and I want to continue in the job.

“I owe a lot to Peter Reid and he’ll always be the most important person in my career.”