Newly-appointed South Shields manager Kevin Phillips is keen to create a link between Shields and Sunderland. The European Golden Boot winner also spoke about having a conversation with fellow legend, Julio Arca.
LOANS
“I think that’s what it is at all levels really and to try and lean on each other for experience. But I think moving forward the link is definitely if Sunderland sign a player and they think he has to go out on loan, can we look at that, facilitate that."
SPEAKMAN
“I’m not too full up on it yet but I believe there are some chats going on at the beginning of next month, which I’ll sit in on. I know Kristian Speakman well, I worked with him at Birmingham so there are conversations going on."
BENEFITS
“It can only benefit the club, of course. At some point maybe we can go along and use their facilities at some point and be plusses from it. It would be great to have that link with such a great football club.”
TYPICAL
"I’ve been to watch them six or seven times - it’s typical Sunderland, up and down. They are heading in the right direction, they are sitting third in the league, a bit like us."
PRESSURES
“There’s pressure on, Lee knows that, there's less pressure on myself, but we are both sitting in the same place in the league. There’s still half a season to go but there’s pressure on both people and it’s exciting pressure for me."
CHAT WITH LJ
“We just had a general chat in terms of the link and he wished me good luck, he said it would be tough, but you’ve got to be prepared for the ups and the downs, which I am. We are looking forward to working closely together, not so much for the rest of this season, but more towards the end of the season and pre-season, talking about players.”
ARCA
“I’ve not got a bar named after me anywhere! I’ve got Julio’s number, I’d be daft not to speak to him. I didn’t realise he played for Middlesbrough for seven years, I only thought he was there for a couple of years. He had six at Sunderland, so he’s a North East legend and, of course, a South Shields legend lifting the Vase. Why would I not tap into his experience at some point."
PICK HIS BRAINS
"Hopefully he will come over, I believe he was here a few weeks ago, but if he comes over again I’d love to get him into the training ground to talk to the lads. I think it would be a massive buzz for them, but I’ll certainly be giving him a call. It’s on my to-do list for next week, pick his brains because he knows most of these players and he’s a good lad as well.”
