ACTUALITE |
23.03.2002
Mboma targets long stay in `exciting` Premiership
Patrick Mboma is keen to secure a permanent contract with Sunderland, despite the Wearsiders` disappointing form.
"People told me it was really exciting to play in the Premiership and, now that I am here, it is even more exciting than I could have imagined," the Cameroon star said.
Sunderland lie just four points off the relegation zone and desperately need a win from their home game against Southampton on Saturday.
"I`ve scored one goal for the club but I want to score at the Stadium of Light as soon as possible," Mboma said. "I will be trying my best against Southampton because I think one goal will be enough to take the points and relieve the pressure."
And the 31-year-old insists he would rather stay on Wearside than return to Parma.
"The Italians are used to saying they are the best and that they know everything about football. But they`ve got to show it on the pitch and the fact very few grounds are full these days shows that they haven`t done it in Europe this season.
"The Premiership is far more exciting, especially for a striker. I`ve only started one game so far at the Stadium of Light but the crowd was over 40,000 and the atmosphere was tremendous."
Sunderland are boosted for Saturday`s game by the return of Kevin Phillips, Claudio Reyna and Joachim Bjorklund from injury, while Jason McAteer is back from suspension.
Manager Peter Reid insists that his team have not been playing badly of late - they have just failed to take their chances.
"We have players who have got goals in them and it`s just a matter of trying to get there and stick the ball in the back of the net," he said "It`s a lot to do with confidence and an early goal would help.
"There`s a lot of pressure on Kevin Phillips, so we`ve go to share the load. The team has got goals in it on paper, but they`ve got to do it on the pitch."
And he agreed that the arrival of Mboma had done much to raise morale in the squad.
"Patrick Mboma has been like a breath of fresh air," he said. "He`s bubbly and done well for us on the pitch but as for his future, we`ll have to wait until the end of the season.
"His arrival has enabled Niall Quinn to rest and that`s been a big bonus, as I`m sure Quinny will have a big say in the last few games of the season."
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Hits: 1 | Source:One Football | |
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