Black refusing to press panic button

13 February 2010 09:30
ASSISTANT manager Eric Black has insisted there will be no panic at Sunderland as they attempt to halt their recent slide.[LNB] Black, number two to Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light, knows calm reflection will be far more productive as the Black Cats attempt to halt a run of 12 Premier League games without a win which has seen them slip to within three points of the relegation zone.[LNB] I have been in the game since I was 16, more than 30 years now, said Black.[LNB] There's always been pressure, when I have been playing, if my scoring ratio was down, whatever.[LNB] I have been a manager a couple of times and that brings its own pressure. But there will be no knee-jerk reactions.[LNB] We know we can't allow this (run of form) to continue.[LNB] It's our responsibility and the buck stops with us, we are under no illusions about that.[LNB] What we can't do is go into panic mode and start doing things which we know aren't right. We will stay strong to our beliefs and take things forward.'' Meanwhile, there was some good news on the injury front for the Black Cats with the chest pains midfielder Steed Malbranque suffered during Tuesday night's clash with Portsmouth now put down to a muscle injury.[LNB] Malbranque, 30, was taken to hospital on the south coast after collapsing during the first half of his side's 1-1 draw at Fratton Park. However, he was released after checks and allowed to fly back to the North-East the same night.[LNB] The Black Cats' doctor, Glen Rae, said: Steed has a musculo-skeletal chest problem for which he is receiving treatment.[LNB] We are very grateful for the help of Portsmouth medical team, paramedics and Portsmouth local hospital for their help on Tuesday for arranging appropriate investigations for us.''[LNB] lvador Cabanas' agent has insisted Sunderland are still interested in the striker, despite his horrific injury.[LNB] The Paraguay international was high on Steve Bruce's wish-list in the January transfer window but the 29-year-old was almost killed after being shot in the head last month.[LNB] Cabanas is recovering in hospital from the incident in Mexico City, which police believed was premeditated, and it is uncertain whether the Club America forward will be able to play football again.[LNB] But his agent, Jose Maria Gonzalez, said: I have talked to Steve Bruce and he told me if a miracle happens with Salvador and he recovers, he still wants him.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo