Source: Northern_Echo
Cats getting the best out of me – Bardsley
AFTER an uncertain few months last season, Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley believes he is enjoying his best season in football since turning professional.[LNB] The full-back's future on Wearside was in doubt at the end of last season when he fell out of favour with manager Steve Bruce.[LNB] That prompted rumours Bardsley would move on last summer and the Salford-born defender admits the speculation gave him the wake-up call he needed.[LNB] A grueling summer training camp with European super-featherweight champion Steve Foster Jr helped Bardsley get into what he feels is the best shape of his career and it is fair to say the former Manchester United trainee has been one of Sunderland's top performers this term.[LNB] But when asked how he felt about the possibility of being named the club's player of the year, the 25-year-old insists he is concentrating on continuing the form which has earned him a place in the Scotland squad.[LNB] Personally, I've really enjoyed this season, it's probably the best season I've had in my career, the left-back said.[LNB] I'm just enjoying myself again, training and playing. If I can continue that, there is half a chance I might get that award, but I know there are more important things for me to be worrying about first.[LNB] I don't know, there is still a long way to go. There are ten games and anything I could happen, I could have a nightmare in those.[LNB] I had started to take things for granted, being a footballer, coming into training every day. I'd lost that edge and that enjoyment. I didn't appreciate what I had.[LNB] You go through the motions in training and go home after it. I needed a rocket up my backside.[LNB] I decided I had to do something about it and it just goes to show the rewards are there if you get your head right and put the effort in. I'm playing the best football I've played in a long time.[LNB] I decided I had to give myself the best possible chance of being a success at Sunderland.[LNB] I had a year left here and there was a lot of speculation I would be leaving.[LNB] I just felt I had to get myself right and into the best shape possible for the season.[LNB] I did that and I'm reaping the rewards now. I'm enjoying every minute of it.[LNB] I think footballers can get complacent and they can take it for granted. If you're out of the side, not playing, it can become difficult to motivate yourself.[LNB] But I think you have to take a good look at yourself and ask what you want to get from the game. I looked in the mirror and I wanted to play football.[LNB] It's a short career and I decided I wanted to make the most of it. I've managed to get the best out of myself.[LNB] They say defenders get better with age and I hope there is more to come from me.[LNB] I've had a solid season and I hope to build on that in the future. First and foremost, though, it's about us maintaining our place in the top half of the league.[LNB] After enjoying a promising first half of the season, the Black Cats suffered their fourth straight defeat at the hands of Everton on Saturday.[LNB] Arsenal, Liverpool at Manchester City are next up for the Bruce's men but it is imperative they avoid three further defeats, which would seriously harm their hopes of a top-ten finish.[LNB] But Bardsley is backing the side to bounce back and insists the squad is confident they can get their season back on track.[LNB] The Everton game was the worst of the lot, the Scotland international said.[LNB] It's the only one we have played badly in. We didn't turn up really, we didn't give a good account of ourselves and that is the most disappointing thing.[LNB] I think, in every game this season, we've at least given a good account of ourselves, even if we have lost.[LNB] We feel as though we let everybody down, the fans, the manager and the staff.[LNB] It is difficult when you're on a run like this, it doesn't matter how experienced you are. We're stuck in a bit of a rut and unfortunately, at the minute, it's just not happening for us.[LNB] We've got to keep working hard and make sure we stick together and it will turn.[LNB] It's how you react in this game and we have been here before.[LNB] I think we've got the players in the squad now who can cope with it and come out the other side.[LNB]
