Source: Northern_Echo
Mignolet can make me better - Gordon
CRAIG Gordon believes that having Simon Mignolet as an understudy has given him an extra incentive to perform as well as he can for Sunderland.[LNB] Gordon, 27, made a man of the match performance against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, with his 45th minute save from Zat Knight being replayed constantly over the weekend.[LNB] And the former Hearts man admitted that Mignolet's unexpected swift success at the Stadium of Light has given him a lot to think about.[LNB] He said: "While I was injured, Simon Mignolet was in the team - he's a top class keeper who will play for many years in this league.[LNB] "I was not too disappointed when he was playing well, because it gave me an extra few weeks to get fit. I was able to come back slowly and get back in in good shape.[LNB] "But if you stand still here younger players will come in and take your place. I need to keep playing as well as I can."[LNB] Mignolet, a summer signing from Belgian side St Truiden, has made more appearances than Gordon this season, but after Gordon's performance on Saturday, it may be some time before he will be called upon again.[LNB] The save has inevitably led to comparisons with former Black Cats keeper Jimmy Montgomery and Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce's old teammate from Manchester United.[LNB] But Bruce said Schmeichel and Gordon could not be compared.[LNB] I'm certainly not mentioning Schmeichel that's for sure, otherwise Schmeichel will be on the phone," Bruce joked.[LNB] "Schmeichel had to be loud to concentrate - he wasn't happy unless he was involved with every single thing. Craig's completely different. I wouldn't even try to bring it out of him. He's quiet.[LNB] "You're comparing him with arguably the best keeper the Premier League has ever seen and that in itself is high esteem. The kid has got fantastic ability and he needs to stay injury free and grow in the confidence like he's got at the back end of last season.[LNB] "He was absolutely fantastic then. I hope the thing he needs is to stay on the pitch and to stop these injuries and taking plates out of his arm when it wasn't ready. And then judge him."[LNB] Gordon, meanwhile, is confident that Sunderland can maintain their impressive form in the wake of October's derby defeat to Newcastle.[LNB] He said: "We have been doing well at the moment. It has been a good start to the season so far for us.[LNB] "We have not been beaten too many times and we have a knack of keeping clean sheets so we are happy at how it is progressing.[LNB] "We have a lot of big teams chasing us but we have to keep our feet on the ground, working hard and doing the things that got us here in the first place.[LNB] "Everytime we have suffered defeat this season we have bounced back. That is pleasing. We have kept clean sheets and that is pleasing too. Defensively we are pretty good. And at the other end we have Gyan Welbveck and Bent who are always scoring."[LNB] The Black Cats visit Old Trafford on Boxing Day to face Manchester United, and, following Sunderland's 2-2 draw there last season, Gordon is upbeat over his side's chances.[LNB] He said: "There have been a few blips in our away record but we have been sound. From a defensive aspect we have been alright at Man United which is no mean feat. To go there and get something would be a great achievement. Get the defensive side of things right, we have not lost many goals, we will give ourselves a chance."[LNB]
