Source: Northern_Echo
Nyron an adopted Mackem
NYRON NOSWORTHY'S attachment to Sunderland runs so deep he believes he has Mackem blood[LNB] running through his veins and admits he would love to see out his playing days with the Wearsiders.[LNB] The Brixton-born centrehalf is the longest-serving player in the current squad and has become a cult figure among the Stadium of Light faithful since joining on a free transfer from Gillingham four and half years ago.[LNB] Steve Bruce is the sixth Sunderland boss Nosworthy has worked under, but doubts were raised about the 29-year-old's future at the club once the new gaffer began his squad overhaul.[LNB] The arrival of Michael Turner has restricted Nosworthy to just three Premier League appearances this season but a never-say-die attitude persuaded Bruce to award him with a new deal until 2012.[LNB] There was a lot of talk about me moving on, with other teams putting a bid in for me. If it happened it happened but it didn't, he noted.[LNB] The contract is a reward for my character. I was not the type to mope around the place. I'm bigger than that, built stronger than that. If I can see out my career here then great. But in football, players change clubs every year. I'm up for any challenge. I have had a little taste under the manager, it's hard to sit there and watch the boys playing. I have to keep pushing.[LNB] Former Sunderland boss Roy Keane accused the under-achieving club of having a team that consisted of nearly men' but Nosworthy senses that Bruce is building a squad capable of achieving sustainable success.[LNB] To me this is a position that Sunderland have deserved,'' he said. Since I arrived we have always been playing as the nearly men.[LNB] That's what a former manager used to call us.[LNB] Now we seem to be cutting the other side of it and winning matches when we are supposed to be.[LNB] We have deserved that and so have the punters because they have been to games (in previous seasons) expecting us to lose. We are not the team struggling now, we are beating teams like Wolves comfortably when we are expected to. It's been different.[LNB] It's great to have signed the contract and got the security. I have Mackem blood in me now, so I'm happy. It's important to be smiling. It's a privilege to be a footballer so I try to come in with a smile on my face and enjoy it.[LNB]
