Source: Northern_Echo
Zenden stands up for starlets after below par effort
SUNDERLAND midfielder Bolo Zenden defended the young players who have helped drive the club's recent revival after they failed to shine at Upton Park.[LNB] Jordan Henderson and David Meyler are about to be rewarded with five-year contracts after making the successful transition from promising reserves to first team regulars.[LNB] But against West Ham neither showcased their burgeoning talent to any great effect.[LNB] Zenden refused to be drawn by suggestions that Sunderland lacked experience in the middle of the park but he noted that the club's rising stars face a weekly battle to retain their places.[LNB] Asked if it was too much to expect the likes of Lee Cattermole, Henderson and Meyler to run the midfield every week, the Dutchman replied: Am I the right man to answer that If I point the finger at anyone it may be interpreted the wrong way.[LNB] The young lads that have come in this season have done really well and put themselves on the map.[LNB] I remember when I was a young boy and came through they always said to me the hardest thing is to get there and stay there. Some of them are in the team and it's a matter of making sure they perform well, week in week out.[LNB] If you can tell me why we struggle for results away from home then please do, I can't work it out![LNB] Honestly I don't know how it's been in the past but the results on the road just aren't coming. You can say that it's bad luck. Sometimes you can say that you've played well and lost but in the end you get what you deserve.[LNB] If Benty had taken his chance (when he slipped in the penalty area) then maybe the game would have changed but it didn't.[LNB] Zenden denied that the Wearsiders' position in midtable means that they are struggling for motivation.[LNB] I am not looking backwards.[LNB] My focus is to get tenth spot but that is far away now. West Ham had a fight on their hands and maybe that was the difference.[LNB] I don't want to say they were more up for it than ourselves.[LNB] They got the first goal, their fans got behind them and it gave the team a lift.[LNB] We came for three points and Gianfranco (Zola) being safer after this is not my concern.[LNB] Fair enough to West Ham and their manager. This could be a turning point for them.[LNB] I won't tell you what was said in the dressing room after the game but, put it like this, if you want to compete in this league you need consistency.[LNB] That is the main problem and it's one of the things we must address. In a few games the season will be behind us and we need to start putting that lack of consistency right now.[LNB]
