Source: Northern_Echo
Kaboul shows what Sunderland have missed out on
YOUNES Kaboul claims he would have been playing for Sunderland, not scoring against them, had Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy not treated him like an animal' when Roy Keane attempted to lure him to the Stadium of Light. Kaboul was one of four Spurs players Keane targeted in the summer of 2008, but while Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda all ended up moving to Wearside, Kaboul opted to join Portsmouth instead. The centre-half returned to haunt the Black Cats on Saturday, scoring a stoppagetime equaliser to deprive Steve Bruce's side of two valuable points. But while Keane questioned Kaboul's desire when he shunned Sunderland 18 months ago, the Pompey defender claims it was Levy who drove him to Fratton Park. The reason I did not come here was Daniel Levy, he said. He wanted to treat the four of us like cows. I said to him, Look, I have a personality and a mind of my own, I am not a dog'. He told me, I have a flight for you with Malbranque, Tainio and Chimbonda. You are all going to Sunderland'. I said, No, I go where I want, not where you want me to go'. Sunderland are a decent club, but I do not like people imposing anything on me, like I am a dog or something. Life is not like this you have to have respect. Kaboul's equaliser prevented Sunderland recording their first win in three games, and punished the hosts' failure to build on Darren Bent's 23rd-minute opener. Andy Reid's 80th-minute free-kick was the closest they came to a second the Irishman struck a 25-yard effort against the crossbar but too many of the home side's efforts failed to find the target. The most memorable was a particularly wayward strike from Nyron Nosworthy, and after making 109 appearances without a goal, the cult hero admits he would have to consider calling it a day if he ever broke his duck. I suppose that was a Nyron finish', he joked. My radar was well off and my Sat Nav must have been in my back pocket. If I ever scored, that would be it. I would finish my career, there and then, on a high. If I put one into the back of the net, no matter how, that would be that. But for that to happen, the Tom Tom needs to be working properly. Nosworthy was Sunderland's best player as he made his first start since October, and while Phil Bardsley will be available after suspension when Aston Villa visit Wearside tomorrow, the former Manchester United defender might have to settle for a place on the bench. Hopefully, that will be enough to keep me in the side, said Nosworthy. The result has taken the edge off my performance but, personally, I thought I did fairly well. Football is about entertainment, and the more I can entertain people the better. But obviously as a defender, the most important thing is defending and doing my job.