Mannone To Get Another Chance?

Sam Allardyce might just stick with goalkeeper Vito Mannone for the game against Liverpool on Wednesday night, even though he was beaten four times at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, reports the Sunderland Echo

Allardyce gave Mannone his first chance in the first team since he took over from Dick Advocaat, he was looking to create a bit of competition between the two keepers, thus improving performances.

And although Costel Pantilimon’s replacement was beaten four times by a sharp looking Manchester City side, Allardyce didn’t see much in his performance that could see him blamed for the latest bad result.

Mannone had previously made just one appearance for Sunderland this season, that was in September at home to Manchester City in the Capital One cup, again the result was 4-1 to City.

The Liverpool game is one of many future games that the Black Cats could do with winning if they are to get out of the relegation zone before the end of the season and Allardyce is looking for a collection of clean sheets to help that happen.

Allardyce said to the Sunderland Echo: “I haven`t made my mind up yet (on who will start against Liverpool).

“I don`t really see anything that Vito did wrong at City.

“We`ve got a goalkeeper that was Player of the Year not so long ago, and at this stage I needed to put him in and say ‘can you be the hero and make the saves that are needed to get the clean sheet we are looking for?`

“Look at Jack Butland, if I am going to use anyone as an example at the moment.

“I see how many saves he makes when the game is 0-0 and then Stoke end up winning 1-0.

“Everybody gives the praise to the lad who scored the goal, but really Jack Butland has kept them in the position to go and win it.

“We need that from our goalie.

“They need to be the hero sometimes.”