Ricky Sbragia

By The Black Cats
January 12 2009

Sunderland Boss Ricky Sbragia declared himself happy with his sides one all draw away from home at the Riverside where they were faced Gareth Southgate's struggling Middlesbrough. "Boro caused us problems early in the game, especially Downing floating around in the hole. We tried to rectify it during the first half but it proved difficult and then we went behind with the last kick of the half.

"It was a good finish by Alves but the goal was disappointing from our point of view because it came from our throw-in.

"We were too deep in the first half and it gave them space to play in.

"But we upped the tempo in the second half and we got the goal we deserved. Dave Healy has done really well in training and he came on in the second half and made the goal.

Healy, recently the subject of interest from Glasgow Rangers, has said that he does not want to leave the club and Sbragia has also said that he does not want to sell him... Unless someone comes in wtith 'Silly Money'.

"I'm delighted to get something out of the game and, overall, I thought it was a fair result. We forced the issue late on, we showed good togetherness to get back in it.

"I've got a good squad of players and Dave [Healy] is part of that. He's not started a lot of games here but he's turned the corner recently and he deserved that today.

"When I brought him on we tried to play three up front with three in midfield; we got the goal and then I was happy to take a point so I switched it. We probably deserved something from the game.

"I felt we needed fresh legs and I thought Reidy would give us something extra. We made the changes and it worked for us. I thought a draw was a fair outcome.

"The squad I've got have been different class, they work well together and there is a strong bond."

When asked about possible transfers Sbragia said: "Our forward line is decent, I think we have good midfielders, we just need a defender, someone with experience, because we are short there."

It is rumoured that Sunderland are interested in Paul Scharner, a centreal defender currently doing well at Wigan Athletic.