In the days leading up to Sunderland’s league fixture against Bury at the Stadium of Light, Danish TV crews had been in town, to capture footage of the newly arrived Thomas Sorensen excelling for his new club.
Following in the footsteps of Peter Schmeichel, Denmark’s under 21 keeper Sorensen was seen as the Manchester United talisman’s successor at international level, and possibly club level too.
It was little wonder Sorensen was making headlines. The keeper had made a big money move to England, and had started the season brilliantly, with eight clean sheets and just 11 goals conceded in his first 17 games for the club. The team as a whole hadn’t done too badly either, remaining unbeaten in all competitions, and registering six wins and seven draws from the first 13 league games.
The film crew had been in attendance at the McAlpine Stadium in midweek as Sunderland - without the injured Kevin Phillips – had secured a 1-1 draw; Kevin Ball following up his late winner at the Hawthorns a few days earlier with the goal for Sunderland, Marcus Stewart netting for the home team.
Sorensen had a very quiet night indeed, though, and with tongue firmly in cheek bemoaned the excellent form of Sunderland’s central defenders who prevented him from being called into action.
Sorensen, pictured the following season
Sorensen, pictured the following season
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I don’t know what the TV crew went back home with, but it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds’ coverage!
I know it might sound strange, but often goalkeepers find it easier to perform well in games where they are being bombarded by shots.
In matches where that happens you are kept on your toes all the time, you get a feel for the ball, and you find it more comfortable to make saves after you have been involved a few times.
In a way, it is more difficult to play well when you know you might only be called upon once or twice a match and you are just trying to keep alert for the time when those couple of moments come.
Sometimes it is not so easy when you know you have to do your job only once or twice in a game because the pressure is on you much more to perform well in those couple of cases. But it is a good education for me because learning to keep your concentration is a very important part of a goalkeeper’s game.
Regardless, Sorensen knew the fact the Danish crew – from the equivalent of the BBC – had come to see him in action was a good sign, and was delighted the way his move to the north east was working out so far.
The side has done very well to remain undefeated as long as it has and I believe that if we can keep the form that we have and get injured players back in the months ahead then we will be in the Premiership next season.
Sorensen could have been forgiven for wishing the crew had stayed on a few days as, in the dying moments of Sunderland’s home fixture against Bury - On This Day in 1999 – he produced a spectacular save to secure a tight 1-0 win against Neil Warnock’s team.
While fixtures at the Stadium of Light so far this season had seen a fair amount of entertainment – 18 goals in six games, including 7-0 and 5-0 hammerings of Oxford and Tranmere respectively – this was a tight, gruelling affair, with Bury intent on stifling Sunderland’s attack and killing the game as a contest.
Phillips had started the season strongly – but an injury at home to Chester in the League Cup ruled him out for more than 3 months
Phillips had started the season strongly – but an injury at home to Chester in the League Cup ruled him out for more than 3 months
And, with Kevin Phillips sidelined, the home team had little answer to the questions posed by the Gigg Lane team.
The first half had ended goalless, a long ranger from Kevin Ball that flew past the post one of the home team’s few efforts of note, and the second half told a similar story – Sunderland with the bulk of possession, but barely able to create a clear chance.
The subdued crowd were becoming incredibly anxious and frustrated, and substitute Daniele Dichio was introduced late on as a replacement for Michael Bridges, as Reid rolled the dice. With just over 10 minutes left on the clock, it was the former QPR striker who sealed all three points, heading home at the back post from a deep Gray cross, much to everyone’s relief.
Dichio in action the previous week vs Huddersfield
Dichio in action the previous week vs Huddersfield
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Sunderland had to defend with their lives in the closing stages, as Bury sought an equaliser. Niall Quinn, who’d practically dropped into the centre of defence to see the game out, was dominant in the air – but it was Sorensen who produced a late moment of magic to seal the win.
Deep into injury time, With the game entering its final moments, Bury left back Dean Barrick drove a pile driver of a shot towards the goal from all of 30 yards. Sorensen – who once more hadn’t had much at all to do – produced a stunning save and sent Sunderland back to the top of the league.
Sunderland remained in top spot for the rest of the season – and this game served as a good reminder that grit, resilience and determination are just as important in a successful team as skilful football and a hatful of goals.
Sunderland 1-0 Bury
Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Melville, Butler, Gray, Summerbee, Rae, Ball, Johnston, Quinn, Bridges (Dichio 66). Subs not used: craddock, Mullin.
Bury: Kiely, Woodward, Luketti, Billy, Barrick, Swailes, Patterson, Daws, Ellis, D’Jaffo (Preece 83), Johnrose (Matthews 83). Sub not used: Foster.