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Ki Sung-Yueng insists he was not angry about his first half substitution at Norwich and saw it as a good opportunity to refocus on the task of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.
The midfielder returned from the bench at Liverpool in midweek to score and looked very much back to his best after a quiet dip in form in recent weeks, and he believes events at Carrow Road were just the kick up the backside that he needed.
Ki told the Sunderland Echo:
My opinion is that my performance at Norwich was not as good as it has been.
Maybe, I needed to come out and watch the game from outside the pitch. When I came on, I just tried my best. Sometimes players don't perform and they have to go onto the bench. It happens to all players. I didn't take it badly.
I want to be more positive after the Liverpool game. But what I have to do is help this team to win and get three points. That's it. Nothing else. It doesn't matter if I'm on the bench or out of the side.
I just want to keep this team in the Premier League.
It's obviously points, not promises, that will keep the club up, but I think you also have to commend Ki for his attitude. It's not just words either considering his reaction at Anfield.
I'm personally beginning to think that getting Ki further forward may just be the biggest weapon Gus Poyet has in his armory to find the goals that will ensure survival. His role in midweek, which was just behind and to the left of the loan striker, was very interesting and looked very promising with Adam Johnson in the other side. It will be interesting to see if it's reprised against West Ham.
