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Sunderland Chief Scout 'quits post'
In a story written by Sunderland misery-reveler Alan Nixon for the Sun it has been revealed that chief scout Mick Doherty has elected to quit his role at the club.
Doherty, famed for being the man that 'discovered' Wayne Rooney and Seamus Coleman, was brought to Wearside upon the arrival of David Moyes as manager last summer. He had previously held notable scouting positions at Everton, Chelsea and German club Hamburg.
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Doherty was in fact credited with bringing Papy Djilobodji to Sunderland last summer - a potentially sackable offence in itself - though very little about him has been said since.
In the article on the Sun's website, Nixon has claimed that Doherty 'has now chosen to walk out on the job at the Stadium of Light'.
Anyone bothered? Nah? Great. We move along.
Naismith: 'Moyes is a good manager'
Current Norwich City attacker and once-Sunderland transfer target Steven Naismith has claimed today in an interview with the BBC that David Moyes is a good manager.
Naismith was signed from Rangers by Moyes when he was Everton manager back in 2012 and remained with the Toffees until early 2016, moving on to the Canaries in the transfer window just before they were relegated back to the Championship.
The Scotland international was heavily linked with a move to Sunderland last summer and a deal seemed close on deadline day but, for one reason or another, he remained at Carrow Road.
To the bemusement of many, Sunderland failed to sign a striker in that transfer window and the rest, well, is history.
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Speaking to the BBC's Kenny Macintyre, he said:
I learned a lot from him. His attention to detail is massive. I still think he'll be a success somewhere. He took the Man United job at the wrong time - the pressure on that is so tough.
He went on to add:
David Moyes is a good manager, no doubt about that.
I know a few Sunderland fans that might disagree with you there, Steve, but more power to you.
Donald Love is looking forward to the season ahead
Sunderland right-back Donald Love has been speaking to SAFC.com about the season ahead, his hopes and aspirations for the future and our opening fixture with Derby County.
The youngster - signed last season from Manchester United - has not gotten off to the best of starts since arriving at the club and with a drop into the Championship presenting more opportunities for Sunderland's youngsters it is expected that Love will play a bigger role in our first team ahead of the new season.
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In the interview, the Scotland U21 international said:
Last year was up and down so I want to cement my place in the team. Everyone aims for the same thing when you get back in training and that’s to be in the starting XI on the opening day of the season.
Everything is now about that first game against Derby County.
We’ve got some big games at the start of the season – Sheffield United were promoted last season and they’ll be up for it – but we want to beat these teams.
It was a long season last year but now we have a fresh start and we can’t wait to get back at it!
Though he has failed to impress me thus far I'd absolutely Love it if he came good next season - here's hoping he can prove his doubters wrong and stake his claim as our first choice right back.