Roker Roundup: Gus Poyet reminiscences & flop former Sunderland striker heads off to Holland

Poyet on the miracle

Ex-Sunderland manager Guy Poyet has again been talking about the great escape Sunderland pulled off at the end of the 2013-14 season.

During an interview with El Desmarque, the Uruguayan told how the home defeat to Everton - thanks to an own goal by Wes Brown - looked to have doomed the club to relegation before an extraordinary run of results pulled us to safety:

We needed a miracle to save ourselves. The next home game, we lost to Roberto Martinez’s Everton with an own goal and you say, “You play an extraordinary game, but you lose the same, so it’s already there.” And we had to play against Manchester City (who won the League) and we drew 2-2.

Then we got Chelsea as a visitor and we beat them 1-2. We beat Cardiff and we go to Old Trafford, that Sunderland didn’t win there in 48 years, and we won 0-1. And in the absence of a match we were already saved. It was really spectacular.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Former loanee set to go Dutch

Watford forward Jerome Sinclair is set to join a club in the Netherlands according to Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.

Sinclair spent last season on loan at both Sunderland and Oxford, but, despite the U’s hoping to re-sign him, it looks like he will be heading abroad instead.

Robinson said that his club had matched the unnamed Dutch club’s offer but believes they have won the race to sign the 22-year-old:

We believe Jerome is going to Holland, even though we offered more than the Dutch club.

We did everything we had to do. We were told if we matched that (the Dutch offer) then it would be done.

We more than matched it, so I was really happy with the fact the board had that clout to do so.

Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Vergini goes home

Former Sunderland defender Santiago Vergini has returned to his homeland of Argentina after a year in Turkey.

The 30-year-old had been plying his trade with Bursaspor but has left the club to sign a deal with Primera Division outfit San Lorenzo.

Vergini will link up with his new/old club during their pre-season preparations and is hoping to meet the high expectations:

I’m coming with many expectations, so between us all hope to fulfill them: we will fight for that.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Election draws close for Sartori

Juan Sartori’s election campaign for the National Party’s candidate as President of Uruguay is drawing to a close, with the party’s internal election taking place this Sunday.

During an internal poll, asking those who intend to vote on Sunday, Sartori is now clear in second place with a 32% share.

Luis Lacalle Pou leads the way on 45% and Sartori is 15% ahead of third place Jorge Larranaga.