Should Phil Bardsley Play For SAFC Again? By Daniel Smith A couple of months ago, Phil Bardsley’s Sunderland future was bleak. His casino antics after our Premier League survival was confirmed last season, was seemingly the end of Bardo’s seven season stint at the Stadium of Light. However, with a change in manager and the support from fellow players in the press this week, could we still see right back put on the red and white stripes again? After being frozen out of the first team picture, Bardsley has not exactly shown much remorse for his actions. The former Manchester United defender mocked our opening day defeat to Fulham via comment on an Instagram picture. This again looked like the nail in the coffin for Bardo who was fully expected to depart the club in the summer transfer window. Putting aside his off-the-field controversy, it was a surprise to see that no club showed a genuine intent to offer him an escape route from Wearside due to Bardsley’s willingness and passion on the pitch. It was reported in the newspapers this week that Craig Gardner would welcome Bardsley back into the team with open arms. We can read into this whatever we want, but the loyalty shown to Bardsley despite his wrong-doings is actually refreshing to hear in a negative term of events for the football club. However, after just a week and a bit in the job, Gus Poyet has yet to speak about the situation. It will be interesting to hear the new manager’s thoughts on the matter, though, as his less disciplined approach compared to his predecessor Paolo Di Canio, could be the make way for Bardo to be part of the Uruguayan’ s first team plans. One thing standing in the way of Bardsley for the first choice right back slot is the competition with Ondrej Celustka. It’s hard to make a concrete judgement on the Czech international as the team as a whole has performed so poorly this campaign. Nevertheless, Celustka has shown similar traits to former Fans’ Player of the Season, Bardsley. His commitment to a tackle, eagerness to win the ball and energy to bomb forward at any given chance are signs of good potential. Let’s not forget that 24-year-old Celustka earned his first cap for the senior Czech side this month as a testament to a regular role in a Premier League side. If we are to compare the two, on footballing ability solely, it’s fair to say that you would rather have the experience of Bardsley over an inexperienced Celustka as first name on the team sheet. It was only a few years ago when Bardo won the fans vote for Player of the Season. When he plays, there is a reassurance of more solidarity with the back four. With the likes of John O’Shea and Jack Colback to communicate with, there is always going to be a greater understanding in the back line rather than having Czech Celustka, Frenchman Roberge or Diakite and Italian Dossena to operate together. Speaking of Dossena, it’s ironic that PDC signed him with an ongoing injury and decided not to sign Gino Peruzzi, who I think would’ve been a real coup for us in the summer, due to injury concerns. I guess only time will tell on Bardsley’s future at the club. I guess at least Bardo has issued a public apology. I’m sure Poyet is aware of the defender’s current reputation as well as his abilities as a footballer. I’m sure Poyet will acknowledge that the depth of the squad is short and bringing Bardo out of football wilderness will be rooted in his thoughts at some point. For me personally, I think the only way for Bardsley to get the fans back on his side, is to let his football do the talking. So what do you think folks? Would you have him back, yes, or no…
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 13:45:22 +0000
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