Phillips hails Johnson after Nixon’s Sunderland transfer update
Kevin Phillips has heaped praise on Sunderland manager Lee Johnson as he looks to add a goalkeeper to his squad before the transfer cut-off.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Stadium of Light legend said Lee Johnson’s hunt for a new shot-stopper shows he is “not afraid of making big decisions”.
According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon August 23rd, the Black Cats are “desperate” to sign a new goalkeeper.
Academy product Anthony Patterson has started the last three games between the sticks after Lee Burge suffered a leg injury prior to the win over Wimbledon earlier this month.
Burge was named in the EFL League One Team of the Year in April following a season in which he kept 18 clean sheets.
When asked by Football Insider if a new keeper was needed on Wearside, Phillips said: “It gets to a point where you cannot mess about anymore.
“You need to get points on the board early. Lee Johnson is not afraid of making big decisions. If it needs to be done, it has to be done. It is as simple as that.
“As a player you have to accept it, work hard on the training ground and try and get back in.
“I think the search for a new goalkeeper tells you that Lee Johnson is not messing about this season. He is desperate to win promotion this year.
“If he has to make big decision in the first month of the season, so be it. It is not a personal thing, it’s done for the team.”
In other news, Phillips claims Sunderland have been handed a ‘great opportunity’ after a major announcement.