Alan Smith: Sunderlands pay cut threat helps to concentrate players minds

By Alan Smith 900AM GMT thirteen March 2010

Golden shot Sunderland"s players applaud during win over Bolton Photo ACTION IMAGES

Maybe it wasnt usually the motivational powers of physical education instructor Steve Bruce, or in truth the munificence of their visitors.

It turns out, you see, that each player fasten Sunderland these days contingency determine to a 40 per cent income cut should the bar go down. Failure is reflected in each contract, that is accessible since if there is one thing on trial to combine a footballers mind, the that kind of monster blow to his wallet.

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Perhaps the hazard of relegation, then, had spin a small as well real. With the awaiting of that extreme income rebate flourishing some-more probable by the week, maybe the Sunderland players motionless it was time to liven up.

If so, it usually proves the point that performance-related compensate should be some-more prevalent in an epoch when rich players can get far as well comfortable. Too often, a clubs relegation equates to small to someone with a proviso in his stipulate stipulating he can leave for an concluded fee. Either that or his salary stay the same so, distinct majority backroom staff who lose their jobs to cost-cutting, the player carries on as if zero has happened.

So tip outlines to Niall Quinn, Sunderlands chairman, for insisting on the proviso when deliberating conditions with intensity signings.

Not usually does the move guarantee the clubs future, it encourages players to stay on their toes.

Using his noddle

To measure 7 uninterrupted headed goals, as Wayne Rooney has right away managed, is piece fluke and piece the outcome of great service. Mostly, though, the down to the Manchester United striker operative tough in precision by going by a little customary drills.

A manager will get dual servers, one on the right, one on the left, to cranky balls in spin towards the forward.

It competence be that Rooney waits in the chastisement box on his own with usually a goalkeeper to flog or is since a defender who doesnt plea but check for the round but usually gets in the approach to supplement some-more realism.

In the main, the all about timing the run to encounter the cranky and timing the header to have great contact. In this regard, the critical that the striker knows when the cranky is coming. In a match, theres zero some-more annoying than creation a nearby post run, say, usually to see the winger check his cross.

Consistency predictability even is thus consequential when it comes to this relationship, as a outcome the success of Antonio Valencia. With the Ecuadorean, Rooney knows whats entrance and when, as against to Cristiano Ronaldo, who valid some-more formidable to read.

City"s watchful game

It contingency have felt similar to a prolonged and frustrating dual weeks for Manchester City. Because after their majority appropriate outcome of the deteriorate in violence Chelsea 4-2, theyd have longed for to flog on but serve happening rather than cling to about for the subsequent match.

That subsequent match, whats more, has an ungainly see about it. As explained above, Sunderland should be in decent intoxicating beverage at the Stadium of Light tomorrow to exam the eagerness of this City side.

But if Carlos Tvez and Craig Bellamy opposite conflict with the same harmful force they did in the second half at Stamford Bridge, the bar can take an additional critical step brazen in their office of fourth place.

Keeping it real

How lovely to see a little supporters keep a viewpoint on things, to not provide each better similar to a family bereavement. To majority Burnley fans, this top-flight journey is there to be enjoyed rather than endured - an perspective that should essentially assistance the players going in to high-pressure games similar to Saturdays revisit of Wolves.

One to watch

Nicklas Bendtner the not usually his goals, the striker is right away really critical to Arsenals figure in a pretension assign that stops off at Hull on Saturday.