"He's been given the time and the opportunity to do it and I'm pleased for him because he's a decent fella.
"I've just spoken to Alan Pardew after West Ham's defeat up there at the weekend and he's told me to expect a tough game.
"Not that we need any warning. Everyone knows what a hotbed of football it is up in the North East and Sunderland are clearly flying at the moment after getting into the FA Cup semi-finals and stringing a few wins together.
"They are a very direct, forward-thinking team and play off big Kevin Kyle up front. They look to play in your final third and if we sit back, we will be causing ourselves problems."
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