Richardson Blasts Murray & Co.

Sunderland coach, Kevin Richardson, has taken a swipe at former Black Cats chairman Bob Murray and his assiociates for their decision not to enter Sunderland reserves into a league this season.

The Wearside outfit became ineligible for a place in the Premier Reserve League due to relegation. They could have entered the Pontins' League but Sunderland's former owners decided the talent of opposition in that league was far too inferior. They therefore chose to organise friendlies as oppose to a set of fixtures.

Richardson told the Journal: 'I was all for getting a team even in the Pontins League.

'It's guaranteed games for the first-team squad, injured players getting back and also having a look at players from the youth team. It's very unfortunate. I would prefer to have been in the Pontins League than have this situation.

'It's important in the position we're in now with a new manager that the lads show what they can do and try and stake a claim to get into the first team. Players have different mentalities. You have good training players and others who are much better in games.

'The manager can suss them out in a game and if needs be think, `He can do me a job' or `I fancy them there'. Hopefully the manager will say, `Ricco, you've given me a problem now'. It's up to him.'

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