Wednesday 17 September 2014 08:54, UK
Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole has hailed the influence of manager Gus Poyet on his game.
The 26-year-old had earned a reputation of being too rash in his challenges and making dangerous tackles, but he seems to have mended his game this season.
The former Wigan Athletic defensive midfielder is an important player under Poyet and is delighted to have altered his game.
"When I was younger, I wasn't as calm on the pitch as I could have been," he said.
"Things also happened off the pitch which got blown out of proportion. I am more focused now and feel I am at a good time in my career.
"Cleaning up my act? Yeah. It is just being at a good time in my career. I'm not having to try as hard on the pitch and all the lads, as individuals, feel a lot more settled in knowing what the manager wants from everyone on the pitch.
"I've adapted my game to what the manager wants and that is purely and simply a defensive midfielder. I've learnt an unbelievable amount under him.
"I made mistakes last season but I felt I knew where I was trying to get to with my all round game. I've listened to everything the manager has spoken about in training.
"There has been ups and downs but lately it has been a lot more going in the right direction and that's down to the work I've been doing on the training ground."
